Teenage karate champion hopes to win £5k for Sheffield Children’s Hospital

Louie Anson is in with the chance to win £5k for Sheffield Children’s Hospital

Louie Anson, aged 14, from Mosborough is one of four finalists in TGI Friday’s #FridaysFeeling competition, which is offering the winner a £2,000 cash prize plus a £5,000 donation to an NHS charity or trust of their choice.

Louie, who is in Year 9 at Eckington School, is now going head-to-head against the three other finalists, who have until 10am tomorrow to get as many votes as they can.

“Louie is absolutely ecstatic to have made it to the final,” said his mum, Julie.

“It’s crazy in our house right now, and we’re just hoping that people will take the time to visit the link and vote for him.”

Louie’s act involves showing off his bo staff skills; bo staff is a weapon used in some martial art.

The winner of the competition will also get the chance to perform at TGI’s VIP Covent Garden re-launch party.

Louie has been learning karate since the age of three under the guidance of Kady Robinson and Chloe Flower at Unite Martial Arts based at De Hood, Manor Top.

Louie is a black belt and trains five days a week. He is also a world champion in several different styles of martial arts and has competed around the world.

He also competes and performs bo staff routines alongside his twin sister, Alicia.

Julie said: “It’s amazing. He just loves it and can’t get enough of it.

“I’m so proud of Louie and Alicia doing it individually, but when they come together it brings tears to my eyes. My whole world is on the mat, together.”

And Julie reveals that, while the pair have been missing their martial arts classes in lockdown, they’ve been able to keep up with the rest of the club via virtual sessions on Zoom, and plenty of practice in the garden together on sunny days.

To vote for Louie, visit TGI Friday’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages and like, comment on, and share his video.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to The Star website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.