Welsh Open Karate Championships
2009-10-10
The Welsh Open Junior and Senior Championships took place on 10 October 2009 at The Welsh Institute of Sport, Cardiff. Many of the top associations in England and Wales took part and overall standard in both Kata and Kumite were high. The SKA Karate Team had only four junior competitors taking part in five categories. Coming away with three golds, a silver and bronze was a fantastic achievement and everyone who took part represented our club and association exceptionally well.
The day started with the boys under ten Kata category, brothers Michael and Lewis Holmes aged eight and six worked hard throughout their rounds and met in the final, a great achievment, especially for Lewis who has another three years in this category. In the final Michael showed his class performing Chatan Yara Kushanku against Lewis' (own version) of Unshu taking the Gold. A bit more practise Lewis and you will be giving your big brother a hard time. If only you concentrated more!!!!
It was then the turn of Toni Sherring(8) in the girls under ten Kata category. Some very strong and precise performances earned her a place in the final against an experienced competitor who in recent competitions has had the better hand. Performing Suparinpei for the very first time in competition Toni took a very well deserved Gold.
Bethany Scoulding(13) took part in the girls under fourteen Kata category. In this age category there are some very good performers who have been competing a lot longer. Although losing to the overall winner in the first round Bethany has certainly improved, performing a very well executed Gojushi Ho. A little more hard work and Bethany will certainly be challenging for medal positions in the coming months.
Two Golds and one Silver is not a bad Kata tally from four relatively new competitors.
On to the kumite events, Michael, competing in the under ten boys event took home a bronze after some very confusing decisions from the judges. Clearly looking the best in this category Michael was disappointed but determined to prove his dominance in up and coming competitions.
Toni, competing in the under ten girls Kumite event, as usual, produced some super fast jodan kicks to get a place in the final. Facing an opponent much taller than herself put her legs out of use however she proved she also has a quick punch taking her second gold of the day, well done Toni!!!
After a long day and wait it was finally the turn of Bethany, our final competitor in the under fourteen, over 45K category. After a tough couple of rounds Bethany did not progress to the medal stages facing a superior fighter in the quarter final. However like her Kata, a bit more work in the dojo and she is sure to relax on the mat and produce performances she is capable of.
A big well done and thank you to all who competed and supported, keep up the hard work and I am sure the results will keep coming.
Sensei Simon
p.s. Someone really needs to take responsibility for writing these reports.......Please!!!!!!!