 Another hot summers day sweltering in the sizzling temperatures of the gold fish bowl that is Crystal Palace, signalled the return of the annual London Borough’s
clash, the London Youth Games – Karate Event. (I’m sure Crystal Palace must contribute at least 10% towards the planets global warming. The only one who enjoyed the heat was the ice cream vendor inside the venue who was kept busy all day scooping up various mixtures of Run &
Raisin to Mint Choc Chip concoctions for the wilting youngsters, and me). The participants for each of the 32 London Boroughs congregated on Sunday 18th June 2006 bright and early with the Kata participants registering first.
The four Kata categories were split by gender and then into two school age groups; school years 6-9 and school years 10-12. The boys Havering squad had Alex Sell competing for years 6-9 and Dean Bannister competing for years
10-12, whilst the girls Havering squad had Jodie Miles competing for years 6-9 and Sophie Roberts competing for years 10-12. All four categories commenced simultaneously... practically.
Jodie Miles, last years winner, started the defence of her title with luck on her side as she received a 1st round bye. The second round saw Jodie perform Seienchin Kata winning the round 3
flags to nil. The 3rd round semi-final saw Jodie’s luck run out as she narrowly lost 2 flags to 1 as her Bassai-Dai was beaten by the eventual winner. Jodie’s only chance of a medal now lay in the repechage rounds and she didn’t disappoint as she claimed Bronze
for Havering with a 3-0 win for her Seipai Kata.
Meanwhile Sophie Roberts was competing on another mat and made a good start winning her opening round 3 flags to nil as her Bassai-Dai Kata proved too strong for her opponent. The next round saw Sophie narrowly lose out as her
Seipai Kata lost the decision 2 flags to 1. Her winning opponent went on to make the final allowing Sophie the chance to compete in the repechage rounds. Sophie’s repechage opponent failed to show leaving Sophie with an automatic Bronze to add to Jodie’s bronze for the
Havering squad.
Last years runner-up, Alex Sell was determined to go one better this year and having recently become British Kata champion was one of the favourites to take gold. Alex made a good start winning his opening round 3 flags to nil for
his Bassai-Dai Kata performance. The 2nd round saw Alex perform Nipaipo Kata and once again claimed a 3 flags to nil win. The semi-final saw Alex take no chances and his performance of Chatanyara Kushanku once more secured a 3 flags to nil win securing his place in
the final round. After the repechage rounds had completed, Alex performed Suparimpei in the final against the opponent from Westminster who narrowly beat him two years ago in the final. This time Alex gained revenge as the decision went in Alex’s favour 2 flags to 1 giving him
the title and Gold for the Havering team. That’s two big Kata titles in a row for Alex, well done.
Havering’s last Kata competitor was Dean Bannister. Dean was really competing for the points as he didn’t realistically fancy his chances given that the recent British Silver and Bronze medallist were in his category along with
current European Cadet Silver medallist too! Dean’s opening round saw him perform Chinto Kata, a compulsory Kata from the Wado-Ryu stable. Unfortunately for Dean, he was narrowly defeated 2 flags to 1 and as his opponent failed to make the finals, Dean was out of the repechage
rounds too. Well done Dean for competing.
The Kumite events then began in earnest and I’ll try and run through the results with what I remember and what we managed to scribble down.
Boys Under 40kg category – Had two Havering squad members competing, Jordan Hodges and Mark Hansford. Jordan won his opening round in good form winning 7-0 but drew his next round match 2-2.
The scores remained the same after extra time and the decision went to the judges and referee vote. Jordan gained 2 votes from the judges with 1 judge and the referee voting against him. The referees decision had swayed it in Jordan’s opponents favour. Jordan did make the
repechage round but lost out 7-0 to end his progression. Mark Hansford won his opening round match 3-2 but lost out in the next round losing 2-0. Mark, like Jordan, did get the chance to compete in the repechage rounds and took full advantage. Mark’s 1st opponent
failed to show giving him an automatic win. The next round saw Mark victorious as he won the round 2-0. Now fighting for the bronze in the last round, the score remained close and finished 2-2 at full time. Extra time ensued and Mark made the decisive attack to score the
solitary point that was to give him Bronze for the team as he achieved third place overall. Well done Mark and a good comeback.
Boys 40-45kg category – Chris Karwazinski was extremely unlucky not to medal in his event. Chris’s opening round went to a vote as the scores remained level after extra time with Chris getting the
vote 3-1. The next round sw Chris lose out 7-4 but Chris had two Jodan Mawashigeri kicks judged as no scores which would have seen him comfortably through to the next semi’s. Chris did make repechage but lost out 2-0 as his Jodan Mawashigeri kicks failed to score once again.
Well done Chris, good effort and determination not giving up.
Boys 45-50kg category – George Hayter was competing for Havering with Shuhari-Kai’s Shane Mitchell competing for Barking & Dagenham. Shane won his opening round match in style wining 5-0 and
looking good. The next round saw a much closer fight and at full time the scores were tied at 4-4. Extra time ensued and Shane was judged to have been beaten to the punch and had to bow out early. George Hayter made an emphatic start as he cruised to a 9-0 victory in his
opening round. The 2nd round saw George win 4-0 with ease to make the semi-final. A comfortable 2-0 victory in the semi-final saw George guarantee his medal but the only question remaining was what colour it would be. After the repechage rounds had completed, the
final commenced. In a close match the scores were level at 1-1 at full time. George took the decisive point in extra time to earn himself a London Youth Games title and make sure the colour of the medal was Gold for the Havering team. Good work George and unlucky Shane.
Boys 50-55kg category – Saw Alex Middleton in action. Alex started well winning his opening round 3-0 and looking good. The next round saw Alex withdraw from the competition after suffering an
injury in which he ended up in hospital. Alex has since had an operation and the news is that he’s recovering well. We wish Alex all the best and wish him a speedy recovery.
Boys 55-60kg category - Had two Havering squad members in action, Alex Sell and George Gambleton. Alex started brightly easing his way to an 8-0 victory in his opening round. Alex then lost
his next round 4-1 after taking an early lead but got caught with a Gyak punch and a Jodan Mawashigeri towards the end. His opponent went on to the final leaving Alex a chance of meddling in the repechage rounds. Alex had only one round to negotiate for third spot and he took
it well beating his opponent 1-0 to secure Bronze for the team. George went one better than Alex securing Silver for the Havering squad. George, like Alex, won his opening round in impressive style with an 8-0 win. The 2nd round saw George score the
only point which was enough to take him through to the next round. The semi-final saw George beat a much bigger opponent 5-1 to make the final. George simply out-Gyaked his opponent picking up point after point to end his titles hopes. The final proved to be a much harder
affair and George finally succumbed to defeat losing 10-3 in the end. George did himself proud to make the final and earned a well deserved Silver for the squad. All in all, not a bad category for Havering in the end.
Boys 60-65kg category – Representing Havering was our Kata exponent Dean Bannister. Dean made an unfortunate start to his campaign as he fell below to two quick Gyaks to trail by 2 points early on.
Dean started to fight back and pulled the scores level before being caught just at the death and finally lost out 3-2. Unlucky Dean.
Girls Under 40kg category – Lucy Peppercorn was hoping to achieve higher than she did last year when she secured a bronze and she certainly made an impressive opening start to her campaign by
winning 8-1 in the 1st round. The 2nd round semi-final saw Lucy ease to a 6-2 victory to make the final which was concluded once the repechage rounds had completed. A close yet high scoring final saw the scores tied a 7-7 between Lucy and her opponent at
the end of full time. In extra time, Lucy was the one to deliver the golden blow to her opponent ensuring she scored the extra point first to give her victory and another team Gold. Lucy did manage to better her result on the previous year so well done Lucy.
Girls 45-50kg category – Two Havering competitors in this event, Emma Lucraft and Stephanie Thorndick. Emma received a 1st round bye and won her next round with ease taking a 5-0 win into the
3rd round. Unfortunately for Emma, she narrowly lost out 2-0 to her opponent who made the final leaving Emma a chance to medal in the repechage rounds. Emma went all out for that medal and won her 1st round 6-0. The repechage final saw Emma once again put
on a spirited display to claim victory with 6-1 win and gain a well earned Bronze. Stephanie started her campaign brightly winning her opening round 4-0. The 2nd round saw Stephanie win with ease as she secured a 10-0 win rounding off a fine display with a
Jodan Mawashigeri kick. The 3rd round saw Stephanie secure another victory as she won the round 6-2. The semi-final round proved a little closer but not much as Stephanie made sure she secured her final spot with a 4-1 win. Following the completion of the repechage
rounds the final commenced. Stephanie was in blistering form as she once again rounded off a perfect display with a 10-0 win ending with a Jodan Mawashigeri kick to bow out in style. An impressive Gold won by Stephanie, well done.
Girls 50-55kg category – Sophie Richardson had one of the most controversial matches in the final of this category against an England Cadet squad member. Sophie made the final by coming through the 1st
round with a 5-1 victory. The 2nd round saw Sophie take an automatic win as her opponent failed to show (probably knew what she’d let herself in for). The semi-final round was won with ease as Sophie stormed through to take a 6-0 win. The final was a terrific battle
as both girls went out looking for victory. Sophie had stolen the lead towards the end and was leading by 1 point with the scores 3-2. Sophie’s opponent had a Jodan Mawashigeri kick ruled as no score in a last ditch attempt to win the match as the clock stopped with 1 second
remaining. The title looked in the bag for Sophie when the match resumed but her opponent once again went for a Jodan Mawashigeri kick which this time the referee agreed had scored, however, this was well beyond the 1 second of time which remained for the match but the referee
hadn’t stopped the fight. After a brief discussion, the score was allowed to stand leaving Sophie to settle for Silver having come so close to claiming the title over an England squad member who basically showed distain to her opponent, Sophie, not congratulating her or
shaking her hand after the match. Well done Sophie, at least you showed good spirit etiquette.
Girls 55-60kg category – Two Havering competitors (I think) in this category, Haley Bremner and Lauren McCarthy. Lauren received an automatic win in her opening round as her opponent failed
to show. The 2nd round saw Lauren lose out with the narrowest of margins losing 6-5 after an extremely close match. Unfortunately Lauren’s victorious opponent filed to make the final leaving Lauren out of the competition. Haley made an excellent start as she secured
her opening round win by 8 clear points winning 8-0. Unfortunately it all fell apart for her in the 2nd round as she lost out 9-0 to one of the finalist. Haley was determined to make up for her loss in the repechage rounds and started well with a 6-4 win the make the
repechage final. In a close match Haley scored the only point in the match to secure her third spot and claim a well earned Bronze for the squad.
Girls Over 60kg category – Havering’s representative in this category was Sophie Roberts and Francesca Gambleton, sister to George who earned himself a silver medal earlier. Francesca
received a 1st round bye into the 2nd round where she failed to progress as she lost out 7-1 to her opponent who made the final. This meant Francesca had the chance to medal through the repechage rounds and she did just that as she secured Bronze in
the repechage final with an solid 9-1 win. Sophie was looking in good form as she secured a 1st round victory with a 6-2 win to take her into the next round being the semi-final. Sophie made sure she secured her medal with an impressive 7-1 win to make the final.
Once the repechage rounds were complete the final got underway. The final was a very close match with the lead changing hands with each score. With the scores at 5-5 Sophie’s opponent scored a Gyakuzuki which was enough to see her through to the end thwarting Sophie’s attempts
to reclaim that final point. An excellent final Sophie and you should feel proud to gain Silver for the squad.
I think I’ve covered everything, hope so.
The Girls finished with 2 Golds, 2 Silvers and 5 Bronzes which put them on top spot of the overall rankings for the girls teams. Well done girls, Borough Champions!
The Boys finished with 2 Golds, 1 Silver and 2 Bronzes which put them into second spot of the overall rankings for the boys teams. Well done boys, Borough Runners-up.
The squad, both boys and girls teams showed great spirit and camaraderie amongst themselves supporting each other throughout the day. The team coaches did well covering the four mats in action so well done to Richard Burridge, Gary Page and Alan Hayter. The
Havering supporters were spectacular definitely being the most vocal and remained in good spirits through the day even when things didn't always go our way. It was nice to see everyone from Havering pull together so let’s see if we can do the double next year.
Photos of the Games can be found by clicking HERE |