Well done to all of you who competed. Everybody performed amazingly well in all their events.
It was a late start with lots and lots of kids in the Pee Wee & Ippon events. Nobody was out before the 3rd round. Well done to Tyler Garrard and Ryan Winney (Clifford Dojo) for doing the best katas I’ve ever seen them do.
Nerves were high (for mums & dads too) as many of you crept closer to the semi finals. Tekki members found themselves up against each other quite frequently from the quarterfinals. Well done to Michael FitzPatrick (Aberystwyth Dojo) – showed great spirit. Meg and Katie Lloyd (sisters) were competing against each other for a place in the finals, only to draw!! It was also very close for Meleri Price who just missed out for a place in the finals. Katie Lloyd, Jess Palmer (Clifford Dojo) and Hannah Rees (Newcastle-Emlyn Dojo) secured a place in the finals.
Ippon Kumite seem to go the same way… with Tekki members having to compete against each other in the quarter and semi finals. I was competing on the other side of the hall, but was still keeping a close eye on you all, if I couldn’t see you I definitely was hearing your KIAs. All of you performed exceptionally well oozing attitude while beating higher grades.
Morris Garrard (Clifford Dojo) was excited to do his freestyle fighting event, not showing an once of fear and looked to be enjoying every second of it! (Strange boy!)
12 – 15 boys Kata saw Toby (Aberaeron Dojo) & Eilir Price (Aberystwyth Dojo) get to the semi finals. Toby also did Kumite; he’s getting a keen taste for it too…. Was looking good.
Sarah Fitzpatrick (Aberystwyth Dojo) went a few rounds showing a nice smooth technique in Ladies Kata, she eventually met former Tekki member Victoria Roberts-Burt who came close to getting in the finals.
Eventually the eliminations came to and end and the finals had begun. Starting with the pee wee Kata, we had Jess and Katie (Clifford Dojo) and Hannah Rees (Newcastle Emlyn Dojo) Jess performed a very graceful yet spirited Hien Yondan achieving First Place, (and left with a MASSIVE trophy!) followed by Katie who achieved 2nd place and Hannah, 3rd place who both did a very strong and sharp performance on Hein Nidan.
As always Team Kata was entertaining…. Our Junior Team (Meleri, Michael & Hannah) performed in the finals and was hit by the Tekki Team Kata Curse! The Kata was superb, shame they did a different Kata to what was announced by the team caption! They were severely penalized with harsh 5.2s all round!
Ippon Kumite followed. Jess received a painful blow to her ribs, but with a few deep breaths to regain her focus decided to continue her fight followed by a massive cheer from the crowed, she fought back. Jess became VERY scary!! It was time for the judges to make their decision, unfortunately Jess lost out for first place by one flag!
Men’s Kata soon came by with John Childs (Clifford/Aber Dojo) and Euros (Aberaeron Dojo) in the finals. The competition was very high, finalist included Paul James, and Christian Whale, both long timers in the Kata Finals at the Welsh Champs. John’s performance of the Kata ‘Go-ji-shi-ho-sho’ was awarded forth place. Euros performed the Kata ‘Sochin’ was awarded second place and was straight back on the floor for Kumite where he fought Alan Wayman form Bargoed SKC. Both scoring wizaries tension was high, Euros only just lost out to Alan. Euros did exceptionally well as he was later awarded ‘Best Male Competitor! What a great achievement!