Obese Sutton teenager loses a third of body weight through martial arts (From Surrey Comet)

Obese Sutton teenager loses a third of body weight through martial arts

7:20am Wednesday 6th May 2009 in

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A morbidly obese teenager who weighed 30 stone two years ago has shed nearly a third of his body weight after taking up karate.

While most slimmers turn to dieting pills or nutritional shakes, Luke Symes became a dedicated exponent of the ancient Japanese martial art.

The 21-year-old carpet fitter from Wallington cut an imposing sight when he first entered the dojo at Sutton Arena Kyokushin Karate Club.

But after losing more than nine stone through endless practising, he now possesses an array of kicks and blows to match his sizeable frame.

Last month Luke, a low-grade Kyu belt, came fourth in the heavyweight category of his first full-contact international knockdown competition.

His instructor Tom Smith said: “The transformation in Luke has been amazing.

"When he first came here, I had some reservations because we warm up by running around the dojo and he couldn’t run at all, he was too heavy.

“He had been hoodwinked into going to training by his brother and dad who already attended, and was a bit down because of his weight.

"How he worked as a carpet installer, I have no idea.

“But he steadily shed the weight and in the last two months made a dramatic weight loss due to the competition.

"His performance at the weekend was tremendous given his weight and ability.

"There is still a long way to go but he has real focus now and can even sprint around the arena.”

Karate, meaning “empty hand”, is billed as an ideal method of fighting childhood obesity because of the focus on individual development, stylised movements and self-control.

Regular training classes are held at Sutton Arena, Wallington Guide Hall and the Phoenix Centre, Wallington, throughout the week.

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