Olympic Celebration Championships 2012

On Saturday July 28th, Charlotte Pinder of the East Hull Karate Club, and Thomas Balaam-Reed of the chikara Dojo were in action at the Olympic Celebration Karate Championships in Sheffield. Charlotte was on fine form in her Kumite event, winning the gold medal for her age group.

The day started with the Kata divisions as is customary, but with Charlotte being the only member of the East Hull Karate Club taking part, she was accompanied and coached by Steve Balaam-Reed of the Chikara Dojo. They were part of a three man team, as they were joined in the competitor ranks by Thomas Balaam-Reed. Both of our competitors were to be drawn against the eventual winners in the Kata, and with there being no repechage at this event, this signaled their exit from the Kata sections. Both Charlotte and Thomas lost to split decisions. A disappointing start but the pair put that event to the back of their minds and began to concentrate on the Kumite sections.

It would be a different story however in the Kumite. Charlotte was up first in what was a rather small group. However after a convincing 8-0 win against her opponent, she had won her second gold medal in two weeks.

Her counterpart Thomas was to suffer a similar fate to that of his Kata division. Being drawn against one of Chris Ewing's more experienced competitors in the first round. Initially it wasn't to go Thomas's way, as he slipped into a 0-4 deficit. Thomas stuck to the job in hand though and after some fast punch combinations and a jodan kick it was 5 – 4 to Thomas. Unfortunately Thomas was to lose concentration right at the end of the match and lose the match to a head kick.

Steve said both our competitors performed well and despite the pair not training at the same clubs they got on well at the event.

 

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