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 Sunday 15th October 2006 saw three students from Shuhari-Kai Karate Club travel to Port Talbot in deepest Wales to compete in the Welsh
Karate Association Open Championships. The squad had never attended this tournament before and didn’t quite know what to expect, but as ever they are always on the lookout for new challenges. The squads’ forays into Wales usually prove to be fruitful with the squad coming home
with a bag full of trophies and this foray proved no different with the trio coming home with 4 Golds, 2 Silvers and 2 Bronzes between them.
Aimee Sell competed in the Mixed 10-11yrs Kata event and secured Gold coming through 5 rounds. Aimee had a 1st round bye and then performed Bassai-Dai in the 2nd round wining 3
flags to 0. Round 3 saw Aimee perform Seienchin and once again secured a 3-0 win. The semi-final saw another 3-0 win after Aimee performed Nipaipo. The final saw Aimee round things up with a final 3-0 winning display of Annan Kata.
Alex Sell and Sophie Roberts both competed in the Mixed 12-15yrs, Kata. Both had byes for the 1st round with Alex up first in the 2nd round. Alex performed Bassai-Dai and
won the round 2 flags to 1. Sophie performed Unsu for her 2nd round Kata and won her match 3-0. The semi-final round saw Alex perform Suparimpei and win 3-0 in convincing style. Likewise, Sophie also convincingly won her semi-final match 3-0 following her performance
of Seipai Kata. The final saw a Shuhari-Kai one-two. Alex performed Chatanyara Kushanku whilst Sophie performed Annan. Alex took the Gold on this occasion winning 3-0 leaving Sophie to settle for Silver.
Both Alex and Sophie then entered the Senior Male and Female Kata events respectively. Alex gained a Bronze losing 2-1 in the semi-final with Sophie making the final after winning through with
Annan then Seipai Katas. The final saw Sophie perform an excellent Unshu Kata but lost out 2 flag to 1 leaving her to claim her second Silver of the day.
Before the individual Kumite events started, Alex was asked to join forces with his friends from Vale Karate, Rhys Davies and Natasha Panton, for the Mixed 14-15yrs Team Kumite event. With only three
teams entered, a round-robin ensued. Round one saw both Rhys and Natasha win 7-4 and 15-9 respectively meaning Alex didn’t need to fight. The 2nd round saw Rhys win 2-0 but Natasha lose 11-13 on a close match. Alex went in to fight a little tricky opponent and
managed a draw at 2-2. That secured the teams overall Gold medal position and team title.
The individual Kumite events were soon underway with Alex up first in the Boys U16yrs, Over 5’4’’ category. Alex won his opening round match 10-2 and followed it up with a 2nd round victory
winning 4-0. The semi-final saw Alex win comfortably 7-0 setting up a final between himself and his earlier team colleague, Rhys Davies. Alex started the match sharper than his opponent and soon opened up a lead which he maintained throughout the match eventually winning 8-6
giving him his 3rd Gold and 4th medal of the competition.
Sophie was competing in the Girls U16yrs, Over 5’2’’ Kumite category. Sophie won her opening round match after securing the decisive point in extra time after the scores had been tied at 2-2 at the final
bell. The semi-final saw Sophie eventually lose out 6-2 and having to settle for a Bronze to add to her two Silvers gained for her Kata exploits. Not a bad days work.
The trio ended the day home with 4 Golds, 2 Silvers and 2 Bronzes between them. |