Hull Karate Championships 2006
The Hull Karate Championships were held recently at the Woodford Leisure Centre. John Moreton decided to send seven of his Karateka (students) to compete. John’s club is actually based at the leisure centre so it was a short journey for most of them.
First timer Dylan Owston who was keen to compete represented the juniors and although he went out of the competition early, he showed great enthusiasm and left the mat buzzing and looking forward to the next time
Jo Munro was next to compete, in both the Kata (Forms) and Kumite (Fighting) divisions. It was not to be his day though Joe also going out early.
The junior’s success was going to come from two regular medallists, Phillip Weeks and Jake Newlove who were placed 1st and 2nd respectively in their Kata division. Both youngsters becoming regular medal winners in this event.
Among the seniors taking part was Martin Shepherd, a novice Karateka competing for the first time. Martin entered the Kumite event and was rewarded with 3rd place, a great performance with no competitive experience.
George Campbell also took place in the senior age novice events. With a little more experience than Martin and a previous record at this event of one 1st and one 3rd place, George was hoping to go one better and take first place in both the Kata and Kumite. By the end of the day that is exactly what he had done with impressive displays in both categories.
Last to compete on the day was club captain Barry Meanwell. Hoping to consolidate his club-mates achievements with those of his own, he characteristically managed to reach the finals of both the Kata and Kumite events. The Kata was to be his first final but he had to settle for a 2nd place this year. The Kumite was next and his skills were to shine through with an excellent display of superior technique and domination that saw him win the final comfortably.
This years performance took Barry’s medal haul from this competition to five 1st place one 2nd place and two 3rd place medals over the last three years.