Published: Friday, 29th August, 2008 9:30am

Karate Calum is the king of the wado world

KARATE champion Calum Robb fought his way to the world wado-kai title in Canada last Saturday.

The 23-year-old, from Haddington, used the 'bitter pill' of defeat in a world junior final three years ago as motivation for his success.

Speaking from Vancouver after his title win in the over-80kg category, Robb told Courier Sport: 'It is pretty surreal at the moment to think I am the world wado-kai champion. I am really overwhelmed.

'A big reason that this has come about was because I was beaten in the junior world all-styles final in 2005.

'I was ahead for most of the fight, but lost it in the last few seconds.

'I was devastated at the time. It was a bitter pill to swallow.

'But since then it has made me even hungrier for success.'

Robb also had to overcome a recent injury in the lead up to the championships in Canada last week.

The PhD student at Heriot Watt University was selected for the British team that took part in the World University Karate Championships last month in Poland.

However, he injured his hamstring whilst training the day before the competition.

He was unable to move properly or kick with the injured leg and, not surprisingly, was beaten in the first round of the heavyweight category.

On Robb"s return to Scotland, it was established that, although the injury was serious, surgery was not required.

Robb then underwent a course of intensive acupuncture and physiotherapy sessions undertaken by the sports team at Heriot Watt.

The sessions were a success and the hamstring healed within six weeks.

Fully fit, Robb was able to take his place in the Scotland squad for last week"s World Wado-kai Karate Championships.

Fighting in the heavyweight category last Friday, he won convincingly against Canadian and Russian opponents in the first two rounds.

In the semi-finals, he overpowered Irish fighter James Brunton (9-1).

On finals day last Saturday Robb"s opponent was the Japanese champion, Ono.

Robb used his superior reach to frustrate and outsmart his opponent and won the gold medal by an emphatic 12-4 scoreline.

He is now looking forward to the only two titles he has still to win.

He said: 'Now that I am world wado-kai champion the next steps up are the European and World all-style titles.

'I am hoping that my success last week will be the springboard to having a real go at winning one or both of these.'

As well as his dedication to the sport, Robb"s puts his success down to support from, amongst others, his mum and dad, girlfriend Kelly and coach Hamish Adam.