Gola Championships 30th June

A very small squad journeyed to Birmingham for the Gola event, a good atmosphere and a good event. Our kumite squad were yet again outstanding, they are proving a credible force against any opposition. Young Anatoliy "Gorch" Gorshkov was again on form in the cadets 16 - 18 years +75kg, taking another gold, Paul James has kept him current form up with another gold in the -75kg seniors, where Shaun Langson also took a bronze. Rory Daniels and Darren haynes also made their mark in the +75kg event, again a gold for Rory and a bronze for Darren. Our teams were later to put the icing on the cake, Rory, Darren and Shaun taking gold, whilst Paul James, Danny Trott and Gorch followed along with the silver. The WKU have proven to all that under the leadership of Alan and Andy they can produce fighters of the top quality, time and time again they are not only winning in these events but also taking the team events.
Well done to all who entered.

Commonwealth Karate Federation Open Championships

31st May – 1st June 2008

Meadowbank Stadium Edinburgh

The squad selected for these championships were: Darren Haynes (+75kg & Team), Rory Daniels (+75kg & Team), David McLeod (+75kg & Team), Shaun Langston (-75kg & Team), Paul James (-65kg & Team), Caleb Kwong (-75kg & Team), Sarah Clark (-60kg), Emma Knight (Cadets 16-17y -57kg), Anatoliy Gorshkov (Cadets +70kg), Chelsea Weare (Girls 12-13y & Kata) and Sam Difford (Boys 12-13y -55kg). Team Coaches: Alan Flook, Andy Gunton and Wendy White.
Referee: Ivor Thomas
Team Masseur: Martin Flook

After arriving safely at the hotel Friday night the Squad had their evening meal to fuel up for the task ahead, then either had an early night or a pre event massage.

Saturday 31st May.
We made an early start and had an unexpected warm up with a 45 minute walk to Meadowbank stadium.
Today was Cadets and Seniors events and first up was Anatoliy (Gorsh) who gave us an impressive display of kumite winning straight through his rounds to take the Gold medal. Emma was next up and fought very well but just lost out to her Scottish opponent. After a long wait the Senior event began with Rory taking the Gold in the +75kg event. Paul produced his best performance to date with some exceptional techniques to win Gold in the -65kg event. In the Senior Ladies -60kg event Sarah went through to the semi finals with her usual fine display to meet Natalie Williams (one of her main England rivals) and just lost out 2-1 to take a Bronze medal. Next was the Team events, our B team (David, Paul and Caleb) were first out against South Africa B, Paul just lost his closely fought bout, David fought with confidence following his good performance in the +75kg event and executed a fine mawashigeri but caught his opponent in the eye, drawing blood and a disqualification, an unfortunate start but that’s sport. Our A team (Darren, Rory and Shaun) started their day with Darren up first, looking sharp and winning 5-0. Rory, full of confidence after his individual win, took his bout 8-0. Their next 2 rounds were won just as impressively. In the semi finals Darren won again 3-0 and Shaun fought very well against his much bigger opponent winning the bout 4-0. Then on to the Final against the South Africa A team with the entire Squad around the area in support, again 1st up was Darren with skill and perfect timing outfighting his very strong opponent and taking the bout 5-1, next up was Rory winning his bout 9-0 with an outstanding performance of competition techniques to secure the Commonwealth Open Team title for the WKU.

Sunday 1st June.
After another long wait Chelsie went through her 1st round of kata with a well executed performance. In the 2nd round she gave another good performance but lost out on the judge’s decision. In the kumite individuals Chelsea fought very well in a high scoring bout but unfortunately just lost 5-4, this was good experience for her. We saw Sam up next, after his win at the English Championships Sam was confident but a little nervous; he won through several bouts and reached the semi finals where he lost 2-1 to the eventual winner, giving him a well deserved Bronze medal.

Another excellent result for the WKU Squad.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank one of our chief referees Ivor Thomas who had to work very hard, 12 hours each competition day! Thanks to Kevin for booking the flights and Wendy for booking the accommodation and being ‘Head of Delegation’. Thank you to Martin for all the massages and injury advice given to the athletes. Thanks to the parents, Mark, Rachael, Pauline, Geoff and Caleb’s girlfriend Sherrie for their support and a special thank you to all our Sponsors who helped make this weekend possible.

ALAN FLOOK
ANDY GUNTON
& WENDY WHITE

All for one and one for all!

WKU Medalist

Link to Photo's

WKU Invitational 2008

Gold Silver Bronze

Shitoryu Karate Academy 9 5 5

Vale Karate 8 6 8

Gloucester Karate-Do Shitokai 3 7 8

Bristol Karate Club 3 5 7

Jishin Karate Club 2 3 4

Oldmixon & Uphill Karate Kai 2 2 6

Paul Campbell Karate 2 2 2

Wales Karate Kan 2 2 2

Clevedon Karate Kai 1 2 8

Senshinryu Karate 1 2

Welsh Karate Collective 1 1

Broadwell Karate Club 1 3

CEWKA 1 1

Glamorgan University Karate Club 1

Sudbury Karate Club 1

SD School of Martial Arts 1

Shinwa Karate Club 3

West Bromwich Karate Kai 2

Elkai Karate 1

Loughborough University Wado Ryu 1

Patchway Karate Club 1

Kata Jnr Mixed 10-15 - 3rd to 1st Kyu

1 Mr Nick Sherrin Vale Karate Vale Karate

2 Miss Abby Langshaw Welsh Karate Collective Welsh Karate

3 Miss Ellie Barton Shitoryu Karate Academy Hanko Ryu

3 Ms. Abbee Parker Broadwell Karate Club WKU

Kata Jnr Mixed 10-15yrs - 5th & 4th Kyu

1 Miss Bethany Scoulding Shitoryu Karate Academy Hanko Ryu

2 Miss Louise Hicks Shitoryu Karate Academy Hanko Ryu

3 Miss Emily Daverson Shinwa Karate Club WKU

3 Master Ryan Page Vale Karate Vale Karate

Kata Jnr Mixed 10-15yrs - Up to 6th Kyu

1 Miss Megan Coles Vale Karate Vale Karate

2 Mr Grant Ford Bristol Karate Club WKU

3 Master Connor Wilde West Bromwich Karate Kai West Bromwich Karate

3 Master Michael Yeatman Clevedon Karate Kai WKU

Kata Jnr Mixed 5-9yrs - 5th to 1st Kyu

1 Master Michael Holmes Shitoryu Karate Academy Hanko Ryu

2 Miss Chloe Fry Vale Karate Vale Karate

3 Master Edward Van Meerkerk Shitoryu Karate Academy Hanko Ryu

3 Mr Lewis Gibbon Vale Karate Vale Karate

Kata Jnr Mixed 5-9yrs - Up to 6th Kyu

1 Miss Holly Huggins Welsh Karate Collective Welsh Karate

2 Miss Toni Shering Shitoryu Karate Academy Hanko Ryu

3 Master Max Pemberton Gloucester Karate-Do Shitokai Gloucester Karate-Do

3 Miss Rhiannon Shipley Paul Campbell Karate Paul Campbell's Karate

Kata Jnr Mixed All Ages up to 15yrs - Junior Black Belt

1 Mr Bradley Christoforato Vale Karate Vale Karate

2 Miss Yasmin Lee Gloucester Karate-Do Shitokai Gloucester Karate-Do

3 Mr Dominic Wyness Elkai Karate Elkai

3 Mr Matthew Hill Wales Karate Kan EKK

Kata Snr Mixed 16+ Up to 4th Kyu

1 Mr Adam Davis Oldmixon & Uphill Karate Kai WKU

2 Mr Daniel Witts Wales Karate Kan EKK

3 Miss Laura Matthews Oldmixon & Uphill Karate Kai WKU

3 Mr Craig McDowell Vale Karate Vale Karate

Kata Snr Mixed 16+ 3rd to 1st Kyu

1 Mr Patrick Charltron Sudbury Karate Club WKU

2 Mr. Jonathan Kemp Clevedon Karate Kai W K U

Kata Snr Mixed 16+ Black Belt

1 Mr Andrew Kanias Wales Karate Kan EKK

2 Miss Tasha Paton Vale Karate Vale Karate

3 Miss Clare Bonello Shitoryu Karate Academy Hanko Ryu

3 Miss Danielle Lee Gloucester Karate-Do Shitokai Gloucester Karate-Do

Kumite Cadet Female 16 & 17 yrs - Open

1 Miss Sammi Scott Jishin Karate Club Jishin Karate Club

2 Miss Danielle Lee Gloucester Karate-Do Shitokai Gloucester Karate-Do

3 Miss Tasha Paton Vale Karate Vale Karate

3 Miss Chloe Wright Wales Karate Kan EKK

Kumite Cadet Male 16 & 17 - 3 Kyu+ -60k

1 Mr Ashley Watkins Jishin Karate Club Jishin Karate Club

2 Mr Sean Rees Jishin Karate Club Jishin Karate Club

Kumite Jnr Female 10-12 Up to 5 Kyu -40k

1 Miss Bethany Scoulding Shitoryu Karate Academy Hanko Ryu

2 Miss Megan Coles Vale Karate Vale Karate

3 Miss Mia Davis-Porter Shinwa Karate Club WKU

3 Miss Lauren Bowkett Vale Karate Vale Karate

Kumite Jnr Female 10-12 Up to 5 Kyu 40k+

1 Miss Louise Hicks Shitoryu Karate Academy Hanko Ryu

2 Miss Nikita Denner Vale Karate Vale Karate

Kumite Jnr Female 10-12 4 Kyu+ -40k

1 Miss Rhian Esfandiarinia Gloucester Karate-Do Shitokai Gloucester Karate-Do

2 Miss Chloe Pharo Shitoryu Karate Academy Hanko Ryu

3 Miss Imogen Lydford Clevedon Karate Kai WKU

3 Ms. Abbee Parker Broadwell Karate Club WKU

Kumite Jnr Female 10-12 4 Kyu+ 40k+

1 Miss Naomi Marshall Gloucester Karate-Do Shitokai Gloucester Karate-Do

2 Miss Rachel Croly SD School of Martial Arts SD School of Martial

3 Miss Josie Reynolds Gloucester Karate-Do Shitokai Gloucester Karate-Do

3 Miss Tamera Rose CEWKA CEWKA

Kumite Jnr Female -13-15 4 Kyu+ 50k+

1 Miss Chelsie Ware Clevedon Karate Kai WKU

2 Miss Lisa Marfell Gloucester Karate-Do Shitokai Gloucester Karate-Do

3 Miss Amelia Wheeler Patchway Karate Club WKU

3 Miss Hayley Henry West Bromwich Karate Kai West Bromwich Karate

Kumite Jnr Female 13-15yrs - 4 Kyu+ -50k

1 Miss Rozzy Pring Senshinryu Karate Senshinryu

2 Miss Melissa Clayton Gloucester Karate-Do Shitokai Gloucester Karate-Do

3 Miss Rhian Jones Jishin Karate Club Jishin Karate Club

3 Miss Sophie Reynolds Jishin Karate Club Jishin Karate Club

Kumite Jnr Female 5-7yrs All Grades

1 Miss Lucille Ibisi Vale Karate Vale Karate

2 Miss Chloe Carchrie Oldmixon & Uphill Karate Kai WKU

3 Miss Kloe Christoforato Vale Karate Vale Karate

3 Miss Toni Shering Shitoryu Karate Academy Hanko Ryu

Kumite Jnr Female 8 & 9yrs - 5th Kyu +

1 Miss Chloe Fry Vale Karate Vale Karate

2 Miss Megan Weller Senshinryu Karate Senshinryu

3 Miss Lindsay Carter Gloucester Karate-Do Shitokai Gloucester Karate-Do

Kumite Jnr Female 8 & 9yrs - Up to 6 Kyu

1 Miss Rhiannon Shipley Paul Campbell Karate Paul Campbell's Karate

2 Miss Natalie Shellabear &