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Post date: Sep 23, 2012 12:44:33 AM
Sensei Andy took a small WIKF team including KBK “All Stars” Jay Kirton to Luxembourg to compete in the Lions Cup Championship in Strasse. After a long eight hour door to door car journey, which included a train, crossing 3 countries and a dozen or so city detours, we finally arrived at our hotel for a well-deserved rest. Unfortunately, it only lasted 5 hours, as we had to register at 7am the next morning and begin competing at 8am!!! Jay was the first competitor in the squad to compete and having only had 3 hours sleep, he had to find a way to compete against some of Europe’s best athletes.
Jay faced an opponent from Portugal in the first round, who was some way taller than him and Jay struggled to get within his striking range to worry his opponent in the first half of the bout. His opponent took a 2-0 lead and Jay began to chase the fight, having had his takedown disallowed. In the final 3 seconds, Jay landed what seems a winning kick with one judge raising his flag immediately. However a second flag was not shown and Jay lost the bout 2-0.
It was Jay’s first international bout in nearly 18 months, having not taken part in the USA World Championships in 2011. However, Jay is training very hard with the Ken-Bu-Kan squad and looks ready for his campaign in September’s European Championships in Greece. Who would write him off from winning his 6th European title!!!!!
Sensei Andy coaching skills were tested with the remaining WIKF athletes, as it was their first time competing abroad. However, Sensei Andy coached Ellie and Josh from Suhari to a 5th place spot and finally took Ben Storey, also from Suhari to a medal winning Bronze position in Sensei Andy’s true coaching style, with clear, positive and match winning instructions.
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