Young Lichfield chorister is secret world karate champion
HE spends hours bouncing sweet-sounding high notes off the towering stone walls of Lichfield Cathedral.
But as he dons his full-length robes, squeaky-clean chorister Thomas Adams holds a burning desire to whip out the most polished of karate moves.
A secret to many, the 10-year-old not only holds a shining spot with Lichfield Cathedral's Choir but is also a world kickboxing and karate champion.
Thomas walked away triumphant at the World Kickboxing and Karate Union's global contest in Ireland, thrashing competitors years older than him.
The schoolboy, who delved into kickboxing and karate aged six, said: "I'm really happy. It was hard work, I practised every day.
"I really like it. I just like the fighting and all the stuff I have to do. I have always loved singing as well."
Thomas, who attends Lichfield Cathedral School and trains at Lichfield Sport Karate Club, travelled to Killarney to battle it out for the top spot in August.
He left the championships with his first world title after perfecting moves for hours each week, while learning to play piano and guitar.
The Lichfield youngster also juggled five weekly services at the cathedral, failing to let his endless training beat him - to the amazement of loved ones.
Mother Harriet Adams, whose 16-year-old son James is an under-18s national champion in karate, said: "We are just really proud of Thomas. he works incredibly hard.
"He never seems to get tired. He just takes everything in his stride, it's the way it doesn't phase him. He has got a really strong work ethic.
"He never gives less than 100 per cent when training and he never says he is tired."
Dad Michael Adams, who is a psychiatric nurse, added: "He deservers it for the work he puts in."
Despite being named the global champion of the contest, the Year 6 pupil is now preparing to fight for his first national title next year.
He is even setting his sights on defending his world title, with big hopes of remaining undefeated.
Head of the choir Ben Lamb said: "I think it's absolutely amazing. He is one of the most well behaved choristers you could imagine.
"To discover he has this under his belt is something of a shock. He is a fantastic chorister, you really wouldn't have known he has this secret passion."
