What started as a reluctant after-school activity suggested by her dance teacher has transformed into a passionate pursuit of excellence. Growing up in Halifax, she moved from barely tolerating karate classes to becoming a dedicated athlete who represents England in international competitions. Her story isn't about superhuman abilities, but about persistence, dedication, and relentlessness.

Rebecca's journey starts in a local club in Halifax called Kings Karate, after gaining her black belt at just 14, the real game-changer came when regional coaches started noticing her potential. At 18, she was invited to national trials. Through a series of training sessions, she was evaluated by national coaches who saw something special in her technique and determination. When she finally received the letter confirming her place on the England national team, it was more than just a personal achievement. It meant training alongside the best karate athletes in the country, experiencing a new level of competition, and realising that her years of local training had prepared her for something bigger.

The pinnacle of her journey so far came at the English Championships. "I remember being stood on the mat, and I remember the flags haven’t even gone yet. And I remember thinking, I know I've won, I know I've won, and I know I've got the title," she recalls. After years of training, financial struggles, and moments of self-doubt, winning the English title represented something deeper than a trophy. "Afterwards, I just remember being just so proud of myself and knowing that I didn't give up," she explains. The victory crystallized all her previous sacrifices; it wasn't about proving something to others but about proving to herself that persistence pays off.

Although, this newfound opportunity competing for England wasn't without its mental challenges. Rebecca candidly admits "I go through patches where I want to quit. I don't want to do it anymore." The competitive world of karate can be emotionally taxing, with the constant pressure for perfection and to improve. Balancing university studies, work, and intense training became a delicate juggling act. However, as a university student here at Leeds Beckett University, we have been able to support Rebecca with a full membership and access to our facilities, in the hope that this would help alleviate some of the pressures of being a full-time student-athlete. "You're doing university or work, and you're trying to get two, three hours of training in a night," she explains. 

On top of this, the pandemic became an unexpected pivot point in her athletic journey. While many athletes saw their careers stall, she experienced a unique form of interruption that fundamentally altered her competitive trajectory. "Because of COVID, I missed out on my entire under-21 career" Rebecca explains. Those critical years, typically a golden period for developing athletes, were essentially erased. International competitions disappeared, training became sporadic, and the momentum she had been building came to an abrupt halt.

The timing was particularly cruel, catching her at a crucial developmental stage of her athletic career. When competitions slowly resumed, she found herself playing catch-up. "People know what they're doing, and I don't," she admits. While other athletes had maintained consistent training and competition schedules in countries with different pandemic responses, she was essentially starting over. This meant for an intense turn around in training, rapidly transitioning from under-21 to senior competitions with limited preparation. The mental toll was significant, "I had to try and do some senior competitions even though I felt like I was only just in the under-21 category," she explains. The COVID-19 era became more than just a pause in her athletic career; it became a transformative period of personal and athletic growth. By the time international competitions reopened, she wasn't just returning to her previous level, but emerging stronger, more determined.

Rebecca showed her strength, despite her setbacks to go on to become;

• English International Senior Champion 2025
• English International U21 Champion 2024
• British International U21 and Senior Champion 2024
• British 4 Nations Champion 2024
• Bronze at Commonwealth Club Championships, Birmingham 2022.

Looking ahead, Rebecca is determined to keep competing. She envisions one day opening her own karate club and helping the next generation discover the sport she's come to love. "I'll definitely have my own karate club one day 100%" she says, stressing the importance of putting her all into teaching when the time comes. Rebecca would love to see more women in karate and believes that reframing martial arts as a practical life skill, especially for self-defence, could bring more people into the fold. "In this day and age, there is nothing better that you can learn than protect yourself," she reflects. She hopes that by promoting karate as accessible and valuable both for fitness and confidence, more people will be inspired to step onto the mat, regardless of their experience or background.

Article written by LBU Sports Journalism MSc Student, Holly Graham.