The entry was a good mixture of experienced competitors and club members giving it a go in a friendly environment.
The tournament started with the Children’s Ippon Kumite event. Jude O’Brien showed his class and experience here beating Matt Price Jr into second place with Morgan Cain taking the Bronze.
Next up was the Junior Boys kumite event. The final saw Nathan Wilson and Ronan Cain in an incredible battle that saw both these young men giving their all!
Everybody was impressed by the determination and attitude these young LKA warriors showed. In an extension bout Nathan Wilson finally came out on top to take the Gold, Ronan took the Silver and Jacob Backhouse took the Bronze.
On next was the Senior Boys Kumite event. This event promised much with so many classy competitors vying for the title, and nobody was disappointed! Hayden Steel was crowned the champion beating Kieran Tucker into the Silver position.
Hayden scored with one of the techniques of the day with a lightning fast over the top punch in the opening seconds of his semi-final match against James Brown to take the bout by Ippon. James then went on to secure the Bronze medal in the third place fight off.
Emelye O’Brien scored another Gold for the O’Brien clan in the Girls Kumite. Emelye’s array of techniques proving the decisive factor. Holly Dickinson took the Silver and Laura Mackintosh showing great spirit took the Bronze.
The Junior Kata showed the all-round talent the youngsters of the LKA posses with all three finalists also medalling in the kumite. James Brown took the Gold with Nijushiho, Hayden Steel the Silver with Jion and Holly Dickinson the Bronze with Nijushiho.
The first of the adult events was the Senior Kata. David Wright took the Gold with an excellent rendition of Unsu. Ashley Scott took the Silver with Unsu and Jordon Probst took the Bronze with Kanku Sho.
The Masters Kumite (Mens over 35 years) proved again a very popular event with a high entry. The final saw a David and Goliath battle with Dave ‘Chinai’ Bulmer taking on last years winner Peter Banks. Dave took the win, leaving Peter with the Silver and Daryn Hobden with the Bronze.
Ashley Scott and Abi Chapman fought a fantastic final for the Ladies Kumite title. Ashley scored first with a half point for a punch in the Shobu Sanbon (first to 2 full points) final. Abi then scored a full point with a take down and punch combination to take the lead. Victory was in sight for Abi, but Ashley scored an equalising punch on the final bell. Ashley then composed herself to take the extension bout 2 half points to nil. Mell Finlay fought well to take the Bronze medal. It is also noteworthy that many less experienced ladies took part in this event and showed excellent attitude.
The Men’s Kumite event, stacked with high-level competitors, showcased some fantastic karate kumite. The final saw Tom Little and Sam Goulden battle it out for the title.
Tom eventually took the win as Sam was disqualified for an uncontrolled head kick. This gave Tom the LKA Senior Men’s title for the second year in a row. Sam took the Silver and Joe Hart the Bronze.
The trophy for the most outstanding junior went to Hayden Steel for his win in the kumite and second place in the kata. The trophy for most outstanding senior went to Ashley Scott for her win in the kumite and second place in the kata.
The tournament was a fantastic success and we look forward to next year’s event.
