AMA Southern Championships 2009
2009-05-10
The juniors from the SKA Karate Team competed at the AMA Southern Open Championships in Reading on the 10th May 2009. This competition always attracts top squads and this occassion was no exception. The target set by the coaches was 4 golds and once again the team did not disappoint as they returned home with a creditable 4 golds, 3 silvers and 4 bronze medals - thats 11 medals from 11 competitors!
TONI SHERING has improved a lot this year and although she lost in the first round of the girls 9yrs and under, she was a potential medallist. She lost to the winner in the first round and as there was no repecharge she could not go for the bronze. It was an open grade event and Toni proved she is very capable for a 5th kyu. In the boys 9yrs and under the SKA representatives provided a good show. MICHAEL HOLMES was the favourite to win but has been known for his errors lately, so to get to the final after 3 rounds of outstanding performances was a relief for him and the coaches! His younger brother, LEWIS HOLMES, took gold in the 6th kyu and below kata last weekend but this was an open grade event and a very different class of competitors. Lewis is only 6yrs old and it amazes everyone how good he is for his age and grade. He won 2 rounds and then had a very tough semi-final against a boy who recently beat Michael. Lewis took the round 2-1 and made it an all SKA final. Michael won the final 3-0 but credit to both boys for outstanding performances.
In the 10-12yrs boys open grade kata, RYAN BEAVINGTON had a tough draw and did not manage to medal. EDWARD VAN MEERKERK won 4 rounds to get to the final where he bravely performed a brand new kata. Edward has shown a tremendous amount of improvement this year and took a well deserved silver in a tough group. He had also been suffering with illness the week leading up to the championships but showed strength of character and good fitness to recover so quickly. In the girls 10-12yrs open grade section, the 5 girls from the SKA Karate Team all battled it out for the top 4 places. They consistently do well and they took 3 out of the 4 podium finishes, including gold and silver! LOUISE HICKS showed the most improvement and was looking very strong. She was unlucky to meet SIAN BARTON in the quarter finals where Sian won 2-1 leaving Louise just short of a medal. BETHANY SCOULDING also just missed out on a medal loosing 2-1 in the quarter final. ELLIE BARTON won 3 tough rounds and so did CHLOE PHARO. They met each other in the semi's where Ellie secured bronze and Chloe made it to the final. Sian won the other semi final to meet Chloe in another all SKA final! Sian and Chloe are always a close contest and this time it was Chloe who won the gold on another split decision and Sian took a well earned silver. Well done to all of the girls who continue to dominate this group.
The only other kata event entered by the SKA was the 10-15yrs, 4th kyu and below group. KATIE PHARO, who is only 10yrs old, is very advanced for her grade and very strong for her age. She won 3 rounds and then had a very tough semi final; but Katie emerged the winner. She then had another gruelling round but once again Katie put on an outstanding performance, attempting Chatanyara Kushanku for the first time at a compeititon and she took the gold 3-0! Well done Katie!
MICHAEL HOLMES took the only kumite gold for the SKA Karate Team. He won 4 nail biting rounds in the 9yrs and under boys kumite to make it a double gold for him. TONI SHERING took a bronze in the girls 9yrs and under. She fought her best yet and once again lost to the winner who happened to be the same winner as in the kata. Well done to Chloe Fry of Vale who won the double gold!
In the girls 10-11yrs, KATIE PHARO and ELLIE BARTON both took bronze medals to add to their kata medals. LOUISE HICKS and BETHANY SCOULDING did not manage to medal in the 12-13yrs, 45k+ and neither did CHLOE PHARO in the -45k section. They all worked hard and continued to show good attitudes on the mats. RYAN BEAVINGTON lost to the eventual silver medallist in the 12-13yrs, 45k+ boys section. Ryan worked hard and, along with the girls, will continue to improve with experience.
Well done to all of the junior SKA Karate Team and thanks to Mandy Shering and Rod Barton who helped officiate on the day. Coaches Clare and Simon Bonello were once again very proud of the squad on the day and everybody had a good day. Results listed below:
GOLD:
Michael Holmes: 9yrs and under, boys kata.
Chloe Pharo: 10-12yrs, girls kata.
Katie Pharo: 10-15yrs, 4th kyu and below kata.
Michael Holmes: 9yrs and under, boys kumite.
SILVER:
Lewis Holmes: 9yrs and under, boys kata.
Sian Barton: 10-12yrs, girls kata.
Edward Van Meerkerk: 10-12yrs, boys kata.
BRONZE:
Ellie Barton: 10-12yrs, girls kata.
Toni Shering: 9yrs and under, girls kumite.
Ellie Barton: 10-12yrs, girls, -45k kumite.
Katie Pharo: 10-12yrs, girls, -45k kumite.
Ooosshhaaaaaa!!