Charlie Coulson and Joe Kellaway - British Champions!!!

Post date: Aug 09, 2014 4:1:23 PM

Eight of Ken-Bu-Kan’s Sport Karate team travelled to Glasgow to compete at the British 4 Nations Championships.  After a short flight followed by a pleasant car journey, we arrived at our hotel for a well- deserved team meal.  It was an early night for everyone as they prepared for the day ahead.  We arrived at the Emirates Hall to find the competition being run on 9 mats, an absolute coaching nightmare.  But the job still had to be done and getting the athletes into the finals for the live streaming over youtube was the main objective and of course to win their bout!

A happy KBK team at the British Championships

First up were the 2-man teams with Jack Ward in the 10-11 years male event.  Jack fought well winning his bouts to reach the quarter-final stage, but his team member lost his bout, so the team settled for just a quarter final spot this year.  In the boys 12-13 years, Brandon Wilkins and Romahn Flemmings went two stages further to reach the final.   Some very odd and unjustified decisions went against the team as they eventually lost to the home nation but still came away with the team Silver.

The boys - Jack, Charlie and Brandon

In the individuals, current WIKF National Champion Nya Enver fought well getting through the first two bouts but lost in the quarter final stage.  In the open section, Nya fought a very aggressive and loud scots-girl who over powered Nya to victory in the first round.  Logan Wilkins, also the current WIKF National Champion was competing for the first time abroad and fought well to reach the quarter final stage.  Our association Champion Jack Ward was next up competing in the kilo event and yet again, would need to get through 6 rounds to get to the medal positions.  Once again, Jack started well with some great kicking techniques but lost in the quarter-final stage, losing out again on a medal.  In the open event, Jack didn’t perform as well losing in round one.

Romahn Flemmings and Brandon Wilkins were both in action in the same kilo and open category.  Even though the boys took silver in the team, they couldn’t repeat this performance with Romahn losing in the first round of both his event and Brandon losing in round one of open.  In the kilo event, Brandon fought better reaching the quarter-final stage before being disqualified by the referee for not being on the mat on time, even though the table knew he was off with the medics!

Now it was time for the Cadets and Juniors to prove their experience and they didn’t disappointed everyone.  Firstly, Danielle Kirby who had a point to prove in the absence of her club mate and current English Champion Nikkisha Bailey.    In the kilo event, Danielle got through to the semi-finals but lost to Scotland’s number one.  Danielle then went on to win Bronze medal through repacharge.  In the open section, Danielle again got through to the semis and lost but claim her second Bronze medal. 

Danielle with Coach Andy Double Bronze medallists

Charlie Coulson was in excellent form, winning his three rounds to set-up a centre mat fight in the final, with live streaming on youtube.  It was a close 2 minute battle, which could have gone either way but Charlie executed well his coaches experienced tactics to win the final and be crown British Champion for the first time. 

Charlie collecting his Gold medal and first British title!

Charlie with Coach Andy and standing proud with his Gold medal!

Finally, defending British Champion Joe Kellaway was last to compete and was still carrying an injury after his triple gold winnings at the Nationals and didn’t look like his could win a bout, let alone the Gold medal.  However, playing safe in saving himself was the right tactic this time as Joe also reached the centre mat final.  Although Joe didn’t excite the crowd with his performance, Joe did enough to win and defend his crown to take his Gold medal.

Joe Kellaway does enough to defend his British title!

So the day had some bad moments but also some good ones, with two British Champions, one Silver and two bronze medals.  The team had 5 quarter final loses, so victory on those would not only have secured 5 more medals but potentially one of two more British Champions.  Short flight home then rest time for the squad…