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 Sunday 10th September saw a small squad of five from Shuhari-Kai travel to the Rivermead Leisure Centre in Reading, Berkshire, to take part in the AMA Southern Open
Championships. The championships were not overly busy with about 250 competitors taking part meaning the squad got away fairly early at around 4:30ish. Not too bad.
The Kata events were first and Callum Alboni was the first of the squad up. Callum performed Pinan Sandan in the Mixed U10yrs category. Although he performed his Kata extremely well, as this was an open grade event he came across a
much higher grade opponent who performed a good Seienchin Kata. Callum predictably lost out 3 flags to 0.
Up next for the squad was Aimee Sell competing in the Girls 10-12yrs category. Aimee only had 7 competitors in her category so she just had 3 rounds to go through. She performed Seienchin Kata in the 1st round winning 3 flags to 0.
The 2nd round saw Aimee claim another 3-0 win following her performance of Nipaipo. The final saw Aimee perform Annan Kata and once again she didn't drop a flag winning 3-0 to claim the squads first gold of the day.
Both Jade Lewis and Sophie Roberts were competing in the Girls 13-15yrs Kata category. Sophie came up against one of the finalist in the 1st round and although she performed a good Bassai-Dai Kata, it wasn't enough to beat
her stronger Kata opponent who won the round 3-0. Jade feared better by winning her opening round 3-0 following her performance of Seienchin. The 2nd round saw Jade's run come to an end as her Bassai-Dai lost out 3 flag to 0 this time round.
The last Kata competitor up for the squad was Alex Sell who I have to say looked very rusty. Alex performed Bassai-Dai in the 1st round and took the victory with a 2-1 win. The 2nd round saw Alex perform Unshu Kata and although he
won the round 3-0 it wasn't the best we've seen him perform. Predictably Alex lost out in the semi-final round as his Chatanyara Kushanku Kata looked a little scruffy too leaving him to settle for a bronze medal.
The Kumite events were soon underway with Callum Alboni up first once again. Callum made an excellent start in his 1st round fight by opening the scoring with a 3-point Jodan Mawashigeri but his opponent was much bigger and more
experienced and the fight finished with Callum making an early exit suffering with 11-3 defeat.
Jade Lewis was up next in the Girls 12-13yrs, U45kg category. With only about 7 competitors in this event, this was another 3 round category and with Jade receiving a 1st round bye she was straight into the semi-finals. Jade
started her campaign in a cagey manner with bother fighters unable to find a way through some good defensive work. Unluckily for Jade her opponent finally scored a Gyakuzuki punch on the final buzzer to take the win and leave Jade collecting a bronze for her efforts.
Next up was Alex Sell competing in the Boys 14-15yrs, Over 55kg category. Alex made a good start in the opening round beating his opponent 9-0. The 2nd round saw Alex take a 1-0 lead before landing a Chudan Mawashigeri kick
to his opponents back leaving his opponent seeking medical attention. Alex was given a 2 point penalty and subsequently awarded the match as his opponent chose not to continue. The semi-final saw Alex have a much closer round as the scores were tied a 3-3 at the final buzzer.
In extra-time Alex was the first to score with a Chudan Mawashigeri to take the win. The final saw a very good match with both fighters capable of taking gold. The match was on fought on a knife-edge the scores going one way then the other. In the end it was Alex who came out
the victor this time claiming gold after a close 4-3 win.
The final competitor to compete for the squad was Sophie Roberts competing in the Girls 14-15yrs, Over 55kg category. Sophie was unlucky once again in her draw as she came up against the category winner in her 2nd round after
receiving a 1st round bye. Sophie lost out 5-0 this time but as long as she keeps plugging away she'll find her form again.
The squad finished the day with 2 gold and 2 bronzes. Well done everyone who competed.
Squad: Callum Alboni, Jade Lewis, Sophie Roberts, Aimee Sell & Alex Sell.
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