On Saturday, 5th May, the 52nd KUGB National Championship moved to its new home, The Morningside Arena, Leicester. The Championship is the highest level of competition in the KUGB’s home calendar and there were many highly experienced competitors, including Internationals from the KUGB National Squads and USKF Ireland competing alongside a large number of Karateka competing for the first time.
Despite having a new venue, the eliminations started promptly at 10am and right from the start the standard was extremely high on all areas.
Every match was fiercely contested as competitors aspired to reach the finals and this helped raise the excitement for the many enthusiastic spectators and coaches.
Once the eliminations were complete, there was a short break which allowed not only the finalists to recharge their batteries, but also the Referees and Judges to get a respite from their very demanding schedule.
The finals started with the National Anthem followed by an introduction of Sensei Andy Sherry, the KUGB’s Chief Instructor and Chairman, and Senior Instructors of the KUGB: Sensei Terry O’Neill, Sensei Bob Poynton, Sensei Bob Rhodes, Sensei Billy Higgins, Sensei Jimmy Brennan, Sensei Frank Brennan and Sensei Garry Harford.
To celebrate their outstanding achievements at the 2017 World (WSKA) and European (ESKA) Championships, the Squads of England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland were presented to the crowd by Phillip Gandy.
Sensei Sherry then took time to meet and individually present certificates to those long standing members who had reached the following milestones in their KUGB Karate careers. The total number of LSM’s currently training with the KUGB is over 300 and these have amassed between them well over 10,000 years of training.
Over 20 years
Rachel Allinson – Ponteland NKA
John Bell – Budo Ka Red Dragon
Holly Bruce – Sendai Kushiro
Sarah Chung – Seishingai
Steven Smith – Denchi Kai
Stephen Stubbs – Trent
Stephen Warburton – Rossendale
Paul Dryden – Plymouth
Wendy Farquhar – Isle of Man
Madeleine Wood – Ponteland NKA
Over 30 years
Emma Hutton – Pegasus Wingfoot
Derek Johnson – West Yorkshire Academy
Winston McLeish – Chesterfield
Vicky Phillips – Shotokan Karate Academy
Adam Purkiss – Stock
Philip Thomas – Rhyl & Prestatyn
Neil Rowley – Tsutahashi
Over 40 years
Frankie Heydari – Warwick University
Ian Willis – Ashington NKA
Vlade Zekavica – Guernsey
Richard Hurd – Brixham
Over 50 years
Jane Naylor-Jones – KUGB Chelmsford
Mark Naylor – KUGB Chelmsford
The KUGB’s Mental Health Ambassador, Richard Naylor-Jones then read out a letter of thanks from the KUGB’s chosen Charity for 2017/2018, Mind and a video was shown of Mind’s President, Stephen Fry, thanking members for their excellent work in raising much needed funds for the charity. The KUGB have raised almost £6000. The KUGB’s Mental Health Ambassadors then stepped forward to be introduced to the audience.
Finally, there was a special presentation by Sensei Sherry, on behalf of the KUGB, who awarded the grade of 7th Dan to Sensei Mike O’Connor, Sensei Richard Poole and Sensei Collin Schubert. This is a tremendous achievement for all three individuals recognizing their dedication and service to both Karate and the KUGB.
The finals began with the Children’s Individual Kata and Kumite events with each final showing the growing talent and potential from our young members.
Then followed the first of two demonstrations. KUGB England Squad members Stuart Amos and Jack Somers performed an excellent display of Bunkai (application) of their favourite Katas Gojushiho Sho and Unsu.
Later on in the Finals there was a second demonstration by John Bruce, Sam Light and Jamie Allan of Sendai Kushiro who performed a self defence sequence showing how exciting and dynamic karate is with a range of kicks, throws and strikes.
All of the finals saw outstanding performances showing the depth and strength of the KUGB. It was fantastic to see that last year’s Champions, Rhianne Blundell in the Senior Female Kumite, Jack Somers in the Senior Male Kata and Joe Rawcliffe in the Senior Male Kumite all retained their titles. A fantastic achievement from them all.
The KUGB has three perpetual memorial trophies presented at the National Championships. These trophies are in memory of three Senseis that helped form and build the KUGB into the largest single style Karate organization in the UK. This year they were presented as follows:
The Sensei Charles Naylor Trophy for most outstanding competitor under 16 years was presented to Mia Hillsden from KUGB Chelmsford.
The Sensei Derek Langham Trophy for most outstanding competitor 16-20 years was presented to Thea Priest of Red Dragon Somerset.
The Sensei Enoeda Trophy for most outstanding competitor over 21 years was presented to Joe Rawcliffe of Halewood.
Sensei Sherry was delighted that the National Championship was a such huge success in the new venue. He was particularly pleased with the strong, spirited attitude and high technical standard of Karate from everyone who competed. He would like to congratulate all of the competitors and also thank the spectators, officials, volunteers, sponsors, medical teams and the staff of the Morningside Arena who, together, make this Championship such a prestigious and exciting event.
