E.K.F. Southern Regional Karate Championships
Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham hosted the 2nd E.K.F. Southern Regional Championships on Sunday 25th May 2008.
The turnout was disappointing but to be expected as the event was held midway through the Bank Holiday and half term. Nevertheless, Fallon Rayman and Connor Chatfield both attended.
Fallon received a bye in her first round but outstanding displays of kata took her into the semis where her Suparimpei was faultless. However, she lost out by 3 - 0 to Ishinryu competitor, Rebecca Birch, not surprisingly as Rebecca had Jon Mottram in her corner. As expected Rebecca stormed to victory but Fallon was more than happy to settle for the highest wado placed kata of the Championships.
Kumite was next and Fallon was again fighting in two weight categories. She gave a very lacklustre performance considering how well she fought in Lambeth but again easily made the final of the under 35 kgs. The final whistle saw scores of 0 - 0 so it went into a minutes enchosen and sudden death. At the end of the minute the decision was taken to flags where she lost out to 2 flags to nil. However, it has to be said that the judging was questionable in this category. In my opinion, Fallon had several legitimate points that were not scored. It happens, even in the major events judges can get things wrong.
The next category saw her competing in the slightly higher weight category of the under 40 kgs. In the semis Fallon was leading 2 - 1 but her opponents gyak (that was clearly executed after the bell) took the bout 2 - 2 into enchosen. Fallon and her opponent scored at the same time with each ref siding with one girl. Fallon's ref reconsidered and changed his opinion which left Fallon settling for Bronze, again questionable.
Fallon never seemed to settle at this event and never got into her stride. Lets hope that next week sees an improvement in her kumite and a return to her recent form considering that Edinburgh isn't exactly on the doorstep!
Connor stormed his way through his kata event and looked very promising until he met the eventual Champion in the round before the semis. He finished his kata event in 4th place but looked every inch the winner. Connor's kata is improving with every competition he enters surely the elusive Gold in the Kata for 2008 can't be far off now?
Connor had been severely travel sick on his way to the tournament and it didn't help that he was first up on to the mat in the kumite leaving him with no time to settle his nerves. He was paired against Jack Newey from Khalsa Karate which didn't help matters. Connor tried to settle into the round but never looked on form. A hefty kick to his face in the next weight category left him needing medical attention for a number of minutes and me wondering whether to scrub him from the event. He had been looking very settled until that point. Today just wasn't his day. Lets hope next weekend fairs better.
I am normally a huge supporter of the referees and judges but it has to be said that there were some very dodgy decisions witnessed at this event which spoilt the atmosphere and jaded the day for many competitors. We have video footage of the referees watching fighters on other mats when the should have had their eyes on the fights on their own mats! We also videoed both of Fallon's fights from less than two foot away from the area and shocking reffing was clearly to blame for both her kumite exits. I feel qualified in speaking out because I am training to be a referee / judge and so I have a good understanding of how things work. Lets hope that the E.K.F. sort out the refereeing issues in time for the Northern Regional's later in the year.