One of our best competition days since the federation was formed in 1994 was held on Saturday 14th April 2012 at the leisure centre in Bletchley. Even though the number of competitors was slightly down on previous years, it was made up for with the enthusiasm and spirit from those who participated. The sportsmanship and effort of all who took part were a credit to the federation.
The day began, as usual, with the youngest of our competitors performing their chosen kata and continued through the ages and grades up to the black belt kata. There were some very good performances, most notably in the black belt category where some of the spectators watched in awe.
The day continued with the freestyle Kumite commencing once again with the youngest competitors who really got into the spirit of the occasion by displaying excellent effort and control. Working our way through the grades and categories up to the black belts, there were some truly brilliant displays of technique and control. There are always negatives, though, to what is always such a positive experience for most that enter. Sadly there were a couple of injuries, six to be precise, who needed treatment, but when you consider how many entered and how little the first aider was required that was, in itself, a brilliant result.
It has been asked that maybe next time we could give the girls between 11 and 15 their own category. This will be looked into in due course, once the dust has settled, but to make a competition for them we need more competitors. So come on, girls, make it an easy decision for us… enter!
One other point that has been raised is that how come the fighters who go out first round only get one fight? This is how a knock-out tournament works but the organising committee agrees it would be nicer if the entrants got a second chance so maybe things could be different next year.
The days’ climax was the annual team challenge where Milton Keynes area clubs take on the Bedford area clubs, and which was refereed by Senior instructors Sensei Kidby and guest instructor Sensei Donovan Slue. This is always a keenly-fought competition where, over the years, the honours have been just about even. This year the event was made slightly different. Instead of each team member getting one fight for three minutes against an opposing team member there was a twist. This time there were six in each area team. The fight lasted eighteen minutes duration and the team coaches could substitute or change their fighters at will any time throughout the contest. This made for a very exciting match and how closely the teams were matched once again.
The noise in the hall exceeded that at the nearby MK Dons stadium. Bedford began by taking a commanding lead but gradually Milton Keynes caught up as the cacophony of noise escalated. As the fight progressed, the lead was wittered away with Milton Keynes, coached by Sensei Andy Gillies, taking the win with a final score of 57 points to Bedford’s 45. Commiserations to Sensei McClagish and the Bedford team but we are sure the title will be yours again next year. Thanks must go to both teams for such a brilliant demonstration of karate and a great end to a fantastic competition day.
Winners:
KATA CATEGORY
UNDER 10
BILLY DAWKES Joint 3rd
MOLLY HANDFORD Joint 3rd
ALEX FARLEY 2nd
HARRY PROUSE 1st
11 TO 15 YRS
ELLIS MARSH Joint 3rd
CONNA LENIHAN Joint 3rd
JACK TILLING Joint 2nd
BRONWYN FRANCIS Joint 2nd
SARAH WARD 1st
ADULT
KATY EGGINTON Joint 3rd
HANNAH MITCHELL Joint 3rd
ZOE McMAHON 2nd
MATTHEW WING 1st
DAN GRADE
BARRY NELSON Joint 3rd
CHRIS TOMS Joint 3rd
KYLE HARRIS 2nd
LUKE WHITWORTH 1st
TEAM KATA
BUSHFIELD SCHOOL Joint 3rd
CONLON JONES, HERBIE READ, JAMIE WHITEHALL
KEMPSTON Joint 3rd
ARAN SINGH, SANDEEP SINGH, DHARMENDER BHAKER
CEDARS 2nd
NADIA LINCOLN, GEORGE LINCOLN, MOLLY HANDFORD
KEMPSTON 1st
AJAY RATHORE, MANDEEP RATHORE, KIERAN GRANT
KUMITE CATEGORY
UNDER 10
JACK WHILEY Joint 3rd
RYAN LENIHAN Joint 3rd
RYAN WALLER 2nd
MAX FOGG1st
11 to 15 YRS
BEN MCMAHON Joint 3rd
JAMIE WHITEHALL Joint
3rdCONNA LENIHAN 2nd
SARAH WARD1st
LADIES
ZOE MCMAHON Joint 3rd
ALISON SHEMWELL Joint 3rd
HANNAH MITCHELL 2nd
DELROSE HIBBERT 1st
MEN
CHRIS HARDY Joint 3rd
MARK DAWKES Joint 3rd
SEAN BROWN 2nd
MATTHEW WING 1st
DAN GRADE LADIES
ALEX THOMAS 2nd
HAYLEY KIDBY1st
DAN GRADE MEN
VINCE CLARK Joint 3rd
LUKE WHITWORTH Joint 3rd
CHRIS TOMS 2nd
SAM FISHER 1st
CLUB TEAM
NEWPORT PAGNELL 2nd
RISELEY 1st
AREA TEAM KUMITE CHALLENGE WINNERS:
Milton Keynes
RUNNERS UP:
Bedford
MILTON KEYNES
LIAM O'REILLY
CHRIS TOMS
BARRY NELSON
LUKE WHITWORTH
DENNIS BIGSBY
ANDY LIVESEY
BEDFORD
PAM WATERHOUSE
HAYLEY KIDBY
SIMON MCMAHON
SAM FISHER
PAUL COMB
MATTHEW WING
MATT EAGLES
(Injured - not permitted
to continue)