British Karate National Championships 2008

The official British Karate Championships event was held at Ponds Forge Sheffield over 2 days. Each day lasted 15 hours, not for the faint hearted. Itself an endurance for coach, competitors and parents.

Most students were moving up age groups firstly Team Kata, 2 silvers in senior male and female team which is a new age group of 14yrs and above. Well done to Zach Scott and Becky Mclorie both 14 yrs old taking part in senior team kata they joined more experienced senior performers of Luke Scott, Alex Hodge, Nicole Halsall, and Natalie Charlton both teams did strong and polished performances.

Next up was girl’s team of Danielle Sawer, Samantha Anderton, Lydia Coleman and boys team of Ben Osborne, John Charlton, and James Oxley in the under 15s teams and both took bronze in there respective categories; they are all only 12yrs old and show great promise for the future. There success was also joined by Mathew Aryes in the pee wee 9 yrs and under taking bronze in the individual as a follower to his silver in the English earlier this year.

The girl’s team then turned their attention to Kumite (fighting) in the 10-13yrs Team joined with 11 yr old Stephanie Bateman took bronze with a fiery performance. In the 16-17yrs teams Nicole Halsall and Natalie Charlton went ahead despite only a 2 person team in a 3 person category to take bronze.

Gus Johnston showed a gutsy performance in his 14-15yrs old Kumite category to take bronze. Natalie Charlton got one better taking it to the wire with an extended final bout going to sudden death to take a well deserved silver.