Excellent results for JKS England at the EKF Nationals
The JKS England Squad took part in the English Karate Federation Nationals Championships at the Leicester Arena over the weekend of 8th-9th April.
All the Kata events and the Kumite for those aged 12-15 took place on the Saturday. On Sunday it was only Kumite for those aged 16+ with the Sunday’s Finals being broadcast live on the internet. The event was fantastically well run and mirrored the set up in WKF Premier League and Continental/World Championships with all competitors being held in the warm up area until their match is due to take place, therefore keeping the Tatami’s very clear and much more visible for spectators.
We had a very good day on the Saturday, clocking up 3 Gold medal positions. Rowan Reeve, James Harrison and Sam Jackson took Gold in the Male Team Kata aged 14-17 Yrs. Now they were the only entry but they still had to get up and perform their Kata and the Bunkai too in order to get their medal. As they were the only ones up in the arena with all eyes on them, it was a test of nerve.
Johann Santos showed his consistency and took the Junior Male Kata title for the second year in succession, a great achievement. He is also the reigning British Champion in this category too.
Joe Hird is now also the English and British Champion in Boys Kumite, with Joe beating team-mate Isaac Mitchell in the final to take the Boys Kumite -70Kg title.
Excellent consistency form both these young men, especially in a year when the WKF Junior World Championships are taking place in Spain.
There were many other good performances, Halil Marqeshi taking Bronze in Senior Male Kumite -67Kg being a particular highlight, and overall JKS England finished 4th in the medal table. This was their best ever result at this event and is testament to the hard work and effort of both the competitors and coaches.
They are next in action at the BKF Home Nations in Sheffield in May where they will be hoping to become British Champions.
All the results are listed below.
Gold
Junior Male Kata - Johann Santos
Cadet Male -70KG Kumite – Joe Hird
14-17 Male Team Kata - James Harrison, Sam Jackson & Rowan Reeve
Silver
Cadet Male -70KG Kumite – Isaac Mitchell
12-13 Female Kata – Grace Baron
Junior Female -59KG Kumite - Laura Mackintosh
Para Kata / Development Disabilities - Alistair Milburn
Senior Male Team Kata – Danny Jordan, Jordan Weatherley & Matthew Yardy
Bronze
Senior Male -67KG Kumite – Halil Marqeshi
Junior Male -76KG Kumite – David Lister
Junior Female -53KG Kumite – Amber Bannister
Junior Female Kata – Lacie Stembridge
Cadet Male Kata – James Harrison
12-13 Female Kumite +45KG - Molly Austin-Hogsden
Junior Female Team Kumite - Amber Bannister, Charlotte Haxby & Sarah Howarth
14-17 Female Team Kata - Sarah Howarth, Amelia Stanley & Lacie Stembridge
12-13 Female Team Kata - Molly Austin-Hogsden, Jenna Banks & Grace Baron