JKS England Squad Success at the Swedish Open

 
The Squad spent the day relaxing before meeting at the Competition Hall for weigh in and registration at 6pm.  Thankfully everyone made their weight categories first time so it was then time for a good meal and an early night.
 
The competition started promptly at 8.45am the following morning.  It started with Kata, with Ashley Scott, Craig Williams and Lacie Stembridge all participating.  Unfortunately Lacie and Craig fell at the first hurdle whilst Ashley went out in the second round.
 
The afternoon saw the Kumite events.  Oliver Deane was first up and fought very well, making his way to the final before losing out to a Danish competitor.  This was an excellent result given that Oliver had only turned 16 a few days before and this was his first event as a Junior. 
 
Amber Bannister also fought very well and fought her way to Bronze medal in the Female Cadet Kumite -47Kg event.  This was Amber's 3rd Bronze medal at International events in the last year, following good performances at the JKS World Championships in Tokyo and the British Open in Glasgow last year. 
 
The highlight of the day was the Senior Female Kumite -61Kg where we had an all JKS Final with Ashley Scott narrowly beating Melissa Finlay to the title with a 1-0 victory.  Both Ladies have been regular medallists recently and were part of the team that narrowly lost to Japan last year in Tokyo.  The manner of Ashley's wins en route to the final clearly showed why she is JKS England's leading competitor and Squad Captain.
 
Squad Coaches Matt Price and Nick Heald were both very pleased with the efforts and results and competing at this calibre of event can only raise the general level of the Squad.  No rest for the wicked though and it's straight back into action next weekend at the EKF National Championships in Sheffield.

Here is the final list of results:

Kata results
Lacie Stembridge (Female Cadet) - lost 1st round
Craig Williams (Male Senior) - lost 1st round
Ashley Scott (Female Senior) - lost 2nd round


Kumite results
Callam Payne (Male +84Kg) - lost 1st round
Stephen Brown (Male +84Kg) - lost 1st round
Emelye O'Brien (Female Cadet +54Kg) - won 1st round but had to withdraw with injury
Craig Williams (Male -75Kg) - lost 2nd round
Amber Bannister (Female Cadet -47Kg) - BRONZE
Nikki Stockham (Female -55Kg) - BRONZE
Female Team Kumite (Ashley Scott, Melissa Finlay, Nikki Stockham) - BRONZE
Oliver Deane-Male (Junior -61Kg) - SILVER
Melissa Finlay (Female -61Kg) - SILVER
Ashley Scott (Female -61Kg) - GOLD