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 Sunday 19th October 2008 saw only two Shuhari-Kai squad members take up the challenge of competing in the KDI Invitational Karate Championships being hosted by Karate-Do International, Sophie
Roberts and Alex Sell. The competition was being held in Barking Abbey School Sports Hall and so was a very local competition to attend. Both Sophie and Alex did well each bringing home a Gold and a Bronze medal each.
Sophie competed in the Girls Junior Dan Grade Kumite event and had a very tough opening round match against a Junior England squad member. Sophie fought bravely and won the match 2-0 to make it to the semi-finals. Sophie failed to make the finals however,
as she then lost her next fight 2-1 being penalised for stepping out of the area and giving the final winning point to her opponent. So it was Bronze for Sophie who then competed in the Female Team Kumite event along with Kate Karwasinski and Nicole Taylor both from Barking
Abbey Ishinryu. Sophie fought first in the opening round of the team event and won a blistering round 8-0 to set the team up. Not to be out done, Kate matched Sophie's win securing her own 8-0 win too. With 2 wins from 2 fights the team were into the finals. Once again Sophie
was up first for the team and secured the all important first fight victory winning 5-0. Kate was the teams second fighter once more and her 7-1 win for the team saw them secure the title in impressive style. Poor Nicole didn't even get close to fighting in the team.
Alex competed in the Boys Junior Dan Grade Kumite event and found himself up against little Chris Karwasinski from Barking Abbey Ishinryu. Chris got stuck into Alex and scored a point against him but Alex's height, reach, age, experience, etc was too
much for Chris as Alex secured a 6-1 win. The semi-final saw Alex up against a KDI opponent and Alex stepped it up securing a 8-0 win. The final saw Alex win the match 10-2 dropping a point and giving a penalty point away for excessive contact but easily securing the Gold.
It was then on to the Male Team Kumite event with Alex teaming up with Alan Evans and Billy Bates from Barking Abbey Ishinryu. The team were up against the KDI team and Alex fighting first found himself facing a rather large 20 year old. Alex got drew
the fight 2-2 leaving the other two members with some work to do. Billy fought next but a tough match against an England U21 squad member saw him lose 3-0. It was left up to Alan to rescue the fortunes of the team but another tough fight saw Alan lose out 4-1 ending the teams
progress. Nevertheless the team fought hard and too a well deserved bronze for their efforts and spirit.
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