1st EKF Kyu Grade Karate Championships
We left Hartlepool two hours before dawn (approx 6am) on a very cold, wet and windy Sunday morning (22nd Jan). Ponds Forge in Sheffield was the venue of the 1st English Karate Federation Kyu Grade Karate Championships so, Sheffield was where we were heading!
Apart from being unable to find somewhere to park the mini-bus (gratefully borrowed from Hartlepool College of Further Education) the journey was uneventful. The competitors signed in and got changed, the parents tried to get comfortable on the seating and Lynne and Carl reported to the chief referee to find out where we would be working (Judging) all day. Amy (coach) then briefed the competitors and made sure they were ready for the day.
The day was pretty well organised and was done and dusted in about 9 hours, not bad for such a large entry! I think we could have easily shaved at least an hour off the day if it wasn’t for the usual time-wasting issues at competitions: kids not turning up when they’re supposed to, with incorrect equipment, occasional admin errors etc… but no competition is ever perfect.
This was the second time I’d helped judge at an EKF comp and a first for Lynne and we both thoroughly enjoyed it, even though it was like working in an oven – for 9 hours!!
The three competitors (Lewis, Phil, Bailey) that entered from our club did very well in Kata and Kumite despite the fact that this was the first EKF competition any of them had entered. We entered expecting zero medals, we just wanted to get some competitors on the mat as early as possible so that we had something to work on early in the season.
Results are as follows:
Phil Salmons: 3rd Place – Team Kumite, Boys 12-13yrs
Lewis Muldown: 3rd Place – Team Kumite, Boys 12-13yrs
Lewis Muldown: 3rd Place – Individual Kumite, Boys 12-13yrs -45kg
Bailey Reed: 3rd Place – Team Kumite, Boys 12-13yrs
Bailey Reed: 3rd Place – Individual Kata, Boys 12-13yrs
Bailey Reed: 2nd Place – Individual Kumite, Boys 12-13yrs +45kg
We got back to Hartlepool at about 9.30pm making it a mammoth 15.5 hour day and the longest ‘Karate day’ our trio of competitors have faced so far.
Key Learnings: The competitors need to work on keeping energy and hydration levels constant throughout the day by eating and drinking correctly to ensure peak performance.
Next Event: Wadokai England Squad Training, Saturday 28th January – Leicester; EKF Referee Training, Sunday 29th January, Barnsley
Summary: We were a little disappointed to only field 3 competitors at this event despite having a pretty big club, those that didn’t attend missed a great opportunity to get some time on the mats. There is still a lot of work to do with all three competitors in Kata & Kumite but each performed well and if they keep up the hard work and enthusiasm then the future should be bright for them.
Club update – January 2012 (1)
2012 Competition Calendar
SUN 22nd JANUARY – EKF Kyu Grade Championships, Sheffield (Selected students only)
SAT 4th FEBRUARY – Hartlepool Wadokai Junior/Beginner Club-Only Championships, Hartlepool (All members, grades TBC)
SUN 5th FEBRUARY – Wellbeck Invitational Championships, Loughborough (All members, 12-30yrs Kata; 13-30yrs Kumite)
SUN 4th MARCH – Chojinkai Children’s & Cadet’s Championships, Penrith (All members, 6-17yrs)
SUN 18th MARCH – Hartlepool Wadokai Inter-Club Karate Champonships, Brierton Sports Centre, Hartlepool (All members)
SAT 21st & SUN 22nd APRIL – EKF National Championships, Sheffield
SUN 13th MAY – Aiwakai National Invitational Championships, Alfreton
SUN 8th JULY – CEWKA Championships, Birmingham
SUN 19th AUGUST – South Yorkshire Championships
SUN 30th SEPTEMBER – Hon Yoso Kai Championships, Worcester
SUN 14th OCTOBER – Hartlepool Wadokai Club-Only Championships, Hartlepool
3rd & 4th NOV – Wadokai European Championships, Venice, Italy
SUN 18th NOVEMBER – Hartlepool Wadokai JUNIOR Inter-Club Championships, Hartlepool (All members, 5-18yrs)
In addition to the above dates, some other events might be added (e.g. British) depending upon squad commitment to training and ability. Competitors wanting to select for the Wadokai England Squad in 2012 should put ALL of the above dates into their diaries.
Those students ‘serious’ about competition should attend the weekly Squad Session (Wednesday 7-8pm).
December 2011
Hartlepool Wadokai’ last Karate session of the year will be Wednesday 21st December. Classes will resume as normal from Friday 6th January 2012.
DECEMBER EVENTS
Sunday 4th December, Aiwakai FREE members course, Alfreton Leisure Centre.
This is a free training course with Sakagami Sensei for all Aiwakai licence holders. All club members are welcome to attend the course (take your licence with you) but you will have to make your own travel arrangements. Also, please inform a club instructor before attending.
Friday 9th December, Last class of the year at Throston Primary School
Monday 12th December, Hartlepool Wadokai Club Grading, Owton Manor Primary School, 6-8pm
All students with the required number of tags will be able to grade provided their attendance has been sufficient. An ‘application to grade’ form must be completed.
Wednesday 14th December, Last classes of the year at Owton Manor Primary School
5-6pm – kids beginners, normal class
6-7pm – family class, last training session of the year.
7-8pm – NO competition class today.
Friday 16th December, Last classes of the year at Belle Vue
6-7pm – kids beginners
7-8.30pm – kids advanced
Saturday 17th December, Hartlepool Wadokai End of Year Training Course & Christmas Party, Belle Vue Sports Centre
12-2pm – FREE training course for ALL students.
3-5pm – Kids Christmas Party. Tickets are £3 each, this includes a free selection box. Family and friends are also welcome to come along (as long they get tickets 🙂 ).
7pm onwards – Adult social, all welcome…
Friday6th January 2012, Belle Vue Classes re-start, Belle Vue Sports Centre
6-7pm – kids beginners, normal class
7-8.30pm – kids beginners, normal class
