Vavara Nicolous with her certificate and trophy.

15 year-old Oasis Academy Coulsdon student, Vavara Nicoloua, from Old Coulsdon has been awarded the title of 'Student of the Year 2013' in her Bu-Jutsu Ryu Karate-Do* class.

Vavara has been training for the past four years with Alan Sadler, her ‘Sensei’ (teacher), in Bu-Jutsu Ryu Karate-Do Club in Warlingham every Wednesday and loves the sport. She has competed in inter-club competitions in previous years, but she is particularly proud of being awarded this honour as she said there was some tough competition for the title.

Vavara said: “ I was completely surprised to receive the Award and couldn’t believe my name had been called out. My ambition is to become a black belt in a few years’ time and finish my training in Japan.”

Associate Principal at Oasis Academy, Andy Booth, said: “We are all extremely proud of Vavara’s achievement; she applies grit and dedication to her sport and academic studies and her success is fully deserved.

*The objective of Bu-Jutsu Ryu Karate-Do practice is to transform the body, the mind, and the spirit through prolonged, intensive training. It is designed to develop an improved state of physical, mental, and spiritual unity and harmony and in turn will lead to the attainment of superior ability, awareness and understanding.