49th KUGB National Championships (2015) - Saturday 2nd May 2015

On Saturday 2nd May, Karateka from all around the UK and Ireland descended upon the City of Birmingham for our 49th National Championship at the Barclaycard Arena (formerly the National Indoor Arena). Both competitors and spectators alike arrived early all excited to be part of this prestigious tournament that is one of the most significant in the KUGB calendar.

The competition is open to all grades for Kata and 6th Kyu and above for Kumite, with athletes competing for the first time through to seasoned 'world class' competitors. There was also the added incentive for competitors, including many current European and World Champions, to catch the eye of their National Squad Coaches in a bid to gain selection for the International Competitions later in the autumn. This not only includes the WSKA World Championships in Poland but also the ESKA Europeans that will be hosted in Crawley, England.

Sensei Sherry held a briefing for the Referees and Judges and then the eliminations began at 10am, with twelve match areas. Right from the start there was a high standard of karate on display, with many outstanding performances in both the kata and kumite events. Each and every match was fiercely contested as karateka fought for places in the Finals.

With the eliminations complete there was a brief break for both the competitors and the referees to ready themselves for the National Finals.

The finals began with the National Anthem followed by the introduction of Sensei Sherry, the KUGB's Chief instructor and Chairman, and the members of the KUGB Technical Committee. Following this, Sensei Sherry then presented certificates to thirty-eight of our Long Standing Members (LSM) who had reached the following milestones in their KUGB careers.

20 Years
Carol Fortune - Red Triangle
Adam Hogbin - Houghton Sendai
Carl Howard - Ichiban
Susan Howard - Ichiban
Paul Kirkham - Handbridge
Wayne Lottering - Chelmsford
James Turner - Pegasus Wingfoot
Sarah Stopforth - Red Triangle

30 years
Ray Alsop - Torbay
Johnny Chung - Mill Lodge
Geoff Cole - Picton
Dean De'ath - Hollies
Mick De'ath - Hollies
Anthony Denham - Portsmouth
Chris Dewsbury - Pegasus Wingfoot
Jill Kelly - Ashington
Elaine Lane - Cullompton
Josie MacLaren - Torashin
Syd Mavris - Red Triangle
Joseph Mee - South Beach
Patsy Porter - Hollies
Steve Potts - Mitsubachi
Ian Stopforth - Red Triangle
Kate Taylor - Haslemere

40 years
Bernard Bark - Sonkei
Ivan Birch - Red Lion
David Beckham - Portsmouth
Terry Brine - Haslemere
Alf Hatton
Wai-Yin Hatton
John Lever - Haslemere
Julie Nicholson - Ronin
Paul O'Brien Haslemere
Lyn Padgett - Barnsley
Kelvin Price - Ystrad Mynach
Stephen Prince - Haslemere
Keith Robinson - Pegasus Wingfoot
Joe Shorrock - Salford Academy
Collin Schubert - Sonkei
Rob Welsh - Tamworth

Sensei Sherry then presented a cheque for £2,600 to Mr.Tony Eckersall, from the Charity DEBRA.

Finally, there was a special presentation by Sensei Sherry, on behalf of the KUGB, who awarded the grade of 8th Dan to Sensei Jimmy Brennan, Sensei Frank Brennan and Sensei Garry Harford. He then awarded the grade of 7th Dan to Sensei Robert Welsh. This is a tremendous achievement for all four individuals recognizing their technical expertise, dedication and service to both Karate and the KUGB.

The finals then began with the Children's Kata and Kumite events. In every event the talent on display and standard of their performances were excellent. Prior to the adult finals Sensei John Bruce, Sam Light and Jamie Allan of Sendai Kushiro treated the crowd to a self defence demonstration. Those watching witnessed how dynamic karate is with kicks, throws and strikes as Sensei Bruce fought off his attackers.

Throughout the finals and in all categories, from children to adults, the performances were outstanding, highlighting the strength and depth of the KUGB. In the Senior events the following retained their titles; Joe Rawcliffe in the Senior Men's Individual Kumite, Holly Sterling in the Senior Female Kata and Hisham Saif in the Senior Male Kata. A fantastic achievement for all three. Furthermore, Rhianne Blundell who won the Senior Female Individual Kumite was part of the outstanding Halewood Female Team that won the title for a sixth successive year!

The KUGB has three memorial trophies presented each year at the National Championships. These trophies are in memory of three Senseis that helped form and build the KUGB into the unique and world-renowned Karate organization that it is today. This year they were presented as follows:

The Sensei Charles Naylor Trophy for most outstanding competitor under 16 years was presented to Leanne Royle from USKF Ireland.

The Derek Langham Trophy for most outstanding competitor 16-20 years was presented to Connor Wilson from St Johns.

The Sensei Enoeda Trophy for most outstanding competitor Over 21 years was presented to Joe Rawcliffe from Halewood.

At the end of the competition, Sensei Sherry said that this year's National Championship was yet again a huge success. He was particularly pleased with the strong attitude and performance within our junior levels as they aspire to emulate the high standard of Karate established in the senior categories. Sensei Sherry would also like to thank not only the competitors but also the spectators, officials, volunteers, sponsors, medical teams and the staff of the Barclaycard Arena who, together, make this Championship such a prestigious and exciting event.

 

Male Team Kumite

1. Cambridge University
2. Haleood
3. Sendai Kushiro
3. KUGB Edinburgh
 

Senior Male Kumite

1. Joe Rawcliffe - Halewood
2. Ryan Tucker - Leeds Shotokan
3. Greg Hegarty - Solihull Karate Academy
3. Graeme Lennie - KUGB Edinburgh
 

Male Kata

1. Hisham Saif - Al Ghazali
2. Jack Somers - Ipswich Higashi
3. Stuart Amos - Red Triangle
4. Connor Wilson - St Johns
 

Female Team Kumite

1. Halewood
2. University of Manchester
3. Chelmsford
3. Red Lion
 

Female Senior Kumite

1. Rhianne Blundell - Halewood
2. Rebecca Rawcliffe - Halewood
3. Cristina Finta - University of Manchester
3. Caroline McGrath - Ronin
 

Female Kata

1. Holly Sterling - Sendai Kushiro
2. Cristina FInta - University of Manchester
3. Kenita Hallmark - Red Triangle
4. Jess Palmer - Tekki RS
 

Adult Team Kata

1. Sendai Kushiro
2. Cambridge University
3. Sonkei
4. Chelmsford B
 

Male Junior Kumite 18-20 years

1. Ethan Armstrong - Leeds Shotokan
2. Chris Schuman - Kirkby
3. Andrew Lennie - KUGB Edinburgh
3. Cameron Graham - Kirkby
 

Female Junior Kumite 16-20 years

1. Nicole Donoghue - St Helens
2. Beth Nicholson - Sendai Kushiro
3. Kenita Hallmark - Red Triangle
3. Lucy Baker - Kyoshin
 

Male Junior Kumite 16-17 years

1. Connor Wilson - St Johns
2. Ryan Spencer - Sendai Kushiro
3. Brandon Sim - St Johns
3. James Humphries - Leeds Shotokan
 

Children's Team Kata

1. Al Ghazali
2. Sendai Kushiro A
3. Chelmsford A
4. USKF Ireland
 

Boy's Kumite over 5'5"

1. Callum Wilson - St Johns
2. Jamie Allan - Sendai Kushiro
3. Aidan McLean - Malvern
3. Shaun Mills - St Helens
 

Girl's Kumite over 5'3"

1. Leeanne Royle - USKF Ireland
2. Maya Burns - Sendai Kushiro
3. Renee Spence - St Johns
3. Aimee Guy - Malvern
 

Boy's Kumite 5'-5'5"

1. Josh Penn - Kirkby
2. Conal Donnelly - Ventures II
3. Matthew Gibson - Sendai Kushiro
3. Joshua Young - Sendai Kushiro
 

Girl's Kumite under 5'3"

1. Carly Lewis - Merthyr Tydfil
2. Thea Priest - Milverton Red Dragons
3. Cenya Russell - Sendai Kushiro
3. Sophie Farrell - USKF Ireland
 

Boy's Kumite under 5'

1. Thomas Currie - Zanshin NI
2. Cameron Mainwaring - Porthcawl
3. Tomas Moya - Ystrad Mynach
3. Jack O'Neill - Malvern
 

Boy's Kumite 10-11

1. Colm McKeegan - Zanshin NI
2. Michael Malloy - Kirkby
3. Marcus Barker - Kirkby
3. Bradley Barker - Kirkby
 

Children's Dan Grade Kata

1. Rachel Edwards - Porthcawl
2. Leeanne Royle - USKF Ireland
3. Mapalo Mwenya - USKF Ireland
4. Leon Hoban - USKF Ireland
 

Girl's Kumite 10-11

1. Grace Crouch - Red Lion
2. Eleanor Blundell - York Elite
3. Erin Davies - Tekki RS
3. Lucy Phillips - Merthyr Tydfil
 

Ippon Kumite

1. Louis Jackson - Leeds Shotokan
2. Amelia Lait - Stoke by Nayland
3. Alexander Lockett - Chelmsford
3. Morgan Barnett - Tekki RS
 

Children's Kyu Grade Kata

1. Ryan Attewell - South Notts
2. Raymond Hassanzadeh - St Johns
3. Erin Davies - Tekki RS
4. Anna Davies - Malvern
 

 

Joseph Rawcliffe awarded the Sensei Enoeda Memorial Trophy
 

Connor Wilson awarded the Sensei Derek Langham Memorial Trophy
 

Leanne Royle awarded the Sensei Charles Naylor Memorial Trophy
 

Sensei's Frank Brennan, Garry Harford and Jimmy Brennan awarded 8th Dan
 

Sensei Rob Welsh Awarded 7th Dan