Traditional Shotokan Karate in Sunderland, UK

In House Competition

Ten days after our first ever fight night and the day after the Teeside open we held our winter in-club competition at the Castleview centre Sunderland.

Yet again the reliable duo of Brian Graham and Peter Beeforth oversaw the judging of the categories. They were aided by Sensei Wes, Ron and Becks plus adult student Anth Moon 2nd kyu.

We had nine individual kata categories and eight kumite categories plus three team kata and two pairs kata categories. As usual the trophies were beautiful because the organiser (Sensei Kev) makes no profit and doesn’t care as long as the costs are covered.

It was a great day for the kids with 73 students entering - sixteen of them ungraded white belts getting a taste of karate competition for the first time. Which is what it is all about.

The latest club to join the Dokan Karate Association entered five pupils which shows great support after only joining a few weeks back.

Dokan have ordered some fabulous custom made medals for the summer competition and Sensei is optimistic as the feeder clubs Fulwell and Boldon have recently been getting high volumes of beginners in - 25 white belts in on Wednesday!

Lets hope they stick it out and become the future stars of English karate - with a little help from Dokan.

Finally we must not forget the epic battle of boys v girls. Fifteen hardened young male warriors almost held at bay the wild girls of Dokan but were eventually overpowered by skill, speed and aggression to loose the fifteen fights - ten to the girls, five to the boys.

All received a trophy for their heroic effort. The boys will be back for revenge in the summer!

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