Hartlepool Wadokai Championships

Here we entered what will be our largest squad of the year, as there were good categories to suit a wide scope of students 48 in total from Dokan competed.

And there was nothing easy about this comp especially in the younger age groups where the standard was good and the categories well supported.

As well as quality clubs from Scotland and Hull a couple of the better local clubs also entered such as Kazen kai and east Durham Ishinryu.

Dokan won 18 firsts, 21 seconds and 24 third place medals, making them the most successful club there on the day for which they were awarded a beautiful large silver cup. I think it is safe to say we were impressive throughout the day and our students performed magnificently.

Of special merit was Josh Beardsmore age 9 who won his kumite section here and at the recent Taisho do tournament, he came second in kata also. And it would not be fair if a note wasn’t made of the class brother and sister act that is Becky and Ben Purvis. Ben won kumite in the 7 years & under here, and at Taisho but the speed with which he destroys his opponents is astonishing , often scoring the six points clear in less than 10 seconds. His very big sister Becky also excells at kumite and was narrowly beaten by one point in a very tough final against a rough Scottish opponent.

Overall the day was great and although to look at our medal tally you would think we had completely dominated the day, but you would be wrong every medal was hard fought. There were no easy medals here.

Finally a small mention for an eight year old ungraded girl who I entered into kumite. I have never entered anyone with so little experience into a tough fighting competition but thought that Chloe Telford was showing so much promise and guts that I would give her a go. She was great, winning her first fight and narrowly getting beat in the next round. A good start, Chloe. Well done.