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 This was the first of the Regional competitions under the new Karate Governing Body for England, the English Karate Federation. It was good to see some
big associations in attendance including AMA, Toyakwai, Ishinryu, especially after all the recent turmoil within Karate.
The day started as usual with Kata with Callum Alboni, Jodie Miles, Sophie Roberts and Alex Sell all taking to the mats.
Callum performed a good Pinan Nidan but lost 3-0 and with no repechage was out of the running for medals. Next Up was Jodie in the female 15yrs and under Dan grade event. After an initial bye in the first round, Jodie performed Bassai Dai
in round 2 and won 3-0. In the next round Jodie did Nipaipo and won 2-1 to take her to the final
against Ishinryu's Emma Lucraft. Jodie performed Unsu in the final and lost 3-0 but took home a well deserved silver. Good to see Jodie back at competition after recent injuries.
Alex was in the 15yrs and under Dan Grade Kata event. The first round Alex received a bye. The second round saw Alex up against AMA’s Jack Dixon. Alex chose to perform Chatanyara Kushanku and won 3-0. The next round Alex performed Annan
Kata and again won 3-0 to take him to the final against Goju Ryu's George Mole. In the final Alex performed a good Suparimpei against George's well executed Krumfa but it was Alex who took the gold with a 3-0 win. Alex then competed in the 15yrs + Kata section. This was always going to be a tough group with the likes of England supremo Jon Mottram, Matt Dury, Mitch Scother and Reece Taylor all competing. Alex was up
first against AMA's Matt Dury. Alex performed Unsu and Matt Goju Shiho-Sho. It was was close but not to be Alex's day when Matt won 2-1.
Sophie & Jodie then went into the 15yrs+ Kata group. In the first round both girls performed Bassai Dai and both won 3–0 to take them through the next round. Sophie was then up against Emma Lucraft of Ishinryu. Sophie chose Unsu and although
performed it well lost 3-0 to Emma. Jodie was then up against England No.1 Sam Cannon where Jodie did Unsu the same as Sophie but unfortunately lost 3-0 too.
Onto the Kumite. Callum, competing in the Boys Under 30kg, had a great first fight winning 5-1 but in the second round his opponent was just that bit faster and lost out with the final score 7-2. Aryan Ayerman went through 2 rounds very
convincingly also competing in the Boys U30kg, with a 8-5 win followed by a 6-4 win. Aryan just missed out on the medals losing 6-0 in his final fight.
Jordan Hodges competed in the Boys Under 50kg event. Jordan won his 1st round 4-3 scoring the first point in extra time after the scores had been tied at 3-3 after normal time. The 2nd round saw him win 9-2 and follow this up with a 4-2 win in the
semis. The final proved one step too far as he lost out 5-0 but earned a good silver.
In the Boys Under 55kg event, Andrew Ayerman received a bye in his first round but lost 8-0 in the next but still won a bronze medal due to the number of competitors in the group. Next up was Ali Ayerman and Alex in the Boys Over 55kgs.
Ali lost out 3-2 in his opening round whilst Alex won through 3 rounds 3-0, 4-1 then 3-2 to make the final. The final was close but Alex just lost out 2-1 in a good final to take Silver.
Last but not least was Sophie competing in the Female over 57kg event. Sophie stormed through her first fight winning 8-2. The second round saw Sophie win 5-0 with some good techniques. In her final fight Sophie like Alex lost 2-1 to take a bronze.
Good to see Sophie back in fighting form. |