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Post date: Aug 09, 2014 3:34:24 PM
Nine of Ken-Bu-Kan top sport Karate team squad travelled to Sheffield for the Premier event in the English calendar, the EKF National Championships. With the main senior and “All Stars” in the club missing this year due to injuries, it was up to the younger members to prove the quality of the club. The squad came home with 5 National titles, 10 medals in total and taking all of the association Gold medals, propelled the Association to 5th in the overall National medal table.
The KBK athletes with the WIKF England squad
First up on Saturday were the 12-13 male teams with defending National Champions Brandon Wilkins and Romahn Flemmings. This year however, wasn’t to be as the team lost in the first round with no medal. Jack Ward was in better luck though in the 10-11 male team and his team reached the final but unluckily lost by just one point to take the Silver medal.
Jack (Right) with his team after winning team Silver!
In the Peewee individual event, Nya Enver lost in the first round to an opponent who had an excessive size advantage, but a brave effort nonetheless. Both Brandon Wilkins and Romahn Flemmings also lost in the round 1, both on flags. Finally, Jack Ward took the stage in the 10-11 boys event and once again would need to win 6 rounds to claim the title. Jack won his first 3 bouts with some great kicks but, lost 2-3 in the quarter finals this year and was unable to secure his third successive English National medal.
Day two and first up were the female cadet teams and defending Champions Nikkisha Bailey and Danielle Kirby. Again, the girls were the “awesome twosome” winning their 3 rounds to claim their 3rd successive English National team title and their 5th in total.
Nikkisha and Danielle – The “Awesome Twosome”
Charlie Coulson was also in action in the team event, with his team losing by one point in the final second. A well-deserved Silver medal though.
Charlie (Right) with his team after winning team Silver!
Finally, Joe Kellaway was in the male junior team event and his team were excellent outperforming all other English clubs to take the Gold medal.
Joe (Right) with his team after yet another English Gold medal!
So on day 2, the club win two team Golds from the six being contested – impressive!
In the Individuals, Nikkisha Bailey followed up from her team victory to win her 6th successive English title and the club’s third Gold medal in the female cadet heavy-weight section. Danielle Kirby took the Silver medal against Nikkisha in the final as it was yet another all KBK final in an English National Championships.
Nikkisha and Danielle dominating the day!
In the open event, Danielle made the final but lost in the final second to take the Silver whilst Nikkisha took the Bronze losing a decision by flags.
...and even more dominance by the KBK female athletes!
Charlie Coulson was one round away from the bronze in his weight division but lost in the round one in the open event. Finally, Joe Kellaway was competing in the Kilo and also the Open Junior male division for the final time in his career before he begins his Senior career. In the Kilo even, Joe came through 5 rounds to claim his second Gold medal of the Championships and his 3rd English title. Joe picked up an injury during the bouts but still decided to battle on and compete in the open event too. Incredibly, without being able to move around pain free and without full movement, Joe still managed to reach the final, grit his teeth and win his 3rd Gold medal of the Championships. A truly remarkable achievement, showing true fighting spirit!
Joe claiming his third Gold medal of the Championships!
Overall, the squad came home winning 5 National Gold medals, 4 Silvers and 1 Bronzes to help take the WIKF to 5th position in the overall medal table. The medal table was so close, that even converting 2 of these Silver medals in the final would have moved them up to their highest ever position of 3rd, so a huge well done to everyone this year.
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