BIKO Report 12 Sept 2015

BIKO Report 12 Sept 2015

Small squads from four Karate Wales clubs; Vale Karate, Ken Bu Kan, Cardiff Shotokan and Kansei attended the British International Karate Open, held at the Sport Dock in London on Saturday Sept 12th, but with dramatic results.

Daniel Page, Kansei’s lone competitor competed in the Boys Shotokan Kata and against some strong Palestinian squad members did extremely well to earn the bronze medal.

Leah Copeland delivered strong and skilful performances in the Ladies Open Kata event and it took all that the WUKF European Champion Joanne Phelan had, to push Leah into second place, and winner of the silver medal.

It was not to be long before Wales earned their first gold medal of the day with Josh Davies of the Ken Bu Kan taking the Boys Wado Kata title. In fact Josh’s team-mate Jacob Denham also made the podium, taking the bronze medal.

Vale Karate’s regular Kata Team of Josh Dwyer, Harrison Williams and Chris Slack had won the Karate Wales Open in June and even earned a bronze medal at the WUKF European Championships in Belgium the same Month. Chris was not present in London so team-mate Max Baker took his place. Without practicing together, except on the day, the boys nevertheless won a worthy bronze medal.

The Kumite events which followed delivered more Welsh success. Sumaya Evans, Cardiff Shotokan’s only representative, was desperately unlucky not to win her semi-final match, leaving London with a bronze medal.

Josh and Jacob showed their all-round class in the 12-13 Years +45Kgs as Josh won another gold, and Jacob another silver!

Max Baker of Vale Karate was Wales’ only entrant in the 12-13 years -45Kgs, but didn’t disappoint, taking a bravely won bronze medal.

The 14-15 years Boys -60Kgs Individual Kumite event was a tough one, with quality fighters throughout, nevertheless both Josh Dwyer and Harrison Williams, both at the lower end of the age range at 14 years old, fought excellently and to the delight of their supporters, each progressed to the final to meet each other!

The tightest of matches ensued, with the pendulum swinging one way then the other...

With literally a couple of seconds to spare, Josh edged one point ahead to take the gold medal.

Leah Copeland had entered in both the U21 and Ladies Kumite events and was at her best, winning both events!

Wales had two teams in the 13-14 years Boys team event; the Vale Karate trio of Harrison Williams, Josh Dwyer and Max Baker and the Ken Bu Kan team of Jacob Denham, Josh Davies and Jacob Condon.

The Ken Bu Kan team all improved on their already impressive individual performances to finish the day with a bang taking team gold medals, Vale Karate couldn’t quite re-create their earlier performances, and so settled for bronze medals.

Huge congratulations to all the squad, in particular Leah Copeland who took two golds and a silver only to be trumped by Josh Davies who left the Sport Dock with three gold medals in his bag.

Karate Wales’ results

Boys Kata- Shotokan - 15yrs & under

3 Daniel Page (Kansei)

Boy's Wado-Ryu  Kata  - 15yrs & Under

1 Josh Davies (Ken Bu Kan)

3 Jacob Denham (Ken Bu Kan)

Senior Female Kata  Open- 16yrs & above

2 Leah Copeland (Vale Karate)

Girls  Kumite - 10/11yrs open

3 Sumaya Evans (Cardiff Shotokan)

Boys Kumite - 12/13yrs -45k

3 Max Baker (Vale Karate)

Boys Kumite - 12/13yrs +45kilos

1 Josh Davies (Ken Bu Kan)

3 Jacob Denham (Ken Bu Kan)

Male Cadet "A" Kumite - 14/15yrs -60kilos

1 Josh Dwyer (Vale Karate)

2 Harrisons Williams (Vale Karate)

Female Junior Kumite -18/20yrs Open

1 Leah Copeland (Vale Karate)

Female Senior Kumite- 18yrs & above Open

1 Leah Copeland (Vale Karate)

Boys Team  Kata - 15yrs & under

3 Vale Karate

Cadet  Male team Kumite - 13/14yrs

1 Ken Bu Kan

3 Vale Karate