A MARTIAL arts expert from Bury is celebrating podium finishes in three events following the United World Kung-Fu/Wushu Championships.

Patricia Basterra, from Greenmount, took part in the championships which are contested between exponents from a range of martial arts styles.

Travelling to Florida to take part at the end of last month, Patricia proved a real force to be reckoned with among the 1,000 competitors.

Her hat-trick of third places earned her a plaque in each of these hard-fought competitions:

Advanced hand form in the Wu style of Tai Chi Chuan, which has the fearsome translation "supreme ultimate fist".

Advanced moving pushing hands.

Advanced restricted step pushing hands.

The pushing hands competitions are open to any martial arts style and opponents use arm movements to score points.

Patricia, pictured in rather menacing pose, has 12 years of Tai Chi Chuan experience under her belt and teaches its finer points including the handling of weapons.

She said: "Usually I get my students to win competitions for me. It is not ethical for teachers to compete against their own students.

"But none of mine were taking part in Orlando so I went instead.

"In some ways I have proved my worth as a teacher by taking part."

The world championships take place every year but the 1997 event was Patricia's first involvement.

As a result of her outstanding success, Patricia has been invited to another top competition in California next year.

She said: "I was invited to take part while judging a competition in Newcastle in April.

"The world championships is THE number one event for the best competitors.

"I was surprised to do so well, not being used to competition.

"You try to excel as a teacher and tend to lose sight of your abilities as a competitor."

As a result of her outstanding success, Patricia has been invited to another competition in California next year.

She added: "The event next June pits the best against the best, black belt against black belt.

"My success in Florida has given me a lot of confidence. The competition next year will be of a very high standard.

"A lot of very fit people will be taking part and winning will come down to who performs best on the day.

"I will go over there and give a good account of myself."

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