Hull Competition
Dokan karate club made their annual visit to Hull to compete in this years East Yorkshire Open. With a large squad of 36 students all aged below 15, the club set off in high spirits.
It had been seven weeks since their last competition, which is a long time for the eager youngsters. The draws were emailed out on the eve of the event and when I read them I knew things were not going to be easy. Firstly, all our top students were in the same end of the draws and secondly the sections were very large. Most categories had over 30 entries - so no easy medals today!
There were a lot of associations' national squad members in attendance. In events like pairs and team kata at 15 years and under things were difficult for our kids who were aged from 7 to 13. The heavy footed stomping, stamping, low-kicking teams seemed to be in favour. Their strength and timing was good but they lacked any finesse or character. We pulled a credible third and a second in both high grade teams and pairs.
As usual we dominated the 10 to 12 years girls kata section winning all the medals. But, by far and away, our saving grace this year was the kumite with some exceptional performances as Dokan fought their way to medal after medal.
We finished the day winning 9 gold medals, 18 silver and 22 bronze medals. A more than respectable tally in a competition with over 300 individual kumite entries, 300 kata entries and 36 clubs entered. As usual the competition was very well organised by Tony Dent who worked the categories fantastically well to get the whole thing finished for 6.30. Massive respect goes to him for achieving that on such a busy day.
Over the last three years we have proven ourselves to be one of the UK's top competition karate clubs. Despite winning more at other competitions this year The East Yorkshire open is where we looked better than ever before, our class and skill showing through and our predominately female squad conducted themselves beautifully against the toughest of opposition. Plus, we have the added bonus of some good lads coming through the ranks. We had eight lads entered in the under 8 years old categories (at last).
