Sakagami Wado Kata Competition October 2007
Despite another long trek, this time to Cannock, everyone was in high spirits and looking forward to the event.
Ryan Maffey from Kyokai Karate Club took to the mats first for British Wadokai Karate. He put his heart and soul into his performance but was very unlucky not to medal this time. However, he is a real contender to watch out for in the future.
Next up was Connor Chatfield from Mushin Karate Club. An outstanding display of Kata earnt him the Gold at the Wadokai Open at Rivermead in July so he was definitely one of the ones to look out for in his category (boys, 10 – 12 yrs, 3rd Kyu and above). Connor's Kata has improved immensely over a short period of time, and he has the mind-set to make adjustments in his Kata depending on which style of Wado Kata he has to perform. He will definitely be a contender for the National and International circuits very soon and will go far. He has confidence, skill and spirit during his performances and his Kata shows personality. Wado judges look for good spirit and good technique and Connor has both. However, today just wasn’t his day. Fortunately, he came through the field to take a good repecharge Bronze.
Shannan Rayman, Kyokai Karate Club, was hampered today. Shannan has been competing in both Kata and Kumite for almost a year now and has had considerable success in both by most people’s standards. He struggles with his Kata whereas the Kumite side comes more naturally for him. Shannan’s first International event earlier this year, the SENI07 saw him take Gold in Kumite and Silver with Kata and he was looking to keep up the good work. However, his Pinan Godan was not good enough to take Gold today leaving him with a very well deserved Bronze.
Kelly Johnson was also attending this competition. She is a very seasoned performer and has been doing the competition circuit for the past few years with considerable success. Kelly switched affiliations a couple of years back and so the Kata was all very different and a real challenge for her to nail. Although this time she was attending for Bushinome I felt that I had to give her a mention. Kelly has really worked hard in order to bring her Kata to look more 'wado', and she really is working towards being a 'world-class' Wado performer. The Kata she performed was the best that I have ever seen her do. She has the tools; confidence, personality and skill. All she needs now is the practise to refine and hone on the detail. The more I see her the more she has improved - and improved in a big way each time. It will be very nice to see Kelly attending more Wadokai England sessions next year and aiming for the Europeans and Worlds.
This just leaves the smallest member of the squad, Fallon Rayman. Fallon will be representing England at the Wadokai Europeans in Gothenburg on the 3rd November in both Kata and Kumite. This is a remarkable achievement considering her age (just 12) and grade (just 3rd Kyu). Having taken bronze at the Wado EXL last weekend in a very tough category this week saw her compete well inside her comfort zone (girls 10 – 12 yrs 3rd Kyu and above) and she did not disappoint. Fallon performed impeccably and already has the ability to be a 'world-class' performer. Fallon has a good chinto and loves the hip movements that make the stance. Her many years of dance training have left her with excellent balance and sharpness. Today her chinto took her through to the next round by 2 flags to one. She then upped the anti and did a remarkable Wanshu, full of spirit and technically very sharp. She landed the jump precicely and this took her into the final by 2 flags to 1. The final saw her fall back to an old favourite, Seishan. This was technically about as good as it gets and the voting was unanimous 3 flags in her favour and Gold for BWK.
Connor and Fallon decided to team up for the pairs. They have never practised together before due to the location of their prospective clubs but they thought they would give it a go. Although out in the first round they looked sharp and compatible with their Wanshu and with a bit of dedicated practise could do very well on the competition circuit.
The day was a lot of fun with friendships cemented and some good results.