Saturday
saw the arrival of this year’s Selby Novice Competition. We had a fantastic
turn out from HSKC with over 25 members competing in kata
and kumite.
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| Olivia performing Heian Sandan |
The
day started early for Paul Sensei setting off to manor school to set up with
the help of Mike, Ian S, Matt, Rebecca,
Steve Sensei and myself, soon followed by a few other members arriving early to
the competition. Registration began at 10am and the hall soon filled up with
all 63 competitors and supporting family and friends from York, Selby and Haxby
and the atmosphere of the day seemed to be set with some having competition
nerves, others very excited and most fitting in a little bit of last minute
training before hitting the mats.
Promptly
at 10.30 Paul Sensei called all the competitors on to the floor to brief them
on the day and where everyone needed to be. The first event was 7a (mixed knee
boxing) followed by event 7b and 8 and event 3 (12- 16 kata) followed by events
4 and 5. From what I could see between competing everyone who stepped up on the
mats for these events performed well and shone making themselves, myself and
the club proud! The results showed this with a mix of achievements, Annie
taking silver and Joshua taking silver and gold in event 7b, and Aiwin and Will
M taking silver and gold in even 8. Olivia gained a bronze in event 3, I took
gold in event 4 and Paul B walked away with Bronze in event 5
The
next even to run was the family kata event which was very mixed and very
competitive, with everyone performing strong kata, but Will and Annie seemed
possessed as they performed showing some of the best kata the pair of them have
performed together, and both the Vince’s and Simon’s came away with bronze.
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| Matthew performing Heian Shodan |
After
a short recess for lunch it was back to the mats for the final 3 kata events
with the (12th-10th kyu) event 1a began and what a good
event it was as I managed to watch through the whole event, with it being the
first competition Florence, Isla and Robert have entered they did amazingly
well. Followed quickly with event 1b and 2 where Annie and Joshua came away
again with silver and gold, and in event 2 we had a very strong team going in
and they showed off their best karate with Poppy taking home gold, Will M
stealing a silver and Aiwin sneaking on the end with a bronze.
And
with the conclusion of the kata events it was just on to the last 7 kumite events
starting with (the female 9-12 category) event 9 where true to her love for
kumite Lucy went up conquered taking gold and Poppy coming away with the silver.
Next the event 10 (male kumite 12-14yrs) Joe went up and didn’t disappoint with
a strong performance and taking bronze. And event 11 (female kumite 12-14) didn’t
disappoint either with both Romie and Olivia going up and performing and taking
bronzes.
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| Edwin and Will face off against each other! |
After
a brief stop for the judges to get up and move around a little we were back on
with the final for events for the OAP categories also known as the Over 18yrs! - first was event 14 (beginner - 3rd
kyu) and from the outset the atmosphere around the mats was strong and
determined. Paul D was first up on the mats and he had what looked like his
most relaxed match to-date, then Matthew and I were up and it was a close and
strong round for Matthews first time up on the mats he performed extremely well,
and the final was very competitive between myself and Alan from Selby. The
results being me stealing gold, and Matthew and Paul D taking home the bronze.
Next up we’re the ladies in event 15 and a small 3 way competition it was
between Helen, Katherine and Kirsty who all performed well and showed that they
enjoyed the rounds and Helen came away with a bronze to her name.
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| Ben performing Heian Yondan |
Event
16 (Over 18 2nd Kyu- Shodan) was next and we were all back up on the
mats, myself and Paul be stepped up for
our first bout and the feeling on the mats were amazing the tension between
Paul and I was phenomenal and it was a really fun and good round to be in, then
Paul D was up with Alan for his round and they were both going round and giving
each other a real run for their money, the semi-finals saw Scott Haxby and I up against one another
and for a fleeting moment we were on the mats before Scott took victory, next
Matthew and Alan took to each other on the mats for a heated and what seemed a
very long round. The final saw both Scott and Alan compete to the eventual
victory for Scott who took gold, Alan silver and Matthew and I took bronze. The
final event with the ladies Over 18 2nd kyu- Shodan again saw all
the ladies back up in the mats and again some very strong rounds. With Helen
taking herself another bronze medal for her collection.
All
events were done and all we had left was to pack up and with the help from
everyone it seemed to fly by and was tidied away in no time. And as customary
we retired to the local hostelry for a post completion drink with friends to
celebrate what a good day we’d had.
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| Paul (D) also performing Heian Sandan |
So
I think all that needs to be said is a big thank you to all who competed in the
completion and to all the supported that came for our club. A even bigger thank
you to the officials both sensei’s, club members and family alike and finally a massive thank you
to Paul Sensei for if it wasn’t for all the hours of planning and preparation
he’s put in to organising this event it wouldn’t have been possible.
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| Poppy gets in a lovely long Gyaku Tzuki |
From
me to all a big thank you.
Osu
Ben
visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to find out more about our Club. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk
