Ishinryu Summer Open   Ten squad members attended this local competition and came away with ten medals between them. The Ishinryu Summer Open was held at the Hornchurch Sports Centre, Harrow Lodge, on 14th May 2005. This is always a hotly contested competition and the standard was extremely high again this year as always. First up for the squad was Jordan Hodges and Ali Ayerman in the Kata event. Both Jordan and Ali made it into round two with 3 flags to nil wins for their Pinan Shodan Katas. Ali then lost out in the next round after performing Pinan Nidan whilst Jordan also lost out after performing Pinan Sandan.   The Girls 3rd-1st Kyu grade Kata had better results for Aimee Sell who picked up a silver after coming through three rounds without dropping a flag on her way to the final. Unfortunately Aimee lost the fourth and final round 3-0 to a much older competitor but at 9yrs old, a silver in the under 16yrs event was a tremendous result. Alex Sell didn't have as much luck as his sister as he was knocked out 2 flags to 1 in round two by the eventual winner, Ishinryu's Mitch Scotcher.   The Girls 1st Kyu+ event saw Jodie Miles, Jade Lewis and Sophie Roberts all competing together. Sophie lost out in her opening round as her Bassai-Dai kata was beaten 3-0. Jade went a round better winning 3-0 in her opening round with Seienchin Kata but lost out the following round 3-0 following her Bassai-Dai Kata. It was Jodie Miles who went all the way to scoop Gold as she stormed through the event without dropping one flag following her displays of Bassai-Dai, Nipaipo, Seipei and Annan Katas. Well done Bulldog, awesome display. Jade, Jodie and Sophie then joined forces for the team kata event. The girls performed Seienchin Kata and lost 3 flags to nil but with only four teams competing they gained a bronze anyway.   The Kumite events were next and this is where the squad excelled even more. Jordan Hodges got the ball rolling with an opening Gold. Jordan came through four  rounds to clinch the gold in the final following a judges decision after extra time couldn't break the 0-0 deadlock. 'Flash Jordan' is going from strength to strength, well done. Ali Ayerman came through three nail-biting rounds in his event only to lose in the semi-finals. However, the Kumite events had repechage meaning Ali had yet another fight to go through in order to claim his bronze. Ali made no mistakes securing bronze with one of his best displays seen so far. (Has Ali got a nickname yet?)   Next fighter on the Mat was Sophie Roberts who also came through four rounds to clinch another Gold. Sophie won her final after her competitor failed to beat the ten second rule following an over-zealous Mawashigeri kick from Sophie. Her competitor was counted out and disqualified handing Sophie the Gold. Alex Sell had a slightly harder time of it in his event, the Boys Under 16yrs event. Being one of the smallest and youngest things didn't look promising but Alex overcame his opposition in three rounds to make the final. Alex won the final against Ishinryu's Daryl Tindall. Both boys will be representing Havering at the London Youth Games next month so things are looking good for the squad.   Meanwhile, Jade Lewis absolutely flew out of the blocks to record her best ever fight in the semi-finals of her event. She took the fight to her opponent storming to victory without giving her opponent any chance of reply. Unfortunately Jade couldn't sustain that momentum and lost out in the final. A Silver for Jade was a great result though. Dean Bannister and David Wales both did well in the Male Cadets event. Dean got a first round bye to the semi-finals whilst David got the harder route of  beating his opponent to make the cut. unfortunately that's where their progress ended after coming up against some very tough (and a lot bigger) opposition. Both boys did claim a bronze each for their efforts which was well deserved. The only squad member not to medal was Ellie Ayerman. Ellie was unfortunate to loose her opening match as she knows she's much better but you can't win them all. Better luck next time Ellie.   The squad ended the day with 10 medals; 4 Gold, 2 Silver and 4 Bronze. The squad did themselves proud and Sensei Richard Burridge was extremely pleased for the squad after spending the day coaching his young charges. Well done all who attended and a big thanks to the Ishinryu who invited us along to this excellent tournament.   SQUAD: Ali Ayerman, Ellie Ayerman, Dean Bannister, Jordan Hodges, Jade Lewis, Jodie Miles, Sophie Roberts, Aimee Sell, Alex Sell & David Wales.