World Shotokan Championships - Kosovo
04/04/14 Filed in: Competitions | 2014
On April the 2nd seventeen of Dokan karate clubs premier competition squad members set off at 5.00am for Manchester airport for the first of two flights on route to their final destination, Pristina capital city of Kosovo.
A long day of travelling saw us arrive at Kosovo in total darkness but everyone was in good spirits as the thrill of anticipation for the comp was high in us all. Our hotel was beautiful and after a few drinks and supper we all had an early night.
Thursday we woke to beautiful sunshine and set off to register at the not so grand Grand Hotel. On route we walked down the busy wide boulevard with numerous cafes and shops. Our squad being made up mostly of blue eyed blonde haired girls caused quite a few heads to turn. This is not a usual tourist destination but we found the locals to be very accommodating and really friendly on the whole. Plus the price of food and drink was unbelievably cheap, a bottle of beer in a shop cost 50 cents, half a euro.
The registration was a hectic affair with 14 laptops and personnel taking each country’s details. We were told 31 countries had entered at the point of our registration. Language was a mild barrier only. The staff doing the registrations were very helpful and friendly. When completed we all had a decent look about and a few drinks in the sun (24 degrees). This made everyone feel happy after our drab English winter and we did not expect such warm weather.
Friday and the tournament commences. The arena is outdated and the toilet facilities etc. very basic, but the organisers had done their best to brighten the place up with good lighting and brand new wkf approved tatami mats and it was quite large. No one seemed in a hurry to start and the music blasted out as the competitors warmed up and practiced on the mats. Despite there being police on the exits the whole thing seemed relaxed and jolly. No pretentious referees or officials marching around full of their own self importance and pomposity, the officials here were full of smiles and kind words to the kids. No hassle for parents coming down to give the kids a drink or take a picture and a first for me ever NO ENTRY FEE for spectators.
The place was buzzing and the atmosphere electric. I knew immediately it was going to be a great comp and my worries and concerns faded away before it even began.
There were six tatami areas and once the day began they ran efficiently till 7.00pm and the end of day one. Never have I done a competition where I have been happy with every decision, there will always be dubious decisions and the bulk of the referees here were KKF (Kosovo Karate Federation). There was absolutely no bias shown throughout the event. I had only a couple of dodgy hantei’s and I can honestly say the refereeing was far superior and more sensible than at home in England.
As with most comps it started with the youngest competitors first here are our Dokan results.
KATA
8 to 9 years female kata
1st, EVE PALMER; 2ND LOLA CASSIDY ; 3RD MADDISON TAYLOR
This was a great result for Maddison as she should have been in 7 years kata but she was the only one entered. Unlike our ungenerous English hosts they awarded Maddison a gold anyway and let her compete in the older group as well.
10 to 11 years female kata
1st SADIE STONER; 2ND ELEISHA MITCHINSON; 3RD= SIMONE STEWART and MEGAN PURVIS.
A clean sweep for Dokan.
12 to 13 years female kata
2ND ALEX STEADMAN; 3RD= HANNAH NICHOLSON and BECKY PURVIS
14 to 15 years female kata
1ST HOLLY STONER
8 to 9 years female team kata
1ST LOLA CASSIDY, EVE PALMER and GRACE KING
2ND OLIVIA FELLOWS , KATIE HUNNAM and MADDISON TAYLOR.
10 to 11 years female team kata
1ST ELEISHA MITCHINSON, SADIE STONER and MEGAN PURVIS.
12 to 13 years female team kata
1ST HANNAH NICHOLSON, TAMMY PROCTOR and ALEX STEADMAN
Dokan took gold in every team kata event they entered.
So impressed were the referees and officials that we were approached at the end of day one and asked to return and put on a little display for the Minister of Sport and other dignitaries at the opening ceremony on day two.
KUMITE (fighting - WKF Rules)
8 to 9 years female kumite team
1ST LOLA CASSIDY , EVE PALMER and KATIE HUNNAM
3RD OLIVIA FELLOWS , GRACE KING and MADDISON TAYLOR
10 to 11 years female kumite team
1ST ELEISHA MITCHINSON, SIMONE STEWART and MEGAN PURVIS
12 to 13 years female kumite team.
2ND HANNAH NICHOLSON, ALEX STEADMAN and BECKY PURVIS.
7 years female
2ND MADDISON TAYLOR
8-9 years male <35 kg
2ND BEN PURVIS
8-9 years female >25 kg
2ND EVE PALMER; 3RD= GRACE KING and LOLA CASSIDY
10-11 years female >38 kg
1st ELEISHA MITCHINSON; 2ND SIMONE STEWART
12-13 years female >52 kg
2ND HANNAH NICHOLSON
12-13 years female <52 kg
2ND ALEX STEADMAN
14-15 years female >54 kg
1ST HOLLY STONER
SHOBU IPPON KUMITE (WSKU rules)
7 years female
2ND MADDISON TAYLOR
8-9 years male <35 kg
2ND BEN PURVIS
8-9 years female >25 kg
1ST LOLA CASSIDY; 2ND EVE PALMER , 3RD= KATIE HUNNAM and OLIVIA FELLOWS
Another clean sweep.
10-11 years female >38 kg
1ST SIMONE STEWART; 2ND ELEISHA MITCHINSON
12-13 years female >52 kg
2ND HANNAH NICHOLSON
12-13 years male >56 kg
2ND AIDAN YOUNG
14-15 years female >54 kg
1ST HOLLY STONER
As you can see from the results we only entered a few of the categories, this is because the bulk of our students are aged from 9 to 12 years old. But we dominated the categories we entered, in some sections taking all the medals available.
Near the end of day one I was approached by one of the organisers and the WSKU president and asked to do a small display the following day at the end of the opening ceremony. I was only too happy to oblige so having only one student competing on day two I instructed all the students to bring their gi’s. We were asked because of the high standard of our kata throughout the competition.
The following day we had a hasty 25 minutes practice outside in the sun and I sorted a formal walk on and a thirteen man team kata. Only when the opening ceremony began did I realise the enormity of our role.
In came the Mayor and the Minister of Sport, plus other politicians and karate dignitaries as well as the the news photographers and TV cameras.
The ceremony began with a few speeches then the introduction of the countries. We used the four younger kids that weren’t involved in the 13 man team kata to be the English flag bearers and march on with the other nationalities. It was a noisy affair with all the cheering and chanting as the teams marched into line and a very proud moment for everyone.
Then the music started and there was some traditional dancing. As the dancing finished DOKAN ENGLAND was introduced and we walked onto the floor and into position. The squad did the practiced formation walk on and got ready to perform the kata Gion. It started in silence then the cheers and applause from the other nations started. Some referees who were all seated behind the dignitaries jumped up with their phones to record it and the tv cameras were rolling. By the end the whole room was cheering you could not hear my "yamae" to end it.
We marched off to a thunderous reception.
The referees and officials were all over the kids asking for me to take pictures of them with my squad. I was stunned and the kids overawed. I can honestly say I don’t think any of us will have ever felt more special.
The TV cameraman came over and sports editor came over to pay their respects. It was all rather surreal, when we went back to the stands to take our seats the local English teacher was there with his class of about 30 kids complete with their union jack flag. They were kissing and swamping my girls like adoring fans - Kosovo must be one of the few places in the world where the English are loved.
I looked at the parents and there was hardly a dry eye to be seen. What an experience and a privilege. Some of the parents said it was the proudest moment of their lives. It was one of mine, but I am not proud of myself I am proud of my squad, their composure under pressure and their ability to perform.
The results say it all. We win at home throughout Britain so the only step up for us was a world championship and our children gave it their all. They fought courageously and behaved with dignity in defeat. We served England well, not just in the volume of victories but with our manner and sportsmanship throughout the event. I was complimented by referees, coaches, table officials, news reporters, the TV crew and the president of Kosovo karate. I hope all the parents are proud of this fact.
We have returned with seven students that won individual gold medals. SEVEN INDIVIDUAL WORLD CHAMPIONS.
KATA WORLD CHAMPIONS
SADIE STONER
EVE PALMER
HOLLY STONER
MADDISON TAYLOR
KUMITE WORLD CHAMPIONS
LOLA CASSIDY
ELEISHA MITCHINSON
SIMONE STEWART
HOLLY STONER
And another six that won gold as part of teams, this means we have 12 world champions in our ranks.
TEAM KATA MEMBERS
HANNAH NICHOLSON
ALEX STEADMAN
TAMMY PROCTOR
GRACE KING
TEAM KUMITE MEMBERS
KATIE HUNNAM
MEGAN PURVIS
This means from a squad of 17 kids we returned home with 13 world champions.
But I want to say a few words for those that did not gain any gold. Ben Purvis in particularly was outstanding in kumite reaching two finals and narrowly loosing in both.
His big sister Becky tried her best and as she does at all tournaments fought hard gutsy fights. I predict both Purvis’s will win individual kumite titles shortly.
Maddison Taylor lost her individual gold on an appeal from the Swedish coach but Maddison turned on the style all day in fighting. And she would definitely win the world championship for cutest 7 year old.
Olivia Fellows a relative newcomer to competitions was not over whelmed by the occasion and performed kata wonderfully.
Aidan Young did himself proud in kumite against the toughest of opposition.
If I mention every child in this report which is extensive anyway it would become to long. I know myself who had the hardest fights and who performed beyond their usual capacity but if a begin talking of particular students other parents become upset. So I will leave at the few lines for those above who did not win gold.
I would not hesitate to return to Kosovo for future tournaments and I hope we can get a squad together for next years WSKU world championship or perhaps the European championship.
Our success here was greater than I ever dared to hope for and I doubt we will ever equal it again. But every year at the big British events I think we are at our peak and will never emulate that particular result again. But to date we just keep on getting better and better.
Thank you to Emma Cassidy for sorting the hotel and flights.
Thank you to Eve Whitaker for helping with emails and registration.
Thank you to all the parents for supporting your kids and making the trip a happy one.
A long day of travelling saw us arrive at Kosovo in total darkness but everyone was in good spirits as the thrill of anticipation for the comp was high in us all. Our hotel was beautiful and after a few drinks and supper we all had an early night.
Thursday we woke to beautiful sunshine and set off to register at the not so grand Grand Hotel. On route we walked down the busy wide boulevard with numerous cafes and shops. Our squad being made up mostly of blue eyed blonde haired girls caused quite a few heads to turn. This is not a usual tourist destination but we found the locals to be very accommodating and really friendly on the whole. Plus the price of food and drink was unbelievably cheap, a bottle of beer in a shop cost 50 cents, half a euro.
The registration was a hectic affair with 14 laptops and personnel taking each country’s details. We were told 31 countries had entered at the point of our registration. Language was a mild barrier only. The staff doing the registrations were very helpful and friendly. When completed we all had a decent look about and a few drinks in the sun (24 degrees). This made everyone feel happy after our drab English winter and we did not expect such warm weather.
Friday and the tournament commences. The arena is outdated and the toilet facilities etc. very basic, but the organisers had done their best to brighten the place up with good lighting and brand new wkf approved tatami mats and it was quite large. No one seemed in a hurry to start and the music blasted out as the competitors warmed up and practiced on the mats. Despite there being police on the exits the whole thing seemed relaxed and jolly. No pretentious referees or officials marching around full of their own self importance and pomposity, the officials here were full of smiles and kind words to the kids. No hassle for parents coming down to give the kids a drink or take a picture and a first for me ever NO ENTRY FEE for spectators.
The place was buzzing and the atmosphere electric. I knew immediately it was going to be a great comp and my worries and concerns faded away before it even began.
There were six tatami areas and once the day began they ran efficiently till 7.00pm and the end of day one. Never have I done a competition where I have been happy with every decision, there will always be dubious decisions and the bulk of the referees here were KKF (Kosovo Karate Federation). There was absolutely no bias shown throughout the event. I had only a couple of dodgy hantei’s and I can honestly say the refereeing was far superior and more sensible than at home in England.
As with most comps it started with the youngest competitors first here are our Dokan results.
KATA
8 to 9 years female kata
1st, EVE PALMER; 2ND LOLA CASSIDY ; 3RD MADDISON TAYLOR
This was a great result for Maddison as she should have been in 7 years kata but she was the only one entered. Unlike our ungenerous English hosts they awarded Maddison a gold anyway and let her compete in the older group as well.
10 to 11 years female kata
1st SADIE STONER; 2ND ELEISHA MITCHINSON; 3RD= SIMONE STEWART and MEGAN PURVIS.
A clean sweep for Dokan.
12 to 13 years female kata
2ND ALEX STEADMAN; 3RD= HANNAH NICHOLSON and BECKY PURVIS
14 to 15 years female kata
1ST HOLLY STONER
8 to 9 years female team kata
1ST LOLA CASSIDY, EVE PALMER and GRACE KING
2ND OLIVIA FELLOWS , KATIE HUNNAM and MADDISON TAYLOR.
10 to 11 years female team kata
1ST ELEISHA MITCHINSON, SADIE STONER and MEGAN PURVIS.
12 to 13 years female team kata
1ST HANNAH NICHOLSON, TAMMY PROCTOR and ALEX STEADMAN
Dokan took gold in every team kata event they entered.
So impressed were the referees and officials that we were approached at the end of day one and asked to return and put on a little display for the Minister of Sport and other dignitaries at the opening ceremony on day two.
KUMITE (fighting - WKF Rules)
8 to 9 years female kumite team
1ST LOLA CASSIDY , EVE PALMER and KATIE HUNNAM
3RD OLIVIA FELLOWS , GRACE KING and MADDISON TAYLOR
10 to 11 years female kumite team
1ST ELEISHA MITCHINSON, SIMONE STEWART and MEGAN PURVIS
12 to 13 years female kumite team.
2ND HANNAH NICHOLSON, ALEX STEADMAN and BECKY PURVIS.
7 years female
2ND MADDISON TAYLOR
8-9 years male <35 kg
2ND BEN PURVIS
8-9 years female >25 kg
2ND EVE PALMER; 3RD= GRACE KING and LOLA CASSIDY
10-11 years female >38 kg
1st ELEISHA MITCHINSON; 2ND SIMONE STEWART
12-13 years female >52 kg
2ND HANNAH NICHOLSON
12-13 years female <52 kg
2ND ALEX STEADMAN
14-15 years female >54 kg
1ST HOLLY STONER
SHOBU IPPON KUMITE (WSKU rules)
7 years female
2ND MADDISON TAYLOR
8-9 years male <35 kg
2ND BEN PURVIS
8-9 years female >25 kg
1ST LOLA CASSIDY; 2ND EVE PALMER , 3RD= KATIE HUNNAM and OLIVIA FELLOWS
Another clean sweep.
10-11 years female >38 kg
1ST SIMONE STEWART; 2ND ELEISHA MITCHINSON
12-13 years female >52 kg
2ND HANNAH NICHOLSON
12-13 years male >56 kg
2ND AIDAN YOUNG
14-15 years female >54 kg
1ST HOLLY STONER
As you can see from the results we only entered a few of the categories, this is because the bulk of our students are aged from 9 to 12 years old. But we dominated the categories we entered, in some sections taking all the medals available.
Near the end of day one I was approached by one of the organisers and the WSKU president and asked to do a small display the following day at the end of the opening ceremony. I was only too happy to oblige so having only one student competing on day two I instructed all the students to bring their gi’s. We were asked because of the high standard of our kata throughout the competition.
The following day we had a hasty 25 minutes practice outside in the sun and I sorted a formal walk on and a thirteen man team kata. Only when the opening ceremony began did I realise the enormity of our role.
In came the Mayor and the Minister of Sport, plus other politicians and karate dignitaries as well as the the news photographers and TV cameras.
The ceremony began with a few speeches then the introduction of the countries. We used the four younger kids that weren’t involved in the 13 man team kata to be the English flag bearers and march on with the other nationalities. It was a noisy affair with all the cheering and chanting as the teams marched into line and a very proud moment for everyone.
Then the music started and there was some traditional dancing. As the dancing finished DOKAN ENGLAND was introduced and we walked onto the floor and into position. The squad did the practiced formation walk on and got ready to perform the kata Gion. It started in silence then the cheers and applause from the other nations started. Some referees who were all seated behind the dignitaries jumped up with their phones to record it and the tv cameras were rolling. By the end the whole room was cheering you could not hear my "yamae" to end it.
We marched off to a thunderous reception.
The referees and officials were all over the kids asking for me to take pictures of them with my squad. I was stunned and the kids overawed. I can honestly say I don’t think any of us will have ever felt more special.
The TV cameraman came over and sports editor came over to pay their respects. It was all rather surreal, when we went back to the stands to take our seats the local English teacher was there with his class of about 30 kids complete with their union jack flag. They were kissing and swamping my girls like adoring fans - Kosovo must be one of the few places in the world where the English are loved.
I looked at the parents and there was hardly a dry eye to be seen. What an experience and a privilege. Some of the parents said it was the proudest moment of their lives. It was one of mine, but I am not proud of myself I am proud of my squad, their composure under pressure and their ability to perform.
The results say it all. We win at home throughout Britain so the only step up for us was a world championship and our children gave it their all. They fought courageously and behaved with dignity in defeat. We served England well, not just in the volume of victories but with our manner and sportsmanship throughout the event. I was complimented by referees, coaches, table officials, news reporters, the TV crew and the president of Kosovo karate. I hope all the parents are proud of this fact.
We have returned with seven students that won individual gold medals. SEVEN INDIVIDUAL WORLD CHAMPIONS.
KATA WORLD CHAMPIONS
SADIE STONER
EVE PALMER
HOLLY STONER
MADDISON TAYLOR
KUMITE WORLD CHAMPIONS
LOLA CASSIDY
ELEISHA MITCHINSON
SIMONE STEWART
HOLLY STONER
And another six that won gold as part of teams, this means we have 12 world champions in our ranks.
TEAM KATA MEMBERS
HANNAH NICHOLSON
ALEX STEADMAN
TAMMY PROCTOR
GRACE KING
TEAM KUMITE MEMBERS
KATIE HUNNAM
MEGAN PURVIS
This means from a squad of 17 kids we returned home with 13 world champions.
But I want to say a few words for those that did not gain any gold. Ben Purvis in particularly was outstanding in kumite reaching two finals and narrowly loosing in both.
His big sister Becky tried her best and as she does at all tournaments fought hard gutsy fights. I predict both Purvis’s will win individual kumite titles shortly.
Maddison Taylor lost her individual gold on an appeal from the Swedish coach but Maddison turned on the style all day in fighting. And she would definitely win the world championship for cutest 7 year old.
Olivia Fellows a relative newcomer to competitions was not over whelmed by the occasion and performed kata wonderfully.
Aidan Young did himself proud in kumite against the toughest of opposition.
If I mention every child in this report which is extensive anyway it would become to long. I know myself who had the hardest fights and who performed beyond their usual capacity but if a begin talking of particular students other parents become upset. So I will leave at the few lines for those above who did not win gold.
I would not hesitate to return to Kosovo for future tournaments and I hope we can get a squad together for next years WSKU world championship or perhaps the European championship.
Our success here was greater than I ever dared to hope for and I doubt we will ever equal it again. But every year at the big British events I think we are at our peak and will never emulate that particular result again. But to date we just keep on getting better and better.
Thank you to Emma Cassidy for sorting the hotel and flights.
Thank you to Eve Whitaker for helping with emails and registration.
Thank you to all the parents for supporting your kids and making the trip a happy one.