March News 09

The selected squad members from LKK attended the AMA International Karate Championships this year with a change of venue from Nottingham to Ponds Forge Sports Centre, Sheffield. Held over Saturday 28th February and Sunday 1st March ’09, with over 1100 competitors representing their associations from 22 countries, including Denmark, Portugal, Iran, Malta, Ireland, Wales, Ukraine and even as far afield as Australia. The event once again lived up to its reputation as one of Britain's and indeed one of Europe's premier events.

First to compete on the Saturday was our newly formed Kata Team, this was the first major event that they have competed in. First to compete was Sam Day and Tom Raymer in 10/15yrs 4th Kyu and below, they were placed on separate half’s of the draw and both made their way through the rounds to the semi final. Unfortunately this was as far as Tom was to go, but Sam went on to take the Bronze. Next up was the 9yrs and under Open Grade Kata. We had 4 competing in this section, Zak Coates and Ben Jones had early 1st round exits which left Lincon Pretlove and Laurence Gill, both boys making their way to the semi finals where they met to contest the Bronze medal which Laurence went on to win on this occasion.

In the Kumite sections in the 9yrs old and under, Zak Coates was our only competitor to reach the medal position where he secured a well deserved Bronze. Chloe Duce was asked to join the EKKA Blackwell Academy team where she helped them take the Silver medal in the Girls 10/13yrs team event.

Day 2 the Senior Team were in action, Nathan Knights in the Men's Open Weight 4th Kyu and below battled his way to the final where he managed to win his first International Silver medal. Daniel Szabo stepped up to the Open Weight 14/15yrs section where he was fighting on top form but unfortunately had to pull out due to injury but still took the Bronze medal. Chris Harris in the Senior Men's -60kg was true to form and once again made the final but lost out to another international fighter in a close final but took the Silver. Loren Cook in the Senior Ladies -68kg took our only Gold medal of the championships, she was looking unstoppable from the word go brushing aside all to take the title this year. Emily Griffiths unfortunately missed her section in the Senior Ladies -50kg so she stepped up a weight section to -55kg and proved to be a top competitor in which ever group she competes winning the Silver medal.

Gold: 1
Silver: 4
Bronze: 4

Juniors: Laurence Gill, Zak Coates, Tom Raymer, Sam Day, Jake Pickering, Mitchell Williams, Chloe Duce, Ben Jones, Lincon Pretlove, Kelly Pender, Daniel Szabo.

Seniors: Nathan nights, Emily Griffiths, Chris Harris, Loren Cook.

Links Karate Kai travelled to Sheffield on the 21st and 22nd of March to Ponds Forge International Sports Centre. With a small but highly experienced LKK Squad to compete in the English National Junior and Senior Championships in their bids to win National titles. First to compete was Chloe Duce, our only Junior from LKK to make the team, competing in the 12/13yrs +45kg section she unfortunately had an early exit in the first round to the overall winner of her section, but gained valuable experience for the future.

Our Senior Team were to follow with Loren Cook in the Senior Ladies 18yrs + -67kg, as always a top competitor but just missed out on the Gold in the closing seconds of the final and had to settle for the Silver. Emily Griffiths competing in 2 sections did the LKK Team proud, first, in the 18/20yrs -53kg securing the Silver then entered her own weight section 18yrs + -50kg winning our first Gold medal of the day.

Chris Harris in the Senior Men -60kg once again proved to be the top English competitor in this weight section adding this year’s English title to his ever growing medal tally. Sam Beck last years English Champion in the Ladies Veterans open weight section fought her way through the rounds but had to settle for the Bronze this year.

Our last event of the day was the Ladies Senior Team event, the LKK Team excelled themselves on the way to the final taking the Gold medal making this our third Gold of the day.

Gold: 3
Silver: 2
Bronze: 1

Chloe Duce, Loren Cook, Sam Beck, Emily Griffiths and Chris Harris.

Jessica Olney and Lee Fenner have just received their Tiger 8 Red/Black stripe belts. The assessment was held at Gt Holland on Saturday 28Th March. This is a great achievement for the youngsters as there has only been one other Tiger, Eathon Day, to reach the Red/Black stripe tiger belt. While they have been attending the Tiger classes they have gained basic karate techniques and disciplines in the specially adapted class for the 3/5year olds. The pair have both been training in the Tiger class since their 3rd birthdays. Well done to both these Links Tigers.