Northern Open Classic April 29th 2007 Report

Fallon RaymanA small group of BWK Squad members travelled to Merseyside to compete in the 2007 Northern Open Karate Classic. It was the BWK Squad's first venture out on to the major competition circuit and expectation was not high.

The main objective of the squad was to get the feel of this type of competition and to gain some invaluable experience to work with during squad training. Fallon Rayman took to that mat first in the Kata. Fallon has been working very hard recently with her Kata under the technical direction of Sensei Paul Elliot (6th Dan) and he has very kindly spent many hours perfecting and polishing her performance. She performed Kushanku and went through to the next round as the highest scorer in her category.

All the other entrants dropped down to technically less complex Katas whereas Fallon chose to perform the more challenging Kata, Seishan. She took a very well-deserved Gold. This was an amazing achievement – the first person on to the mat from the newly formed BWK Squad and a Gold achieved.

Shannan Rayman was the next squad member on to the mat. He performed his Kata well but was happy to settle for Bronze against some very experienced competitors at his first major Kata Competition. Kelly was the last member of the BWK Squad to perform her Kata. She narrowly missed out on medalling. The cut was harsh and only three karateka went into the next round. The standard of Kata performed by all of the entrants was of a quality rarely seen on the competition circuit and a pleasure to watch.

The Kumite sections followed. Shannan was first to compete. He settled easily and won his first fight with ease. Shannan also trains with Sensei Ticky Donovan on his Open ‘All Styles’ Squad and this helped him Shannan Raymandefeat the other competitors and also take Gold for BWK. Fallon was unfortunate not to medal after competing outside her own grade, weight and age category. Her own category was scrapped due to a low turnout and this left her fighting against much more experienced competitors. She narrowly lost out for Bronze.

Aaron was most unfortunate. He waited all day to compete but drew an All Styles Champion for the first round. He held his own very well but his opponent had vastly more experience and won through.

Lastly, Kelly took to the mat in the ladies Kumite section again against tough competition. Her category was largely made up from current Champions and was tough from the outset. She faught well but was unlucky this time. All of the Squad would like to thank both Sensei Paul and Sensei Lloyd for all the hard work and effort that they have put into training them.

The squad is now training hard for future events.