News

On Saturday 19^th November, the following members of the Cowbridge SKC squad travelled to Portsmouth, to compete in the SEKU Open Championships 2011.

(L-R Back Row: [ADULT SQUAD) Ashley Hunt (Squad Manager), Nicola Joseph, Michael Hackman, Gemma Hackman, Emma Robins, Shaun Banfield (Squad Coach)

Front Row: [JUNIOR SQUAD] Mena Langston, Ffion Langston, Emmanuelle Davies, Darcy Peel, Rhys Davies)

With some of the best competitors in the UK, and parts of Europe in attendance, the Cowbridge SKC squad were up against stiff competition. Every single member of the squad gave the performance of their competitive career to date, with the standard being raised to new heights.

Emma Robins 3^rd Dan: Emma, this past few months, has increased her focus within her kata study and the efforts had an impressive outcome. In the first round, Emma performed Heian Godan, beating her opponent. This was repeated in the following two rounds, performing Heian Sandan and Heian Shodan, where she beat competitors that had beaten her in previous competitions. Within the kata final, she performed Gojushiho Sho where she achieved an impressive 0.5 mark higher than the closest finalist, resulting in her taking GOLD. Within the kumite, she impressively beat all of the competitors in her way, beating one competitors with an ippon, and resulted in her taking GOLD. She was therefore the female Grand Champion, and was awarded a competitor of the day award for her technical excellence.

Nicola Joseph 1^st Dan: Due to an unfortunate draw list, Nicola faced a very talented karateka within her first round, where she performed Heian Shodan. Her performance was by far, easily her best performance to date, but was unable to proceed within the category.

Michael Hackman 5^th Kyu: Michael did an outstanding job within the kata category, winning his way easily through three rounds of kata, performing Kihon, Heian Sandan and Heian Shodan. His technique was flawless, and did an outstanding job. Within the final, he performed his favourite kata Heian Nidan, and was 0.3 higher than his closest competitor, taking GOLD. Within the kumite he won his first fight with outstanding footwork and offensive skill, beating his opponent with two jodan punches. Within the second round however he faced the winner of the category, and was knocked out of the category.

Gemma Hackman 9^th Kyu: Gemma within her first round performed the kata Kihon and easily sailed into the second round. Within the second round however she faced Darren Corneille – 5^th kyu (Kiryoku Shotokan) and performed Heian Shodan, but was unfortunately knocked out of the category.

Rhys Davies 10^th Kyu: Performed the kata Kihon with his typical power, charisma and gusto, but was unlucky to be drawn against a more experienced brown belt competitor. The brown belt only won marginally however, with 3 flags, to 2. Rhys’ spirit caught the attention of the public at the sides of the mats, who commented on his powerful performance.

Menna Langston 10^th Kyu: Performed excellently, winning her way through two rounds before losing to a green belt, with 3 flags, to 2. Menna has made outstanding improvements in the last few months, and her power and technique have improved dramatically.

Ffion Langston 10^th Kyu: Like the rest of the junior squad performed the kata Kihon. She has been working incredibly hard this past few months on improving her power and technique, and did an outstanding job. Unfortunately however – due to the category allowing all grades - she faced a senior grade, and was not able to proceed any further.

Darcy Peel 10^th Kyu: Darcy did an outstanding job with her kata Kihon, winning her way through two rounds. Within one of the rounds, she faced a talented, experienced black belt, but her technique and power resulted in her beating the black belt. Unfortunately however in the third round, she was knocked of the category by another senior grade.

Emmanuelle Davies 10^th Kyu: This is the most upsetting part of the day. Emmanuelle won her way through two rounds of the kata category, beating her competitors with her outstanding fighting spirit and excellent technique. An administrative error upon the judging table however resulted in the category proceeding without her being included in the running, so she was unable to continue, in spite of her winning every round up until that point. I have no doubt whatsoever that Emmanuelle would have been taking a trophy home, had it not been for this error.

Overall results:

Michael Hackman: 1^st Kyu Grade Adult Kata (Gold)

Emma Robins: 1^st Brown and Black Belt Ladies Kata (Gold)

Emma Robins:  1^st Brown and Black Belt Ladies Kumite (Gold)

Emma Robins: Overall Female competitor of the day (technical excellence)

This is the final competition of 2011, and our small dojo has competitively achieved so much. We are, by no means whatsoever, a competitive dojo. Competition is the delightful side salad to our main focus, which is dojo karate. This years has been outstanding however on the competitive front, with the following overall results from 2011 (from just 3 competitions):

Emma Robins – 3^rd Ladies Master Kata