| Sunday 16th October saw Shuhari-Kai's second largest squad for the year travel down Meopham in Kent to compete in the Meopham open Junior Championships which were being hosted by Ken No-Sen Karate. The squad of 11 consisted of some seasoned squad members down to
Luke Hudson who was competing for the first time. The squad of 11 certainly made a mark on this tournament as they walked away with 14 medals in total, 7 Gold, 5 Silver and 2 Bronzes.
The Mixed 6th to 4th Kyu Kata category saw Ali Ayerman and Jordan Hodges in action. Both Ali and Jordan chose to perform Pinan Shodan with Ali scoring 20.3 and Jordan scoring 20.8. Unfortunately these scores were not high enough to see
them into the last four knockout stage.
Jodie Miles and Alex Sell were the only opponents in the Mixed Dan grade Kata event and Jodie won the head-to-head between these two outstanding competitors 2 flags to 1. Alex performed Chatanyara Kushanku to Jodie's Seipai and it was Jodie who took the
decision this time with both of them securing a club one-two.
The Mixed 3rd-1st Kyu Kata event saw Vishaal Dovedi, Jade Lewis, Sophie Roberts and Aimee Sell all competing together. Both Aimee and Sophie secured a score of 21.6 from the three judges equaling the top score, after both performing Bassai-Dai.
They both made the final four who went into the knockout stages. Jade was unlucky to miss out as her Seienchin Kata scored 21.5 just 0.1 short of the final placings. Vishaal missed the final placings too after achieving a score of 20.8 from the judges following his Kushanku
Kata. The knockout semifinal saw both Aimee and Sophie draw different opponents. Aimee drawn red in the first semifinal did a great Seienchin Kata to beat her opponent 2 flags to 1. Sophie, also drawn red in the second semifinal matched Aimee's achievement with a 2 flags to 1
victory with a terrific performance of Unshu. The final saw Aimee red and Sophie blue. Aimee performed Nipaipo against Sophie's Seipai and won event taking all flags. It was a great achievement from both girls securing yet another club one-two.
The final Kata event was the Team 5th Kyu and over category. Shuhari-Kai had entered a team consisting of Aimee, Jodie and Sophie. Last to compete in this category, they achieved the highest score of 21.7 beating their opposition
by some margin to claim another gold taking the medal tally to 3 Gold and 2 Silvers from the Kata events alone.
The Kumite events were soon underway with the girls opening the proceedings for the squad. Jade Lewis and Jodie Miles were competing in the 4’8’’-5’2’’, 5th Kyu and Over category together. Jade blazed her way into
the final in dominant fashion after securing a 10-1 quarter final win and a 10-0 semifinal encounter. Jodie matched Jade’s performance by also dominating in her fights with 9-0 quarter final win followed by a 9-1 semifinal victory. Both girls met in the final and Jodie claimed
her third gold medal of the day by securing an 8-0 win against her fellow squad member. Jade had to settle for silver this time but yet another club one-two put a smile on both their faces.
The Girls 5’2’’ and Over, 5th Kyu and Over category saw Elle Ayerman and Sophie Roberts both in action. Elle suffered a first round exit as she lost her opening bout 8-0. Sophie had an easier time as she received a
first round bye. The semifinal saw Sophie take an impressive 10-3 win to make the final. Sophie didn’t disappoint in the final securing gold with an 11 points to 3 win for her third tournament medal.
After the girl’s impressive haul the boys took up the mantle and it was little Callum Alboni who was first strike in the Boys Under 4’2’’, Novice to 6th Kyu category. Callum took his first ever open competition win in the
quarterfinal after his opponent was disqualified for repeated contact warnings. Callum then secured a narrow victory in his semifinal bout wining 3-2 for his second career win. The final proved one step too far for this little 6 year old so Callum had to settle for silver after
loosing 4-0. Callum felt very jubilant in gaining his first medal as did the whole squad, most of who were standing in his corner coaching him!
It was back to form for Jordan Hodges in the Boys 4’2’’-4’8’’, 5th Kyu and Over category. Jordan started sharply and opened his account with a comprehensive 10-2 victory. The quarterfinal saw Jordan scrap out a narrow 2-1
win to take him into the semifinals where he then made the final in another close fight wining 1-0. Jordan had to settle for silver in the end as he lost out in the final 3-0. It was a pleasing return to form for Jordan who now can build on his confidence again.
Ali Ayerman picked up a bronze after competing in the 4’8’’-5’2’’, Novice to 6th Kyu category but was unlucky not to make the final in a controversial decision. Ali won his
quarterfinal opening fight 5-1 to make the semifinals. At full time in the semifinal the score was tied at 4-4. As extra time commenced Ali was the first to score but didn’t automatically win as the referee insisted on seeing out the full one minute of extra time. Ali lost out
6-5 in the end having to accept this version of the rules applied to his mat only. Ali did collect his bronze as compensation though.
The Boys 4’8’’-5’2’’, 5th Kyu and Over category saw Visaal Dovedi and new boy Luke Hudson in action. Luke who was competing for the first time for the squad suffered a first round defeat losing 9-1 in his
inarguable competition. Now Luke’s had a taste of competition and now knows what to expect, I’m sure it won’t be long before Luke’s collecting medals too. Meanwhile Vishaal had a stunning opening quarterfinal round with an impressive 8-0 win. Unfortunately Vishaal couldn’t keep
his form going as he lost his semifinal match 8-1. Vishaal did collect a bronze medal for his efforts to add to the ever-increasing squad medal tally.
The last individual Kumite event was the Boys 5’2’’ and Over, 5th Kyu and Over with Alex Sell competing for the squad. Alex opened his account with a thumping 13-5 victory in the quarterfinal picking up 3 contact warnings
along the way finishing perilously close to disqualification. Alex then made the final following a 5-1 win in his semifinal match. The final saw Alex’s opponent pull out towards the end after suffering from blurred vision. With the score already 8-3 in Alex’s favour, the match
was awarded to Alex along with the gold.
Alex then teamed up with James Witt and Mathew Tansley for the Budo Nord Challenge. With only one other team to face it was a straight final showdown. James took to the mat for
the team’s first match and made a commanding start with a 9-0 win. Next up was Alex and he ensured Mathew didn’t need to fight as he secured a 5-2 win to and victory for the team. It was an excellent performance from the team and indeed the whole squad as they scooped a hatful
of trophies and medals from the competition. Well done to everyone who competed.
Squad: Callum Alboni, Ali Ayerman, Elle Ayerman, Vishaal Dovedi, Jordan Hodges, Luke Hudson, Jade Lewis, Jodie Miles, Sophie Roberts, Aimee Sell and Alex Sell.
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