Children's Competition

Children’s Open Competition

9^th February 2014
By Ian Massey

An early start was in order, if only to secure a space in the car park of the John Godber Centre. Even arriving nearly an hour before the start of the event, though, we joined a queue of competitors and supporters snaking up the stairs and, eventually, filling the reception area. It must have been some relief for the Centre’s staff when the doors to the main hall opened and we made our way in and out of their way.

The point of this event, as Alan Sensei was at pains to point out during his introduction, is to give the younger karateka a chance to compete in a slightly less intimidating and more relaxed atmosphere than one of the bigger competitions, with no big black belts wandering about. While still competitive, it is intended to be fun and the children are intended to be the stars. The smaller size of the venue, with just one tatami, makes it easier for the spectators to see the competitors and those spectators are encouraged to give vocal support, although shouting such things as, “Kill him!” was discouraged.

There seemed to be slightly fewer children competing this year, compared to last and slightly better use of floor space, including the provision of extra chairs after the competition had started, meant that everybody who wanted to be seated could be, although a few chose to stay standing at the back of the stage.

The competition itself included, over the course of the day, various categories of kata and kumite, based split by age and grade, and ended with a team kumite competition. Team kata, which had featured last year, was missing this time round. One thing that was incredibly impressive was the sportsmanship on show throughout the day. Very few of the children, no matter how young, forgot or had to be reminded to shake hands with their opponents and the vast majority were either magnanimous in victory or gracious in defeat. Inevitably there were the occasional tears, either in defeat or during kumite bouts but, especially during the latter, the referees were brilliant at putting the children at ease and, as far as I can remember, no competitor dropped out of a bout.

The kata sections were keenly competed but it was the kumite that showed just how much spirit the children have. Even in the lower age groups, the bouts were entertaining to watch and, what some of the children lacked in different techniques, they more than made up for in enthusiasm. This was especially evident with a very young, very small white belt called Felicity, who provided many of the day’s “aww” moments. Up against a yellow belt, she was first to make a move as the referee started the bout, launching herself at her opponent. Unfortunately she seemed to injure her own foot as she ran over and had to retire injured. One of the most spirited performances came from a boy, again in the youngest category, with a red stripe down the middle of his white belt. Making the final (in one of the largest categories) was no mean feat, especially given that he took some big hits in every round, and he eventually received his silver medal with the biggest smile of the day.

Elizabeth, keen to compete for the second year despite having no team-mates once again managed to meet up with friends from other clubs. This time she was at least partially adopted by members of, I think, the Seibukan club, receiving a bit of coaching from Shaun, one of that club’s black belts, and being among the first to congratulate her friend Natalia on her silver medal in kata and gold in kumite.  

Her competition was a bit of a mixed bag. In Individual Kata, 3^rd – 1^st Kyu, 10 – 13 yrs, Female she was up against another 1^st kyu and they were given Heian Sandan. An apparent hesitation or stumble at the very start was obvious to all and Elizabeth lost 4:1, with only the head referee awarding her a flag. She later admitted that she had got mixed up with Heian Godan.

Always first to admit that she prefers kumite to kata and it must have been with some relief that, this time round, she found herself up against an opponent no bigger than her, but the same grade, in the 3^rd – 1^st Kyu, 10 – 13 yrs, Female section. Elizabeth scored first but her opponent soon levelled and with the score tied at the end of the bout, the judges unanimously awarded the win to the other girl, presumably because she attacked more. (I may be biased, and no expert, but I couldn’t see much difference.)

After that defeat, it came as a bit of a surprise when she was called up again, this time to fight for the bronze medal. I assume that this must have been on some sort of “count-back” but can’t be sure. This bout saw her take on a 3^rd kyu who was quite a bit smaller than her. Size didn’t seem to matter, though, and Elizabeth was quickly a score down. It briefly looked as though she had levelled when Paul Sensei seemed to flag a hit for her, but the head referee overruled him and her opponent then scored again, taking the medal.

The Team Kumite took the same format as last year, with the team members shared out between the six highest grades. There seemed to be fewer competitors this year and those who had stayed seemed to be younger than last time, including young Felicity, prompting more cries of “aww” from the remaining supporters.

Elizabeth’s team picked the name Stealth and, up against The Karate Kids, the pattern was much the same as last year. With the higher grades fighting first in bouts of just thirty seconds, Elizabeth was again up against the same 3^rd kyu who had beaten her to the individual medal. Again her opponent scored first and, with just the one point separating them at the end of the bout, the decision went o the judges who, again, were unanimous in her opponent’s favour. The next three bouts were draws and the final of the five was won by a red belt from Stealth, so the scores were tied with each team taking one win. The highest grades took to the tatami again and the winner of this bout would see their team progress. This time out neither girl scored but the judges voted 3:1 in favour of Elizabeth’s opponent. A slightly better result but one that mean that, for Elizabeth and Team Stealth the competition was over.  

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