 Three Shuhari-Kai students travelled to Reading to participate in the Wado-Kai All England Open Championships on Saturday 13th May 2006. The tournament was being held over two days with the Kata categories being held on the Saturday and the Kumite
categories being held the following day, Sunday. The three from Shuhari-Kai, Callum Alboni, Shane Mitchell and Aimee Sell were only participating on the first day for the Kata tournament. As in the previous year, the Kata categories were generally divided
into age, grade and also by style with separate events for Wado, Shotokan and Shito mixed with Gojo.
The first of the trio to compete was 6 year old Callum Alboni. Callum was competing in the Mixed U11yrs, 4th Kyu & below category. Callum's group was rather large and being one of the youngest in the group meant he was going to have a tough time here. Callum did well
with his open Kata, Pinan Nidan and although he did whiz through it, he performed it strong and won the round 3 flags to nil. The next round saw Callum against a much older opponent who did perform a stronger and more steadier Kata than Callum could muster and Callum's
Pinan Nidan failed to score any of the judges flags this time. Callum's opponent did go on to win the events meaning Callum had another chance to medal via the repechage rounds. Callum's first repechage round ended in another 3-0 loss as his Pinan Nidan failed to impress the
judges once more meaning Callum's involvement in the tournament had come to a premature end. Callum did well to win his opening round given that he was giving away a good couple of years to his opponent and his persistence will reap its rewards eventually.
Shane Mitchell was competing in two events at this tournament, the Mixed 11-15yrs, 3rd Kyu & Over Wado and the Mixed 11-15yrs, 3rd Kyu & Over Shito/Gojo events. Both of Shane's categories were called up simultaneously and Shane had to flit between both mats for a
short time as they were starting. Shane was the first to be called for the Shito/Gojo event and came up against a very strong contender in the opening round, Sophie Wise from EKK. Shane performed Bassai-Dai but couldn't match Sophie's performance and lost out 3 flags to nil.
Unfortunately for Shane, Sophie was also knocked out in the rounds meaning Shane had no chance of a medal through the repechage rounds. Shane was soon on the mat again, this time in the Wado section. Shane performed Wunshu Kata but once again the decision went against him 3-0.
This wasn't going to be Shane's day as his winning opponent lost out in the later stages of the rounds dashing his repechage chances once more. Better luck next time Shane.
 The remaining squad member, Aimee Sell, had rather more luck than Shane and managed to come away with one gold and one silver from her two events, the Mixed U11yrs, 3rd Kyu & Over Wado and the Mixed U11yrs, 3rd Kyu & Over Shito/Gojo events. Aimee
participated in the Wado Kata event first and had to negotiate through four rounds to collect a silver medal. Aimee opened her account with a 3 flags to nil win with Wunshu and followed this with another 3-0 for her performance of Jion. Aimee then performed Chinto in the
semi-final and once again took the win 3-0. Aimee looked odds-on favourite for the title and produced an excellent Wunshu Kata. However the judges spotted a technical fault with her Kata and they had to award to match to her opponent. Aimee was still pleased to medal and
graciously took on board the comments from the judges concerning her Kata. Having already now medalled with her less favoured Katas, Aimee was determined to go one better in the Shito/Gojo event. Aimee received an opening round bye which put her straight into the semi-final
against EKK's Alfie Wise, a strong and excellent contender. Aimee performed Annan Kata but a little too much power meant she wobbled on a spin. This could of counted against her had Alfie also not wobbled in his Kata and Aimee won the decision 2 flags to 1. The final saw Aimee
against another strong and technically excellent opponent, Sean Perry from Hanko-Ryu. Aimee performed a strong Nipaipo whilst Sean performed a good Chatanyara Kushanku. The judges decision went in Aimee's favour once again sealing her victory with a 2 flags to 1 win. Aimee
was pleased to gain the gold and had exceeded her expectation with her silver for the Wado Katas too. So it was mission accomplished for Aimee and back off home to catch the FA Cup final commentary on the radio for the drive home.
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