Mayon’s parents, who are from Sri Lanka, applied for his citizenship in 2020 and are awaiting a response from the Home Office.
Mayon was inspired by his mother, who is also a black belt and who he watched train from the age of three.
He said: “Karate is the only thing that I love.
“The one thing stopping me is the one thing I can’t control.
“The passport situation. It really hurts.”
His parents moved from Sri Lanka to the UK more than 20 years ago as asylum seekers, which means even though he was born in the UK he still had to apply for citizenship, which they did for the second time in 2020.
They said without citizenship Mayon was unable to take part in the championships which are taking place on 22 November in Portugal.
The Queen Elizabeth Grammar School student said: “Even though everyone calls me the ‘karate kid’ it’s a bit of a shame that I can’t go because all I’ve wanted is this.
“But I’m going to do everything I can.
“When I get my citizenship and passport, I’m going to win for my mum and dad.”
The coach for the Karate Union of Great Britain England national squad, which had selected him, said the situation was “disappointing”.
Sensei Frank Brennan said: “I was even more disappointed and shocked to discover that his application was made four years ago.
“This situation is now jeopardising his attendance at the European championship and the opportunity to represent his country.”
