EKK

27th February 2010

The first major competition on the England Karate Kan (Association) calendar for 2010, the AMA International Open Championships, took place last weekend. A relatively large competition, the International held at Ponds Forge in Sheffield saw competitors from over twenty countries battling for titles in both kata and kumite at the two-day event.

Competing in the junior kata for girls were ELIZA JONES and JAYE GEARING. Being in the lower end of their age category resulted in the girls being pitted against strong competition from the start and neither could progress on this occasion. MICHAEL PERKINS, competing in the junior boys event, progressed further, taking a BRONZE medal after three rounds.

NATHAN JAY and ALFIE WISE competed in the Dan grade kata events. Nathan survived to the second round, as Alfie edged in front to collect a BRONZE. CHARLOTTE BOWIE and NATASHA NUSSBAUM competed in the Dan grade female events, with Charlotte reaching the final and collecting a SILVER medal, as Natasha collected SILVER and BRONZE medals in her events.

The boys fighting team consisted of Alfie, ANDREW JAY, GAVIN GRIFFITHS, LUKA MALINIC and ALEX MUNRO. Still relatively new to competition, Alex and Gavin gained valuable experience. Luka and Andrew were unlucky in their rounds and could not survive to the medal stages. Alfie lasted three rounds before losing out to a tough opponent.

The girls’ fighting was more positive and despite some tough fights, both Eliza and Jaye showed their willpower as competitors by staying strong on the mats. This proved a good tactic as the girls reached the third round. Unfortunately however the competition proved to be too tough to progress, but Eliza and Jaye secured the last BRONZE medals of the day with their performances.

Collecting seven medals and certainly valuable competition knowledge ahead of the new season, Chief Instructor Sensei Enzo commented; 'After a long time off the mats, the team were finally on the tatami again and I was pleased to see the level of effort of the squad as a whole. The lack of competition practice of late definitely showed this weekend and although we have so much work to do still I am sure the squad will improve throughout this season and will see this through with absolute determination as always.

I would like to thank the EKK coaches Howard and Claire for doing a good job as usual making sure the competitors were at the right tatami also the team for showing sporting attitude and etiquette on the day'.

Arigatou Gosaimashita!!!!!!!!!!!!!