Ishinryu Summer Karate Invitational   Eight Shuhari-Kai students made it to the Ishinryu Summer Karate Invitational on Sunday 4th June 2006. The squad originally down to attend this rearranged tournament at Hornchurch Sports Centre, was much larger but for various reasons, not least just coming back from our Summer camp, only eight managed to attend. This meant a few our the squad were not firing on all cylinders having returned from camp feeling tired after being put through an intense training schedule and coming home with various niggles, sniffles, and not least with Sophie Roberts undergoing and passing her 1st Dan grading. Well done Sophie.   The tournament started with the Kata events first all judged using the WKF flag system with three judges to each mat. Callum Alboni was up first in the Boys 6th-4th Kyu event. Callum performed Pinan Nidan for his opening Kata but failed to make it to the next round losing 3 flags to nil on this occasion.  Next up was Shane Mitchell competing in the Boys 3rd-2nd Kyu event. Shane performed Bassai-Dai Kata in his opening round but like Callum before him, he lost 3 flags to nil ending his medal hopes. Alex Sell was the last of the boys to compete and his category was the Boys 1st Kyu and Over. Alex received a 1st round bye and then a no-show in the 2nd round meant he was straight into the semi-finals. Alex performed Chatanyara Kushanku winning his match by 3 flags to nil. The final saw Alex against Harry Cannon. Alex, up first, performed Suparimpei for the first time in a major competition whilst Harry performed Chatanyara Kushanku. Harry took the title with a 2 flags to 1 win leaving Alex to settle for silver.   The two girls competing in Kata, Aimee Sell and Sophie Roberts were both in the same category, the Girls 1st Kyu and Over category. Sophie won her opening round 3 flags to nil with her performance of Seienchin Kata. The next round saw Sophie lose out by the same margin after her Unshu Kata failed beat Emma Lucraft’s Unshu Kata. Emma was to come up against Aimee in the final after Aimee had won her 2nd round Kata 3 flags to nil with her Nipaipo Kata following her 1st round bye, and then won her semi-final match 2 flags to 1 for her Seipai Kata. The final saw both Aimee and Emma perform Annan Kata but it was Emma who took the split decision to claim the title 2 flags to 1 leaving Aimee contented with her silver.   Following the Kata medal presentations, the Kumite events were commenced with Callum Alboni and Aryan Ayerman called into action first. Callum was the smallest in the Boys 3rd Kyu and Below, Under 4’6’’ category and Callum didn’t make it past the 2nd round losing 5-1 following his 1st round bye. Aryan faired the same as Callum failing to make it past the 2nd round losing 8-5 in a tough match following his 1st round bye.   The Boys 3rd Kyu and Below, Under 5’0’’ category saw both Ali and Andrew Ayerman in action. Ali made a good start winning his opening round 3-2 before his progress was halted in the 2nd round eventually losing 3-0. Andrew went one better by collecting a bronze after narrowly losing the semi-final match 3-2. Andrew looked in good shape but gave away a penalty point in the dying seconds of the match handing the victory to his opponent. Better luck next time Andrew.   Shane Mitchell competed in the Boys 3rd Kyu and Below, 5’3’’ and Under category and made an excellent start in his opening round winning 6-1 in convincing fashion. Unfortunately for Shane, he came up against George Hayter in the 2nd round who eventually beat Shane 4-2 after falling behind early on and went on to win the event leaving Shane just outside of the medal positions.   Alex Sell was up next competing in the Boys 2nd Kyu and Over, 5’3’’ and Over category. Alex definitely wasn’t on form at this tournament and he struggled past his opening round opponent finally winning 5-4 in a scrappy encounter. Alex did settle down for the 2nd round but lost out to Harry Cannon 2-0 as Harry beat him to the punch twice to gain the victory.   The Girls 2nd Kyu and Over, 5’1’’ and Over category saw our last competitor in action, Sophie Roberts. Sophie was drawn against Sophie Richardson and like Alex didn’t really get going on this occasion and had to bow out early losing 4-2.   The tournament didn’t run that late and was well run with all mats being used continuously which helped to speed things along. A big well done to the squad for their efforts and participation and to Ishinryu for organising and inviting Shuhari-Kai to this tournament.   SQUAD: Callum Alboni, Ali Ayerman, Andrew Ayerman, Aryan Ayerman, Shane Mitchell, Sophie Roberts, Aimee Sell, Alex Sell.