 Alex and Aimee Sell from Shuhari-Kai Karate Club travelled to Welsh Institute of Sport, Cardiff, Wales, to compete in the Welsh Junior Open Karate Championships being held on Sunday 5th August 2007.
The Welsh Championships is always well attended and provides the kids with some stiff opposition to keep them working hard.
The Girls 12-15yrs, 3rd Kyu & Over Kata category saw Aimee Sell in action. Aimee had remained undefeated in Wales for the last two or three years in the U12yrs Kata section, this time however, she had made the jump to the 12-15yrs section having
celebrated her 12th birthday in June and was expecting the category to be tough. Aimee's 1st round saw her perform Seienchin Kata and win the match 3-0. It was Bassai-Dai in round 2 and another 3 flags to 0 win. Round 3 was her semi-final match which saw her perform Annan Kata.
Once again she secured a 3-0 to make the final. The final pitted Aimee against Ishinryu's Emma Lucraft. Like Aimee, she's a 'Mottram Marauder', both girls Kata training together with Jonathan Mottram, both girls even go to the same school, the only difference being that Emma is
older and the difference in her speed and power told as Emma's superb Chatanyara Kushanku beat Aimee's equally impressive Chatanyara Kushanku 3 flags to 0. A good silver for Aimee only being beaten by one of the best 14-15yr old female Kata exponent in Britain at the moment.
The Boys 12-15yrs, 3rd Kyu & Over Kata category had Alex Sell competing. Like Aimee he has an impressive record in Wales picking up double gold in his last two forays across the Severn Bridge. Alex started well securing a 3 flags to 0 win for his opening
round performance of Seienchin. The 2nd round saw Alex perform Annan Kata and secure another 3-0 win. Round 3 saw Alex perform Bassai-Dai and with it another 3-0 win. The 4th round semi-final saw Alex pull out the big gun Suparimpei and book his place in the final with another
3-0 win. The final saw Alex against Gojo's George Mole. Alex performed Chatanyara Kushanku with George performing a good Suparimpei. The judges went with Alex 3-0 on this occasion which handed him victory once more in this category.
Although the venue was stifling hot, Alex stayed the course to compete in the Boys 14-15yrs Kumite event. Alex received a 1st round bye but was soon in action in round 2 securing a 3-0 win. The 3rd round saw Gojo's John Green give Alex his closest fight as Alex
secured a narrow 1-0 win but it was enough to see him into the next round. The 4th round saw Alex back in business as he cruised to a 7-0 win to make the semi's. The 5th round semi-final saw Alex secure his final place as he beat his Welsh opponent, Scott Paramore, 2-0 in a
fast and dramatic match. The final pitted Alex against another Welsh opponent, Ashley Watkins. Smaller than Alex but fast, aggressive and an accomplished fighter, he couldn't get inside Alex's guard to score any points as Alex managed to pick off two points against him to
secure the victory and yet another Welsh title.
An impressive display from Alex, not dropping any flags in Kata and equally keeping a clean sheet in Kumite too. This was Alex's last Welsh Junior Open as he'll be too old next year to attend so it was good to go out on a high. Aimee did well too with some impressive Kata
displays only being beaten by her friend and training partner Emma. Both girls are right at the top in their respective age categories and it was good for Aimee to push really hard to beat her. Aimee didn't manage it this time but will keep pushing hard to close the gap.
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