3rd Malta Open International Championships   The third edition of the Malta Open International Karate Championships were held on 16th July 2005 at the Savio College Sports Centre, Dingli, Malta. The one-day event attracted large crowds of both Maltese and foreign spectators who came to support their respective countries. There were over 200 athletes competing from 13 countries; Romania, Holland, England, Ireland, Germany Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Wales, Sweden, Israel, Italy and of course Malta.   Brother and Sister, Alex and Aimee Sell were the representatives from Shuhari-Kai Karate Club and between them came home with four Golds and one Silver trophy.   Aimee was the first to participate in the Mixed U12 Years Kata event and was also drawn to perform first. Aimee performed Seienchin Kata and scored 7.1, 7.2 & 7.3 from the three judges totalling 21.6. The rest of her opponents performed their Kata's but none could match her high score and Aimee took the first of her Golds.   Next up was Alex participating in the Mixed 12-15 Years Kata event. Like Aimee before him, Alex was drawn to perform his Kata first. Alex performed Nipaipo Kata scoring 7.3, 7.4 & 7.4 from the three judges totalling 22.1. Alex led the first round until the final competitor performed her Kata. The Austrian competitor representing the Austrian Karate Federation scored 22.3 to take a lead into the final round. The top eight with the highest scores went through to the next and final round. Once again Alex was first to perform his Kata with his Austrian opponent going last. Alex performed Chatanyara Kushanku and scored 7.5 from each judge totalling a whopping 22.5. Unfortunately the last competitor once again pipped Alex by scoring 7.6's from the judges edging out Alex to leave him with Silver this time.   Not content with one Gold, Aimee entered the Mixed 10-14 Years Freestyle Kata event. This is unknown territory not just for Aimee, but for many competitors in the UK. Aimee had practiced and prepared a Freestyle Kata in the weeks running up to the tournament and wasn't convinced she should even perform it. However, on the day, Aimee did perform it and in a field of about 10 Aimee went last this time. Aimee performed her Kata to music and scored 7.3, 7.3 & 7.6 from the judges totalling 22.2 beating her nearest rival by 0.5, a huge margin in a single round.   Not to be outdone on the Gold medal count, Alex secured his first Gold of the day in his individual Kumite event, the Boys 12-13 Years. Alex received a 1st round bye after his opening opponent failed to show. The 2nd round (semi-final) saw Alex win 10-0 in under 30 seconds. Impressive stuff. The final was between Alex and Toyakwai's George Hayter. The final ended with Alex taking the Gold with a 5-2 score line.    Alex then teamed up with George's brother, Jack Hayter and Chris Blenhiem both from Toyakwai in the Male Mixed Age Group Team Kumite event. Jack and Alex won each of their fights in the 1st round with Alex once again destroying his opponent winning 9-0 in under 30 seconds. The 2nd round once again saw both Jack and Alex win both their fights with Alex winning 6-1 and Chris Blenhiem getting wondering if he would get the chance to fight. However, Chris never got the chance to fight as once again both Jack and Alex took the final by storm with Alex winning the final fight for the team Gold with an 8-0 victory.   And so the final tally was 2 Golds for Aimee and 2 Golds 1 Silver for Alex. Well done kids.