The twin sisters also had to fight each other for the first time in competition at this level during tournament in Latvia
Twin sisters from Suffolk are taking the karate world by storm.
Taia and Tahjae Kersey, who live in Ipswich, started training in the sport at the age of three.
Since then, the 16-year-olds have regularly won medals for Karate England and have big ambitions to make an impact on the world stage.
Most recently, they represented the nation at the World Union of Karate-Do Federations (WUKF) European tournament in Latvia, securing medals galore.
And they even had to fight each other for the first ever time at this level during a gold medal match up.
The pair, who both study at Suffolk New College, train at the Evolution Karate Academy in Ipswich, and they have ambitions to become world champions.
Taia, who is studying on a Forensics and Criminal Investigation course at the college, said: “My mum started when she was little and then became a karate coach. She helped us get into the sport when we were three. I like it as you get to travel and meet good people.
“At the last tournament (in Riga) I got two gold medals and a silver in team and individual events. The aim is to do this professionally or go into coaching.”
Previously Taia and her sister have been to America, Italy, France, Scotland, Poland, Sweden and now Latvia. And despite being in the sport for over a decade, she has never had to fight her sister competitively in a final of this magnitude.
On this, Taia said: “It was a good experience. I won and was gracious in victory.”
Tahjae (also 16 from Ipswich) – who is studying on a Health and Social Care course at Suffolk New College – said: “I got two silvers and a gold medal (in team and individual events in Latvia). Going up against my sister was our first final together at a world and European level. We train together so it’s not such a big deal. I was happy for my sister.
It was a good day for the family. The plan is to go as far as I can in the sport.”
Next up they have more competitions in the UK, and they hope to go to the world championships that will be held in Romania in July 2026.
Craig Shimmon is the Head of Marketing at Suffolk New College. Craig said, “We are thrilled for Taia and Tahjae. They are a real inspiration to everyone at the college.”