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Shuhari-Kai had two representatives at the United Kingdom Open Karate Championships, Alex and Aimee Sell. The championships, held on Sunday 16th September 2007, were being held in Dudley, West Midlands, which meant a very
early start to the day. The Kata events were judged initially on points with every competitor completing one Kata which was scored by three judges. The top 8 competitors then went through to a flag knockout contest.
Competing in the Junior Mixed 10-12yrs, 5th Kyu & Over Kata category was Aimee Sell. According to the category rules, competitors could perform two Katas and alternate. Given the high standard of the field present, Aimee
decided to play safe and performed Annan Kata which she thought should see her safely through to the last 8. Aimee scored 6.4, 6.2 & 6.4 from the three judges totalling 19.0 which did indeed see her safely though with the third highest score. The knockout
quarter-final round saw Aimee perform Chatanyara Kushanku and win the round 3 flags to 0. The semi-final saw Aimee return to Annan Kata and a great performance saw her win the round 3-0 once again. The final pitted Aimee against a Belgium opponent who performed a
good Bassai Kata but Aimee's Chatanyara Kushanku proved too strong as she took the victory 2-1 claiming GOLD in what proved to be a very tough category.
Next up was Alex Sell competing in the Mixed Junior 13-15yrs, 5th Kyu & Over Kata category. Alex's category was the same format as Aimee's, top 8 go through to a knockout contest. Alex performed Annan Kata in the
initial points round and scored 19.2 which was good enough to see him into the last 8. In the quarter-final round, Alex performed Suparimpei Kata but narrowly lost out 2 flags to 1 to Ishinryu's Emma Lucraft who performed a good Chatanyara Kushanku.
In the Kumite events, Alex competed in the Boys 13-15yrs, 5'2'' & Over, 4th Kyu & Over category. Alex's 1st round saw him open up the scoring quickly and a rapid high scoring match saw Alex take the win 10-6. The
2nd round saw a much more comfortable win for Alex as he won 8-0 with time to spare. The 3rd round semi-final saw Alex in control once again as he fought cleverly to win the match 5-0. The final proved a little more nail-biting as Alex let a 7-2 lead slip to 8-8
following a series of warnings and penalty points. But Alex secured the victory and GOLD as he scored a final point seconds from the end.
Well done to Shannan and Fallon Rayman from the British Wadokai (who Shuhari-Kai have joined) who did well. Shannan secured gold in the Boys 13-15yrs, 5'2'' & Over, 5th Kyu & Under Kumite category and silver in the Mixed Junior
13-15yrs, 10-5th Kyu Kata category. Fallon unfortunately failed to make the last 8 in the Junior Mixed 10-12yrs, 5th Kyu & Over Kata category after performing a good Chinto Kata in the tough category and just lost out in her Kumite event after coming up against a much
bigger opponent. Never-the-less the experience will stand her and Shannan in good stead.
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