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Toronto Open Karate Championships    Awesome Alex strikes Gold in Toronto.  Etobicoke in Ontario, Canada saw the 1st Toronto Open being held. Competitors who took part in this prestigious tournament included World, and Pan American games gold medallists from Canada, USA, Croatia, Mexico, Russia and Venezuela.  Initially competing in the Boys 11-13 yrs Kata event against 28 other competitors, 12yr old Alex had to perform one Kata which was to  be judged on a points system by three judges. Alex was called up approximately mid-way through the event and chose to perform Chatanyara Kushanku Kata. Alex scored 7.5, 7.5 & 7.5 from the three judges, setting the highest score so far and which proved high enough not to be beaten.     After the medal ceremony where Alex collected his Gold medal, the Kumite event was commenced for the same group of competitors. Alex received a bye for round the first round and then won his next round 3-1 picking up his last point after his opponent got his second warning for excessive contact. The quarter-final saw Alex well on top as he secured a 5-1 victory. However, the semi-final bout proved a lot tougher as it went into extra time with the scores tied at 2-2. With the first one to score going through, Alex counter attacked his opponent sinking in a thundering Gyakuzuki punch to win the bout 3-2. Now competing for Gold in the final, Alex scored the initial opening point but his opponent scored a Mawashigeri kick against him eventhough it landed on his arm and then followed it up with a Gyakuzuki punch to take a 3-1 lead. Alex pulled the scores level following two successive Gyakuzuki punches but once again a Mawashigeri kick on Alex's arm was judged successful. Alex pulled the scored back to 5-4 but yet another Mawashigeri kick against Alex was awarded eventhough Alex caught the kick first and followed up with a Gyakuzuki counter punch. And that's how it finished, with the score 7-4 against Alex, and Alex having to settle for the Silver medal this time.   After a pause whilst some presentations were made and some different events were completed, Alex was then allowed to compete in the Boys 14-15 years Black Belt Kata event. Following the same rules where one Kata is performed and scored by three judges, Alex was the final competitor to be called. After watching some pretty good Suparimpei, Bassai-Dai and Enpi Katas, Alex chose to take no chances and performed Chatanyara Kushanku Kata once more. Alex received 8.3, 8.2 & 8.2 from the three judges to take top spot once more and collect his second Gold of the tournament.   Alex had a great tournament collecting 2 Golds and 1 Silver. The chief organiser, Zovonko Celeiga, then award Alex a special presentational Samurai Tanto knife for his achievement. This was a well run tournament which also gave Alex the chance to see World Kata medallist and Pan American Champion, Antonio Diaz, perform a demonstration Kata, Chatanyara Kushanku, after competing the day before.

 

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