EKF English National Championships 2009

2009-03-20

The SKA Karate Team 3rd kyu’s and above competed at one of the most important events of the year, the EKF National Junior and Senior Championships, on Saturday 21st March 2009 in Sheffield. The squad had less than adequate preparation for this competition and a lot of the youngsters also moved up an age category, so it was going to be tough to achieve many podium finishes. They did however look the part in their new tracksuits and t-shirts which they got to wear for the first time! Thanks to A&A Chauffeur cars for their generous sponsorship again this year. The SKA formed part of the successful Hanko-Ryu team.

The team kata was first and although ELLIE BARTON, SIAN BARTON and CHLOE PHARO produced an outstanding performance for 10-12yr olds they could not match the power of their teenage rivals and lost 3-0 in the first round. Unfortunately there was no repercharge in any junior events which does not allow for fair results when the flag system is in place. This is a shame as it is one of the most important competitions in the English karate calendar.

MICHAEL HOLMES, who won the 9yrs and under British Championships at just 7yrs old, was the favourite to win his group. He performed very well and took a well deserved gold to become English Kata Champion of 2009. Michael took the only gold for SKA but Reece Taylor won Hanko-Ryu’s other gold in the male senior kata which puts him in a good position to be selected for the senior European Championships in Croatia later this year so well done to him.

In the 10-11yrs kata EDWARD VAN MEERKERK was the SKA’s sole male competitor having recently moved up to this group. He has improved a lot lately and took a well earned bronze in a large group, loosing only to the winner. In the girls section SIAN BARTON also only just moved up to this group but took a bronze. ELLIE BARTON, who hoped to retain her title from last year, had to settle for silver this year even though her overall standard has risen a lot.

The 12-13yrs kata saw RYAN BEAVINGTON match Edward’s bronze as he stormed through to the semi-final after 4 tough rounds. He was joined on the podium by James Davies of Hanko-Ryu who also won a bronze – well done boys. In the girls section none of the SKA competitors progressed through the first round as they were over powered by older girls. CHLOE PHARO, LOUISE HICKS and BETHANY SCOULDING who are all 12yrs old, need to work hard if they are going to start matching the power of the winners in this group. Next year they will have the advantage of being at the top end of the age range in this group so hopefully results will go their way then.

CLARE BONELLO and SIMON BONELLO decided to compete after a very long time. Clare did well to win a bronze in her group loosing only 2-1 to the winner but she stole the bronze 5-0. With next to no training this was a very good result. Simon went all the way to the semi’s after 4 exciting rounds. He just missed out on a spot in the final and then lost in the repercharge but he too did very well considering his lack of training and competition practise.

The kumite results did not go SKA’s way at all! Some decisions were unlucky and others were fair but despite some good performances no SKA competitors won a medal in kumite! Hopefully this was a one off as some of them certainly had the potential to go further.

Coach Clare said ‘we all left on high spirits and we met our target of one gold. It is fantastic for such a small club to have a new English Champion and considering the SKA Karate Team are all from one small school club they do exceptionally well! We all look forward to the rest of the year where we plan on going from strength to strength!’. Oousshhaaaaaa!'

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