|
Five students from Shuhari-Kai karate club travelled to Worthing, West Sussex on Saturday 19th May 2007 to take part in the International Championships being held by England Karate-Do Ryobu-Kai.
It was a well run event with all four mats continually running throughout the day, with no hiccups.
First up from our squad were Jodie Miles and Sophie Roberts, they entered the Rambu-ho (freestyle) section for the first time and was not sure what quite to expect, as the kata must last not more than 30 seconds, they ended up finding themselves in the
final against one another. Jodie performed her kata first then Sophie performed hers it was very close with Jodie taking the win 2 flags to 1.
Callum Alboni was our next competitor in the mixed 7 years and below Intermediate category. Callum decided to have a go at Pinan Godan as he was in a group with higher grade karate-ka but forgot the kata half way through but he did manage to pick it back
up and finish but lost the round 3 flags to 0, but all the competitors in this section was presented with a spirit medal for taking part.
Ali Ayerman was next competing in the boys 10 to 11 years Intermediate kata section. Ali was a bit apprehensive as he doesn’t normally enter kata in competitions but he went out and performed Pinan Sandan; unfortunately he lost the round 3 flags to 0, and
then just missed out on repecharge. Ali done really well performing his kata and took this event as experience.
Andrew Ayerman was up next in the boys 12 to 13 years advance section. As like Ali, Andrew doesn’t normally compete in kata, but gave it a go. He had a first round bye, then went on to perform Pinan Yodan but was unlucky to lose the round 2 flags to 1,
Andrew did make it to repecharge and performed Pinan Godan and took the flags 3 – 0 giving him his first medal of the day which was Shuhari-Kai’s only bronze.
Jodie was called to the mat next, she was entered into the girls 14 to 15 years expert section where she performed Bassai-Dai in her first round winning 2 flags to 1. In the next round Jodie performed Annan kata and took all 3 flags putting her into the
final, where she performed Unshu and again took all 3 flags giving her another gold medal.
Sophie Roberts was next to be called. Sophie was in the girls 16 to 17 years expert section. Sophie performed Annan kata in her first round and took the win 2 flags to 1 putting her straight into the final. Sophie then performed Unshu and again took win 2
flags to 1 and the gold medal.
Jodie and Sophie then entered the female 18 and over expert section. Sophie received a first round bye, while Jodie performed Unshu and took 2 flags to 1, putting her through to the next round. Sophie then performed Unshu and took all 3 flags which put her
straight into the final, Jodie went up next and performed Annan, and like Sophie took all 3 flags and a place in the final with Sophie.
As this was an event the girls didn’t expect to enter they both decided to perform kata’s they have only just learnt and not performed in competition before. Jodie performed Suparimpei and Sophie performed Chatanyara Kushanku but it was Jodie who took the
win 2 flags to 1.
We were now in the Kumite section. Callum Alboni was first to compete in the boys 7 years and below intermediate section. Callum had a first round bye, then in round two he opened up the score with a gyakuzuki and then 3 lovely mawashigeri’s to take the
match 10 points to 0 which put him straight into the final. After finding his legs worked in the last round he decided to try his luck again and 3 mawashigeri’s later he took the final 9 points to 0 and his first gold of the day.
Ali Ayerman was next in the boy’s 10 to 11 years intermediate section. Ali found it a bit awkward to begin with as his competitors were a lot smaller than himself, so after receiving two warnings and giving away a point he realised that he needed to use
techniques which he did and took the first round 5 points to 1, which put Ali into the final. Ali had learnt from the previous round and took the points one by one to eventually win 9 points to 0 which gave him his first gold. Ali was then asked by the judges if he would like
to go up into the next section as he was a lot bigger than his other competitors so Ali agreed.
Andrew Ayerman was in the boy’s 12 to 13 years advanced section along with Cousin Ali, as he had been asked by the judges to join in. Andrew received a first round bye, while Ali won his first round 2 points to 0, Andrew’s 2nd round was a lot
closer but eventually he managed to get 2 extra points on the last few seconds and won the match 6 points to 4, while Ali had a lot tougher fight and after receiving a few grazes to his face at the end of time it was 6 -6 so with 30 seconds for extra time it was first to score,
but with no score it was down to the judges, Ali got 2 flags to 1 which put him into the final with cousin Andrew. Andrew stormed in and didn’t let Ali anywhere near and took the win 8 points to 0 and the gold medal with Ali getting the silver.
Sophie was up next with 2 other competitors so we thought it would be a round robin, but no Sophie got a bye for the first round which put her straight into the final where she took the win 10 points to 2 and another gold medal.
After a little wait Jodie was called she entered into the girls 14 to 15 years expert section. Jodie was up against someone more or less her own height and weight in the first round and took the win 6 points to 1, her second round saw her up against a girl
a lot taller and of a heavier weight and after taking a few illegal kicks and being bitten Jodie took the win 4 points to 0, which put her into the final. Where again Jodie was dwarfed by her opponent, after letting the first point slip she pulled herself together and finally
won the fight 5 points to 3 and another gold medal.
Jodie and Sophie decided to enter the team Kumite section and asked a young lady called Emma to join them. They were put into the girls 15 to 17 years category. Sophie decided to go in first and took the win 4 points to 0. Emma was next but just lost out
by 4 points to 3, so it was all down to Jodie who like Sophie took the score to 4 points to 0 giving the girls there last gold medal for the day.
It was a great day for all the competitors who entered for Shuhari-Kai and just as we were leaving Jodie and Sophie were presented with a cup for the best Kata’s from the club.
Well done to everyone who competed, the total tally of medals were 10 gold’s, 3 silver, 1 bronze and 1 cup for best club kata’s.
Squad: Callum Alboni, Ali Ayerman, Andrew Ayerman, Jodie Miles, Sophie Roberts.
REPORT BY: Pat Miles
|