Hei Jo Shin Wadokai England Championships 2015

Chikara Dojo members Steve & Thomas Balaam-Reed, Jakub Lutweijko, Harry Rolland, Zak Blake-Barnard & Amelia Thackray were joined by Ellis Miller of the Hull Zanshin Dojo on the 12th April, as they set off to compete at this year's Hei Jo Shin Wado Kai Championships.

It was to prove a successful day for all with all competitors gaining medals. For the Chikara club competing in their first competitions were Zak Blake-Barnard & Amelia Thackray who were to gain Bronze and Gold. With Amelia receiving praise from Sakagami Sensei for her performances. Harry Rolland was also to gain Gold in his Kata Section.

Thomas Balaam-Reed won 2 Golds in both his own 13-15 yr section, and in the 16-17 section.
Steve Balaam-Reed won Silver in the Wado Super Veterans and Gold in Veterans and Super Veterans open.

Last up was Jakub who gained gold in his individual Kumite and joined his old club to gain Silver in the team event.

From the Hull Zanshin Dojo, Ellis managed to get into two from three finals, stepping up in age to compete in his own age and grade kata, and that of the next age up also.

His own age group didn't go so well, as he was unfortunately dispatched before the medal rounds. His step up to the next age group however went much better, as he managed to progress though the rounds and book himself a place in the final. On this occasion he would be nudged out at this stage, but a silver medal to get the ball rolling was a good start.
Next he moved into his kumite section, where confusion on the draw sheet saw him changing from blue to red and then back to blue before he actually got the chance to compete. Never the less by the time he took to the tatami he was to out perform his opponents. Ellis was in fact losing first 1-0 then 2-0 with only three seconds to go, when an amazing uramawashigeri was thrown at his opponents head for an ippon leaving him with a 1 point advantage. This was a lead he hung onto until the buzzer went and therefore moved into the final.
This match was not quite so exciting as both he and his opponent were just too wary of one another. Neither one managing to outwit or score on their opponent. By the end of the match it was all level at 0-0, meaning the panel would call hantei and decide the outcome. Ellis had done all of the work so expectations were high, and the panel agreed meaning that ellis got the vote and the gold medal for his kumite category.

Ellis can be seen above with his opponent in the kumite final from the Western Karate Union. Also in the picture is Tony Dent and good friend Paul James, coach of Ellis's opponent.

Well done everyone.

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