EKF MIDLAND REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – SUNDAY 19 APRIL (BY AMY THOMASON)

Another weekend, another trip to Birmingham for a competition. That was the case for me, Jordan, Mervyn and Monique who went to the EKF Midland Regional Championships on Sunday.

It was an early start and via a few back streets thanks to a seemingly dodgy Sat Nav, we eventually arrived at the Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge. The day seemed to go quickly, for me anyway, and before we knew it Jordan’s category was up. With only four in the group, Jordan was odds on to win. He took apart his first opponent easily and was doing the same in the final. However, a very dodgy decision meant Jordan was disqualified leaving him with a silver medal. Obviously, it was good to medal but not what he wanted or deserved. He was definitely the best competitor in that division.

Soon after, my weight category (-68kg) was up. It was definitely the largest weight category for the senior females on the day. After beating an AMA competitor very easily in the first round, my semi final was then against Natalie Williams, who had moved up from her normal weight category. Unfortunately for me, I couldn’t pull off the win so was then left with only one more round for a bronze medal, which I finished off comfortably.

Later on, the senior female open rolled around. I had a bye first round, before coming up against Loren Cook from EKKA. A 3-0 win meant again I went through to the semi-finals, and coincidentally I was again placed against Natalie Williams. In a case of what seemed like déjà-vu unfortunately, although the score line was closer, she came off better again. Once again I finished off my final round for the bronze medal quickly in 30 seconds.

I’d like to thank Mervyn for taking us up there and coaching us. As well, thanks to Monique who didn’t fight but supported both Jordan and I right throughout the day.

Krokoyama Cup 18/04/09 Koblenz, Germany. (By Michael Burke)

On Friday the 17th of April 7 competitors of the Kaizen Central squad woke up early and made their way to the airport where they were meeting up along with our 20 strong group of supporters, coaches and referees.

We arrived in Koblenz after a plane and coach trip at 10.00am. We had this first day to allow the competitors to relax and prepare and gather supplies for the competition, while our 20 strong coaches, referees and supporters enjoyed themselves relaxing at the water front. That night the majority of the squad went down the road for dinner which every one enjoyed and then got back for an early night as every one needed to be up and ready by 7.30am to walk to the sports centre.

18/04/09 The Day of The Tournament.
The tournament began with an opening ceremony which took place at 8.15 and then the first events which were Kata began at 8.30am, with the first Kumite events starting at 11.00am.

The standard of the competition was high as it was attended by many competitors form national teams, and not one member of our squad looked out of place competing at this level. Out of the 7 competitors competing we brought home two medals in the Kumite:

Carla Burkitt won gold in her weight category.

Michael Burke won a bronze medal in his weight category.

Although we only brought back two medals every competitor should be proud of themselves, whether they won or lost, because every one went out their and held their own. Most importantly you could see everyone, not only the competitors but every one in our squad of 27, were enjoying themselves.

People that really stood out for me were:

Spencer Wheeler: I saw a big improvement in Spencer’s fighting at the weekend he went out there with an aggression and determination I hadn’t seen in him before. As well as looking very sharp on the day. He was very unfortunate to pick up a knee injury during his fight, which forced a trip to the hospital and ending his chance to regain the lead and get through the first round.

Carla Burkitt: Was very sharp and her movement and use of the mat was very affective all helping her to win that gold medal which she deserved after a very comprehensive performance.

Whitney Rose: Also performed well making it through 3 rounds before being knocked out in the fourth round of her weight category in a well contested fight.

I would like to say a big thank you to all the supporters that came over and created such a good atmosphere and the coaches John Anderson, Glen Middleton, John Anderson Jnr and Trevor Justin for giving up their spare time to travel to Germany and coach us competitors. Also a big thanks to Julie Gunn for organising the trip and last but not least thank you to our officials Paul Gunn, Tommy Beaton and John Colpus for coming over and representing Kaizen on that side of things.

A comment from Chief Instructor Willie Thomas

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the support, referees and coaching staff that attended Koblenz, Germany and the Midlands Regional Championships this weekend. Not only for attendance this weekend but for your support, effort, coaching and training to date.

Well done to all that competed at the weekend and as normal flying the Kaizen Central flag with honour.

Michael Burke, well done on another medal to add to your recent run of form.

Amy Thomason, you have put in another consistent performance with 2 x bronze medals at the Midlands regional competition and showed that persistence pays off having been awarded your England place at the senior Europeans.

Jordan Thomas, Back to form with a silver medal to add his English title. Love him or hate him, one things for sure......................... you will watch him!!!

Carla Burkitt is proving herself to be a premier performer at the highest levels. European bronze medal, English Champion and now another gold to add to her tally. Great attitude, commitment, loyalty and a pleasure to watch.

Scottish International Open

A small squad of 5 competitors (John Anderson Jnr, Kerry Gunn, Amy Thomason, Michael Burke and Jake Langley), 1 coach (John Anderson) and 2 referees (Paul Gunn and Geoff Marks) went to Edinburgh on the weekend of 3rd/4th April for the Scottish Open Karate Championships in which there were 10 different countries competiting. We came away with 1 gold and 2 bronze medals.

Saturday 4th April

The day started with Michael competing in the Senior Male Kata 16+ event. He did extremely well getting through to the quarter-finals. Then Michael fought in the 16-17yrs +70kg category but as this was straight after his kata he ran out of energy due to all the effort in his kata.

Next up was Kerry in the Womens -60kg category. Kerry started well with a 3 point lead but when her opponent scored a kick she forgot her game plan and started chasing points.

Then came Amy in the Womens +60kg category, Amy won her first fight and then narrowly lost to Katie Hurry, but as Katie made it to the final, Amy came back in the repecharge and won 3rd place quite easily.

John was on at the same time as Amy so coach John was running between the 2 mats. John fought well getting through to the quarter-finals and losing to a Danish National Squad Member.

Last event of the day was the Womens Team event, Amy and Kerry enlisted the help of Rio Smith to give them a full team. In the first round they beat one of the Scottish Teams which meant they met the BIKO team of Natalie Williams, Katie Hurry and Gemma Marwood in the semi-finals. After an exciting match the girls won. In the final they had a rematch of the English Team final and faced the Links team, this time they were victorious and became Scottish Open Champions making coach John Anderson Jnr a very happy man.

This just left Jake to compete on Sunday.

Sunday 5th April

After a very long wait and new flights and a hotel room being booked Jake eventually got to fight in the 14-15yrs Boys -70kg event. Jake won his first fight and narrowly missed out in the semi-finals, this put Jake into the repecharge which he won convincingly to gain a 3rd place medal.

Well done to all the squad who all did very well over the weekend and helped each other out when needed.

Kaizen Kids

On Sunday 29th March we again held the Kaizen Kids competition at the Honbu in Hackney. This competition is only open to inexperienced students that have only competed in a maximum of 2 competitions. The competition was a great success with entries from the Kaizen Central clubs of Mornington, Sharks, Haringey and Tigers along with the clubs of Terry Daly and Kuda Adams from Uechi Ryu. This competition gave all the students both the experience and a taste for competitions along with some of the senior squad members who had a taster for judging and being table officials. All competitors received a medal for either 1st, 2nd, 3rd or joint 4th place and there were some future champions in the making.