St Martin’s School pupil Holly Reid, who already has silver and bronze awards from previous karate world championships, achieved three grade 8s, three grade 7s, and two Grade 6s in her exams.
The 16-year-old started karate in primary school and began competing before the Covid pandemic.
She now wants to add a world championship gold medal to her collection.
Holly said: “I feel really cool doing karate, and it is good for general fitness.
“It has been a good thing to do alongside my GCSEs; a way of punching the stress out.”
Holly plans to study computer science, maths, and physics in sixth form, while continuing her karate.
She has her eyes set on a career in cyber security, but aspires to achieve a higher Dan black belt and a world gold medal.
Headteacher Jamie Foster said: “Balancing the intense demands of competing with the academic rigour of GCSEs is no easy feat—yet Holly has done just that with unwavering determination and excellence.
“Her ability to manage both at such a high level is nothing short of inspirational.
“We couldn’t be prouder.”
