Chelmsford Shotokan Karate Club capped an outstanding 2014 in their final competition for this year winning eight out of a possible nine Golds!
On Saturday the 22 November a large number of young competitors, aged from five to fifteen years old, from seven different Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB) Clubs entered the Shotokan Tigers Competition held at William De Ferrers Leisure Centre in South Woodham Ferrers.
The KUGB, as the largest single style Karate organisation in the UK, hold a number of British, National and Regional Championships throughout the year. In addition to these, KUGB clubs throughout Britain get together in their local areas to hold a 'Friendly' Tournament of which the Shotokan Tigers competition here in Essex is one. Smaller in scale and targeted to the younger population, it provides both an opportunity to introduce those new to competing whilst more experienced competitors have a platform to prepare for future championships.
This event requires a lot of organisation and we arevery proud that the Tigers competition was supported by a number of Sponsors. They were Church and Hawes, Loulabelles and Edith & Elizabeth (all from South Woodham Ferrers), UK Electrical and Lighting (Braintree), Finishing Touches (Southend), Jeans Laundry (Leigh on Sea), Kamae (Martial Arts Wear and Equipment - Wirral) and Sensei Peter Heal (Stoke By Nayland Shotokan Karate Club).
So, with Karateka from Essex, Suffolk and London arriving early on the day all eager to take part, the tournament kicked off promptly with Sensei Jane Naylor-Jones (5th Dan) explaining the order of events. Sensei Richard Naylor-Jones (5th Dan), Chief Referee for the competition, meanwhile briefed the enthusiastic team of Referees, Judges and Match Officials.
Understanding that for many of the young Competitors in attendance, this was their first competition, the eliminations started with the Individual Black Belt and Brown Belt Kata (set forms). This set the standard as these high grade kata performances were excellent throughout the eliminations. Next were the White to Red Belts and Yellow to Purple Belt categories. For the young karateka, the thought of performing their kata in such a large crowd was daunting. The crowd, who were terrific throughout the high grade categories, rose to another level to support each and every one of the low grades as they competed. The atmosphere was fantastic, with all those competing encouraging each other and the officials were actively involved in making sure those new to competition completed their individual matches, reinforcing a positive experience for all.
With the individual Kata eliminations completed, the KihonIpponKumite (basic sparring) events started. This was divided into three categories based on age; Under 10 years old, 10-11 years old and 12-15 years old. With safety being of paramount experience the "rules of the match" were strictly adhered to, to ensure that both the blocks and counters were delivered accurately and with good control. In each of the categories, there were many fierce battles between Karateka as they fought eagerly to get through to the next round and eventually to the finals.
It was then on to the Team Kata eliminations, which were split into two categories; white to purple belts and black and brown belts. Both events were very well represented with teams for each category competing for the top four scores to get to the final. Teams had been training hard in the build up to the tournament to make sure that they performed their Team Katas with good timing and technique. This certainly was evident as the standard was superb.
It was then on to the Finals that were opened with a special demonstration by Jack Somers, who himself had competed in these Tiger competitions when he was younger. Since that time he was won numerous titles at both National and International level. Although only 20 years old himself, he currently holds the titles of Senior European Kata champion and World Junior Team Kata Champion. We were very privileged to have Jack perform an excellent demonstration as in a few days time he will travel with the KUGB England team to compete at the European Shotokan Karate-Do Championships in Zurich, Switzerland.
From a Chelmsford perspective it was certainly pleasing to see so many of our students through to the finals. In the Yellow to Purple Belt Category, Lee Rifat came 3rd with KataHeianYondan, whilst Anya Dunbar performed an excellent HeianNidan to win Gold.
Next were the Brown Belts and it was an all Chelmsford final. The places were fiercely contested amongst their team mates, especially as all four decided to perform KataBassai Dai. Benjamin Pickwick took 4th, 3rd was Jessica Steadman, 2nd was Romilly Pope who was beaten by Alexander Lockett with an excellent performance of his kata.
The final Individual Kata event was for the Black Belts. The top two positions were taken by Chelmsford students. Megan Naylor-Jones took Silver with KataEnpi whilst Jamie Lottering took gold with a strong performance of Kata Gojushiho Sho.
The finals of the KihonIpponKumite began with the Under 10 year olds. Benjamin Pickwick came joint 3rd whilst Alexander Lockett who fought strongly, added a second gold of the day to his impressive collection for 2014. In the 10-11 year old category. Anya Dunbar came joint 3rd whilst Romilly Pope met fellow team mate, Matthew Gilbert, in the final with Matthew taking gold. In the 12-15 category, Rosie Caddy had fought well all day to come joint 3rd while Jamie Lottering won gold in a strong determined and skillful final.
It was then to the last event, Team Kata, with the first category being white to purple belts. In this category, Team Chelmsford (2) consisting of Calum Brown, Simone Brown and Alicia Willis, came second with KihonKata but it was Team Chelmsford (4), Rosa Conley, Caitlin Glover and Lauren Jenkins, who won gold with an excellent performance of KataHeianNidan. In the Black and Brown Belt Team Kata, Chelmsford (C) Anya Dunbar, Alexander Lockett and Jessica Steadman came 2nd with KataHeianSandan. Chelmsford (A) Jamie Lottering, Megan Naylor-Jones and Romilly Pope produced an outstanding performance of Bassai Dai to take the gold.
At the end of the finals, there was a ceremony where our Sponsors (or their nominees) of each category presented the finalists with their medals and posed enthusiastically for the many photographs.
This brought the Shotokan Tigers competition to a successful close. We would like to thank everyone who supported this event, the Competitors, Spectators, Officials, our Sponsors, First Aider, Dave Jeffery, the Team of Helpers and the Leisure Centre Staff. We have received a lot of positive feedback from all those who attended as their thoroughly enjoyed this event.
Sensei Dot Naylor, Chief Instructor of Chelmsford Shotokan Karate Club, said she was particularly pleased with the standard of Karate and behaviour of everyone who competed from all of the KUGB Clubs. With so much young talent on display, the future prospects of Karate in this region looks very good.
The Tigers Competition is organised by Chelmsford Shotokan Karate Club who have been established since 1967 and train at Dovedale Sports Centre and Anglia Ruskin University. For more information about this competition, or the club, please call Jane on 07973 672663 or visit the website www.chelmsford-karate.co.uk.
On Saturday the 22 November a large number of young competitors, aged from five to fifteen years old, from seven different Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB) Clubs entered the Shotokan Tigers Competition held at William De Ferrers Leisure Centre in South Woodham Ferrers.
The KUGB, as the largest single style Karate organisation in the UK, hold a number of British, National and Regional Championships throughout the year. In addition to these, KUGB clubs throughout Britain get together in their local areas to hold a 'Friendly' Tournament of which the Shotokan Tigers competition here in Essex is one. Smaller in scale and targeted to the younger population, it provides both an opportunity to introduce those new to competing whilst more experienced competitors have a platform to prepare for future championships.
This event requires a lot of organisation and we arevery proud that the Tigers competition was supported by a number of Sponsors. They were Church and Hawes, Loulabelles and Edith & Elizabeth (all from South Woodham Ferrers), UK Electrical and Lighting (Braintree), Finishing Touches (Southend), Jeans Laundry (Leigh on Sea), Kamae (Martial Arts Wear and Equipment - Wirral) and Sensei Peter Heal (Stoke By Nayland Shotokan Karate Club).
So, with Karateka from Essex, Suffolk and London arriving early on the day all eager to take part, the tournament kicked off promptly with Sensei Jane Naylor-Jones (5th Dan) explaining the order of events. Sensei Richard Naylor-Jones (5th Dan), Chief Referee for the competition, meanwhile briefed the enthusiastic team of Referees, Judges and Match Officials.
Understanding that for many of the young Competitors in attendance, this was their first competition, the eliminations started with the Individual Black Belt and Brown Belt Kata (set forms). This set the standard as these high grade kata performances were excellent throughout the eliminations. Next were the White to Red Belts and Yellow to Purple Belt categories. For the young karateka, the thought of performing their kata in such a large crowd was daunting. The crowd, who were terrific throughout the high grade categories, rose to another level to support each and every one of the low grades as they competed. The atmosphere was fantastic, with all those competing encouraging each other and the officials were actively involved in making sure those new to competition completed their individual matches, reinforcing a positive experience for all.
With the individual Kata eliminations completed, the KihonIpponKumite (basic sparring) events started. This was divided into three categories based on age; Under 10 years old, 10-11 years old and 12-15 years old. With safety being of paramount experience the "rules of the match" were strictly adhered to, to ensure that both the blocks and counters were delivered accurately and with good control. In each of the categories, there were many fierce battles between Karateka as they fought eagerly to get through to the next round and eventually to the finals.
It was then on to the Team Kata eliminations, which were split into two categories; white to purple belts and black and brown belts. Both events were very well represented with teams for each category competing for the top four scores to get to the final. Teams had been training hard in the build up to the tournament to make sure that they performed their Team Katas with good timing and technique. This certainly was evident as the standard was superb.
It was then on to the Finals that were opened with a special demonstration by Jack Somers, who himself had competed in these Tiger competitions when he was younger. Since that time he was won numerous titles at both National and International level. Although only 20 years old himself, he currently holds the titles of Senior European Kata champion and World Junior Team Kata Champion. We were very privileged to have Jack perform an excellent demonstration as in a few days time he will travel with the KUGB England team to compete at the European Shotokan Karate-Do Championships in Zurich, Switzerland.
From a Chelmsford perspective it was certainly pleasing to see so many of our students through to the finals. In the Yellow to Purple Belt Category, Lee Rifat came 3rd with KataHeianYondan, whilst Anya Dunbar performed an excellent HeianNidan to win Gold.
Next were the Brown Belts and it was an all Chelmsford final. The places were fiercely contested amongst their team mates, especially as all four decided to perform KataBassai Dai. Benjamin Pickwick took 4th, 3rd was Jessica Steadman, 2nd was Romilly Pope who was beaten by Alexander Lockett with an excellent performance of his kata.
The final Individual Kata event was for the Black Belts. The top two positions were taken by Chelmsford students. Megan Naylor-Jones took Silver with KataEnpi whilst Jamie Lottering took gold with a strong performance of Kata Gojushiho Sho.
The finals of the KihonIpponKumite began with the Under 10 year olds. Benjamin Pickwick came joint 3rd whilst Alexander Lockett who fought strongly, added a second gold of the day to his impressive collection for 2014. In the 10-11 year old category. Anya Dunbar came joint 3rd whilst Romilly Pope met fellow team mate, Matthew Gilbert, in the final with Matthew taking gold. In the 12-15 category, Rosie Caddy had fought well all day to come joint 3rd while Jamie Lottering won gold in a strong determined and skillful final.
It was then to the last event, Team Kata, with the first category being white to purple belts. In this category, Team Chelmsford (2) consisting of Calum Brown, Simone Brown and Alicia Willis, came second with KihonKata but it was Team Chelmsford (4), Rosa Conley, Caitlin Glover and Lauren Jenkins, who won gold with an excellent performance of KataHeianNidan. In the Black and Brown Belt Team Kata, Chelmsford (C) Anya Dunbar, Alexander Lockett and Jessica Steadman came 2nd with KataHeianSandan. Chelmsford (A) Jamie Lottering, Megan Naylor-Jones and Romilly Pope produced an outstanding performance of Bassai Dai to take the gold.
At the end of the finals, there was a ceremony where our Sponsors (or their nominees) of each category presented the finalists with their medals and posed enthusiastically for the many photographs.
This brought the Shotokan Tigers competition to a successful close. We would like to thank everyone who supported this event, the Competitors, Spectators, Officials, our Sponsors, First Aider, Dave Jeffery, the Team of Helpers and the Leisure Centre Staff. We have received a lot of positive feedback from all those who attended as their thoroughly enjoyed this event.
Sensei Dot Naylor, Chief Instructor of Chelmsford Shotokan Karate Club, said she was particularly pleased with the standard of Karate and behaviour of everyone who competed from all of the KUGB Clubs. With so much young talent on display, the future prospects of Karate in this region looks very good.
The Tigers Competition is organised by Chelmsford Shotokan Karate Club who have been established since 1967 and train at Dovedale Sports Centre and Anglia Ruskin University. For more information about this competition, or the club, please call Jane on 07973 672663 or visit the website www.chelmsford-karate.co.uk.
