English Karate Structure - Trieste National Squad
Statement reproduced with kind permission from the English National Karate Federation (EKF) concerning the recent National Squad Selections that took place on the 9th December at Bisham for the WKF Junior and Cadet European Championships due to be held in Trieste in February 2008. So if Sport Karate interests you then these are the young men and women that you should look to for inspiration. Well done to them all for an outstanding achievement.
Sunday 9th December 2007 saw over 100 Athletes come together to train and select for the forthcoming European Junior & Cadet Championships for February 2008. After the recent Championships in Turkey many were looking forward to the next major Championships, and turned out in force. With more and more associations joining and showing their support for the English Karate Federation family it was an extremely successful day and it was great to see such a massive turn out.
Training was split with Jonathan Mottram taking the Kata sessions and Wayne Otto OBE heading the Kumite session aided by Juliette Toney and Greg Francis with National Coach Ticky Donovan OBE overseeing the groups. Greg Francis took all the Athletes through his 'Fit 2 Fite' adrenalin pumping warm up session! After 30mins the Athletes split into 2 groups for training kata and kumite. After the Athletes were put through their paces, the selections began. For some this was their first time selecting and for others this was their last time as Juniors so the pressure was on to make the grade.
Selections started with Kata and with the standard extremely high the panel had a some difficult decisions to make. Following on from Kata, Kumite selections began with both mats being used between male and female fighters. Once again the Athletes performed to the best of their abilities and the supporters witnessed some excellent fights. Unfortunately, as in any competition only a few can come out on top. This time the following Athletes were selected with the remaining athletes encouraged to keep training and selecting, as they represent some of the best karate ka in their age groups. Selected squad:
Male - Cadets
Gareth Hains - Kata
Ashley Tancock - U60kg
Tyrone Josephine - U65kg
Alex Sell - U70kg
Adam Francis - U75kg
Saule Del-Rio - O75kg
Female - Cadets
Ashleigh Kenny - Kata
Sophie Richardson - U51kg
Reisha Hull - U57kg
Rio Smith - O57kg
Male - Junior
Reece Taylor - Kata
Chris Harris - U60kg
Tom Canham - U65kg - Team
Alex Hodge - U70kg
Tom Gibbings - U75kg - Team
Akan Eka - U80kg - Team
James Steadman - Team
Christopher Blenman - Team
Jamie Holt Kata - Team
Female Junior
Samantha Cannon - Kata
Emma O'Callaghan - U53kg - Team
Sarah Donnelly - U60kg - Team
Katie Hurry - O60kg - Team
Lauren Adams - Team
Ticky Donovan and the Board of the EKF would like to thank all the Coach's, Referees and Officials that gave up their time and made the day run smoothly also to Dr Mohinder for his support. Best of Luck to the squad.
