CHELMSFORD Shotokan Karate Club has had a recent run of success competing in the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB) National and Regional Championships, competing in Birmingham, Reading and Chesterfield, with a number of individual successes.
Mia Hillsden is among the biggest success stories, enjoying success at all three events, but it was part of a real team effort.
First up was the KUGB National Championships at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, where the standard of competition was very high, but a number of the Chelmsford students managed to get through to the evening finals.
There, Jack Hillsden fought strong to gain a bronze medal in the Junior Men's Kumite 16-17. Next, in the Children's Blackbelt Kata, Mia Hillsden was placed second and Teah Pope came fourth.
In the Children's Team Kata, Aya Rainer, Mia Hillsden and Teah Pope produced a well-timed kata to come third.
For the Adult Team Kata, Jack Hillsden, Eric Austin-Coskry and Sharky Austin-Coskry, all of whom had been National Children Team Kata winners in the past, scored top marks to become Adult National Team Kata Champions.
A larger squad travelled to Reading and the club brought back 24 medals/trophies in both Kata and Kumite events, including nine golds.
There were so many good performances, both throughout the day and in the Finals, but special mention has to go to Mia Hillsden, who was awarded the Most Outstanding Competitor Trophy after winning both of her individual Kata and Kumite events and also won gold as part of Chelmsford's Children Team Kata.
The next road trip was to Chesterfield in July for the KUGB National Youth Championship, a competition for all students aged under 21.
Megan Naylor-Jones came third in the Girls Brown Belt Kata. In the Girls Black Belt Kata Final, Teah Pope took third and Mia Hillsden came top to win gold. Mia then made it a double gold with a win in the Girls 10-11 Kumite,
Chelmsford's final category was the Children's Team Kata. Back in May the team had been placed third at National level but this time Aya, Mia and Teah produced an outstanding performance to become National Youth Champions 2013.
Sensei Dot Naylor said: "The KUGB is the largest single style Karate Association in Great Britain so to do so well in these competitions has been a tremendous achievement for both the Club and our students."
Chelmsford Shotokan Karate Club have been established since 1967 and train at Dovedales Sports Centre and Anglia Ruskin University.
For more information please phone Jane on 07973 672663 or visit www.chelmsford- karate.co.uk
