Capital Open - 12th July 2009 (by Keanu Mayhew)

Kaizen Central had yet another good run in yet another competition in Clacton on the 12th of July. Once again everybody who went gave 100% and more, with a total of 22 medals (5 golds, 9 silvers & 8 bronzes), almost everyone came away with something, but those unlucky few such as Tommy, Spencer, Whitney and Laura who didn’t get anything this time but still gave their best performance. Well done everyone.

The day (as it usually does) started off with kata.
Me & Michael Burke were in the 15-17 yrs event where some good katas were shown but in the end I got a 3rd and Michael came out on top with 1st. Then a couple of minutes later we were both up again in the 16+, I improved (with thanks to Sensei John Anderson for on the spot coaching) and came away with a 2nd and then Michael (making kata look easy) came away with another well deserved 1st.

Whilst we were doing this Shaun Anderson played his part, even thou I didn’t see his katas I heard that they were very good which earned him a 1st place. Cameron Russell got 2nd & two Tigers kata team (one who had Cameron, Jak & Georgia in it, the other with Gabi & Katlin) won a 2nd in their categories.

After kata was done and dusted with it was time for us to move on to kumite.

Jake Langley, who I know always gives his best had some great fights in his category and came out with a 3rd. Cameron Russell again gave a brilliant show and clamed a 3rd to show it.

Moving on to the juniors now, Gabi Burrows and Azizah Fadare both fought brilliantly and both earned a 1st place in their categories. Malik Fadare also fought well and took a 2nd.

Once again me and Michael both fought in two separate categories. In both Michael took away a 3rd, I however did not have as much luck this time and didn’t win anything.

Also bad luck to Tommy and Spencer who both fought brilliantly in their fights but was unlucky not to win anything (keep up the good work boys)

Finally the Girls were up. In one category we had Amy Thomason, Carla Burkitt, Whitney Rose, Laura Wheeler & Kerry Gunn all fighting at their usual high standard and determination with some good displays of fighting as well. With the girls having to fight each other (Whitney against Amy, with Amy winning & Carla against Kerry, with Carla winning) Whitney unfortunately was knocked out leaving Kerry and Amy to take joint 3rd and Carla to win 2nd.

I missed Sarria Joseph & Georgia Burrows fights, but they both obviously did well as both of them had a 2nd place to show for it and Sarria also had a 3rd from a previous category.

Thank you to all the coaches for their help on the day and to the parents for getting us to all the competitions and a big well done to everyone who attended.

Results

Gold
Michael Burke (2) - Kata (15-17yrs) & Kata (Senior 16+)
Shaun Anderson - Kata
Azizah Fadare - Kumite
Gabi Burrows - Kumite

Silver
Malik Fadare (2) - Kata & Kumite
Keanu Mayhew - Kata (Senior 16+)
Sarria Joseph - Kumite (15yrs & under)
Carla Burkitt - Kumite (Senior 16+)
Cameron Russell - Kata
Georgia Burrows - Kumite
Tigers Team Kata (Cameron, Jak & Georgia)
Tigers Team Kata (Gabi & Katlin)

Bronze
Keanu Mayhew - Kata (15-17yrs)
Sarria Joseph - Kumite (15-18yrs)
Michael Burke (2) - Kumite (15-18yrs) & Kumite (Senior 16+)
Jake Langley - Kumite (15yrs & under)
Amy Thomason - Kumite (Senior 16+)
Kerry Gunn - Kumite (Senior 16+)
Cameron Russell - Kumite