An Alva karate coach has been crowned world champion just 10 weeks after undergoing knee surgery.
Aria Pascual, 25, claimed gold and two silvers at the JKS World Championships in Brazil last month, defying the odds after a serious knee injury threatened to sideline her from the competition.
Aria said: "About four months prior to the competition, I heavily injured my knee and then 10 weeks out of the competition I had to undergo knee surgery.
"I had to go through meniscal surgery where basically part of my meniscus is removed from my knee.
"I went through a lot of rehab and training and programming like specific for me and then to still go out and get a world championships and a vice world champions medal was pretty good."
The Alva-based coach travelled with the JKS Scotland team, and despite her injury and limited recovery time, Aria said she felt mentally and physically ready on the day.
She said: "It was hard.
"It was really, really mentally challenging.
"I was unable to walk for like a week or so, because I had to basically get back to weight bearing when I was on crutches. I had to be super strict.
"I was disciplined enough and I got there, so it was definitely worth it."
The 25-year-old said she remained confident throughout her recovery, with no intention of settling for anything less than competing.
She said: "I always prayed for it and always knew I was gonna have to, like there was no plan B."
Aria, who began karate at the age of five, has more than 20 years of experience and has previously earned European and world titles.
She now runs Keizoku Karate in Alva, which she founded in January 2025 and currently has around 40 members.
Coaching has become a central focus for her, and she says her students’ achievements are just as rewarding as her own.
She said: "For me, when a student passes their black belt it’s a win for me as much as it is for them.
"My whole ethos is about helping someone be better and reach their best."
The 25-year-old recently supported her students through a club grading, with all participants successfully passing.
She said: "Every single one of them were fantastic.
"All of them passed and then I'd arranged from like tiger cubs like a three years old all the way up to like gentlemen in like their late 40s 50s like grading and that's the kind of age span of my club.
"They do the clubbing themselves really well."
About 30 of her students took part in the recent grading, which took place in Dunfermline.
Those who missed out will have another opportunity in December.
Aria said she is working closely with schools to introduce more children to karate and is keen to welcome new members.
She said: "There's a hub there that's willing to take on folks that are just like beginners.
"I think there's always this thing about karate is you need to be good before you come in and you really don't.
"We all started off not knowing anything."
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