Inaugural Tower Shukokai / Edgworth School Karate Club Closed Championships

(thanks to Bill Comer for photo, above)

On Sunday November 26th 2006, the Edgworth School branch of Tower Shukokai Karate Club held their inaugural club junior championships.
As the Edgworth branch has only been in existence for a little over a year this was the first experience of competition karate for all the members, aged from 6 to 12 years.

Referees Andy Allwood and Martyn Skipper were around to ensure fair play and were able to report no injuries throughout the day. All the children were understandably nervous at the prospect of performing in front of an audience for the first time but without exception acquitted themselves admirably.

First event of the day was mixed individual kata. Kata is the Japanese name for the prearranged sequences of movements that represent real battles from history and are designed to practice core skills of karate. In Kata tournament each competitor performs the form of their choice in head-to-head competition with an opponent. The winning performance must show correct posture, attitude, concentration, and accuracy of form. Joint third place in the kata event went to Chris King aged 7 and 9 year old Ben Comer. Runner up was 8 year old Bill Yarwood, and the champion was James Bennett, aged 9.

After the kata events came the kumite, or sparring, in which competitors have to score points according to the level of difficulty of the technique- a simple punch for example scores a single point (“Ippon”) whilst a kick to the head yields three points (“Sanbon”).

Tower Shukokai is proud of its female membership, and the display of tenacity and skill in the girls’ Kumite final proved that women’s karate at Edgworth has a great future. Despite the disadvantage of height and age, Alice Finn showed courage and determination, on several occasions getting her taller opponent, Phoebe Morgan on the run. Nevertheless age and reach proved dominant on this occasion and Phoebe took the title from Alice in an exciting bout that was to set the standard for the kumite (sparring events) to follow.

The largest entry was in the younger boys’ kumite category. Competitors ranged from 6 to 8 years old in this event, and as is typical of young boys, a huge range in heights. In this event, joint Bronze Medal position was won by Daniel Earnshaw and Sam Comer. The Final was between Noah Wright and Joseph Morgan. Could Joe, with his boisterous, energetic style and significant height advantage emulate his sister and take the second title for the Morgan family? As it turned out Noah showed maturity and composure to take the title leaving Joseph at first disappointed, but in the cold light of day pleased with his runner up trophy. Noah and his parents were of course delighted to take the title in this most competitive category.

The final event of the day was the kumite event for the taller boys. James Bennett showed bravery to fight on after a knock to the throat, and his bronze medal was his second trophy of the day. Runner up was Ben Comer, going one better than his younger brother Sam. Underlining the family ethic in the club, Tom Finn took the title, giving another family a brace of trophies to dust.

Given the enthusiasm for this event, it is hoped that this may become an annual competition.

The tournament was conducted with a spirit of sportsmanship and competitiveness, and the organisers would like to extend their thanks to all the parents and competitors for their support, particularly to Kev Finn, Jo Bennett, Imogen Skipper and Andrew French who helped out on the day. Special thanks too must go to Stewart Plowes, head teacher of Edgworth Primary School for allowing us the use of the school premises.