West Yorks Champs
Dokan’s black belt squad hasn't had a chance to compete since the 7th of December. Too long a wait for many and the squad were itching to get some action.
The Yorkshire open is in its second year and I thought it may have been a quiet and easy introduction back to competing for the squad. It was anything but quiet, the place was rammed with most of the country’s top squads in attendance. I knew from the off this was going to be a long hard day. The grandstands were not large enough to accommodate the volume of spectators but luckily a balcony above was available so things weren’t to bad.
The event clashed with the University BUCs tournament which meant there could have been a shortage of referees had the event not been hosted by Shindo-kai who had plenty of association referees to save the day.
The kata judging was iffy but I am used to that, and the kumite judging was good on most of the areas. A fifth area at my request was opened as I could see things badly over running and thank goodness Paul Royston is not to obnoxious to listen to reason and use common sense. My suggestion of getting both kata opponents up simultaneously in adult and 13 to 15 years kata was ignored by the referees on those two areas and as a result they droned on for well over an hour each which slowed the day down considerably.
The event organisers Paul and Kevin Royston and the chief referee were very accommodating and did everything they could to be helpful and did a great job keeping everything moving non-stop. Not only that but they are open to suggestions for improvement and have promised to change/ split some categories next year. It also didn't go unnoticed that they split categories on the day and gave a few extra medals out. I have never come across this (except in my own comps) and it made the day for a few extra kids. Plus their parents who, by 8.30 at night when we pulled out of our last event, had put in enough hours to deserve something for their offspring.
I thought my entire squad did well and I was not disappointed with any of them as they all gave it 100%. Some new squad members surprised me with their success and I was delighted with the results.
Medal tally: 10 gold, 12 silver and 23 bronze medals.
It was to late for a motorway stop on our way home and I thought the length of the day may have spoiled things with some families but the friendliness and atmosphere at this tournament was exceptional and everyone went home tired but happy.
