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Copyright (C) by Shuhari-Kai Karate Club 2003-2009

      

TKA Grand Open Championships Yet another early Sunday morning start saw Leisure World in Colchester host the TKA Grand Open Championships on 21st September 2003. A small squad of 5 made the trip from Shuhari-Kai Karate Club to compete in the championships and were rewarded for their efforts with a Gold, Silver and Bronze trophy.     The first events of the championships were the Kata (form) events. 8 year old Vishaal Dovedi was competing in the 15 years and under 6th-4th kyu Kata, whilst 11 year old Jodie Miles, 12 year old Sophie Roberts, 11 year old Alex Sell and 8 year old Aimee Sell were all competing in the 15 years and under 3rd-1st kyu Kata event together. The Kata events were simply judged by one round of Kata with three judges scoring them, with the highest accumulated score after the rounds being the winner. Vishaal, out in his own category, performed his chosen Kata, Pinan Yodan, but unfortunately his total score was out of the medals position. In the other Kata category, Aimee was up first. She performed ‘Seienchin’ Kata which was scored 6.8, 6.8 & 7.0 totalling 20.6. That score eventually put her in 20th position out of 32. Sophie was next to perform her Kata also ‘Seienchin’. Sophie was scored 7.0, 7.0 & 7.1 totalling 21.1 which placed her 8th overall. Next up to perform her Kata was Jodie. She produced a fine demonstration of ‘Seienchin’ Kata which was scored 7.1, 7.1 & 7.1 totalling 21.3 leaving her in 5th position, just outside the medals. Last up for the squad was Alex who performed ‘Chatanyara Kushanku’ Kata. His performance was scored by the three judges with 7.2, 7.2 & 7.3 giving him a total of 21.7 and placing him in joint 1st position. After the rounds had been completed, 1st position was tied between Alex and 15 year old Aaron Milan-Vega from the International Karate-do Goju-kai Association. Both had to perform an additional Kata to decide the eventual winner. Aaron up first performed ‘Seipai’ Kata scoring 21.5 whilst Alex up next performed ‘Seienchin’. Remarkably, his Kata also scored 21.5 resulting in yet another tie and the need for another round. This time round, Aaron performed ‘Shisochin’ Kata scoring 7.1, 7.2 & 7.2 totalling 21.5 whilst Alex performed ‘Bassai-Dai’ Kata scoring 7.2, 7.2 & 7.3. This gave his Kata a total score of 21.7 and overall Gold. This was a good result for Alex who held his nerve against some tough opposition and takes some excellent form into the English Children’s Nationals next weekend at Sheffield.   After the remainder of the Kata events were completed the Kumite (fighting) events were commenced. First up from the squad was Vishaal, competing in the boys 4’5’’ – 4’10’’, 5th kyu and above category. Vishaal gave a good account of himself showing lots of aggression towards and older opponent but lost out at 5 points to 2. Up next was Aimee, who was competing in the girls under 4’0’’, 5th kyu and above event. A small event was this with Aimee narrowly losing in the final 4-1 after a potential 3 point kick was adjudged to have been too hard. Never the less, Aimee was please to receive her trophy for Silver. Jodie took to the mats next in the girls 4’5’’ – 4’10’’, 5th kyu and above category. Jodie lost her bout 7-4 but tried numerous techniques to claw back the deficit all to no avail as her techniques failed to be scored by the referee. Last of the squad members competing was Sophie in the girls 4’10’’ – 5’3’’, 5th and above category. This was a particular tough category with many of the competing girls older, bigger and higher graded than Sophie, but she didn’t let them intimidate her as she stormed her way into the second round after a 4-2 victory in the first round. Putting together a number of combinations to head and body, Sophie made light work of her next opponent as her speed and aggression cruised her to a 4-1 victory. Now guaranteed at least a bronze medal after her victories, she wanted to go for gold. In her semi-final bout, the match was evenly contested at 2-3 when Sophie went down on the mat and twisted her knee as she fell. On advice from the medical support team and her coach, she was pulled out from the remainder of the competition. This was a great shame as Sophie had achieved a remarkable feat in coming through some tough rounds into the Bronze position. Hopefully her knee would have healed and she will be fully fit for the Nationals next week.     Overall, this was a good championship warm-up for the English Children’s Nationals being held next weekend at Sheffield. With a Gold, Silver and Bronze to take home, it was a ‘good day at the office’ for them. The Shuhari-Kai squad attending the Nationals will be, JJ Burridge, Jodie Miles, Clare Page, Sophie Roberts and Alex Sell. Good luck to them all.    Squad: Vishaal Dovedi, Jodie Miles, Sophie Roberts, Aimee Sell and Alex Sell.

 

For further information email us at info@shuharikai.co.uk or call Chief Instructor Richard Burridge on 01708 737125 or 07850 253998   Copyright (C) by Shuhari-Kai Karate Club 2003-2009