Yesterday we attended the 58th KUGB National Championships in Nottingham.

Our team performed outstandingly, showing how hard work really does pay off. A few special mentions.

Firstly to Olivia who was very unfortunate to get disqualified in the final of her event after being on top form all day, showing that she truly belongs on this stage. Then to our ladies team consisting of Emma and Evie, despite there only being two of them fought their way through to the final being unbeaten and only losing the final due to there only being two and the Ippon win to their opponents.

Olly Hayward being crowned 12 - 13 Boys Kumite British Champion.

And finally to Sensei Niall Gilligan who, after very hard fought final and beating the current European Champion along the way was crowned Senior Men’s Kumite British Champion and awarded the Sensei Enoeda trophy for being the most outstanding Senior competitor of the day!!!

Notable results
Sensei Enoeda Trophy - Sensei Niall

GOLD - Sensei Niall - Mens Ind Kumite
GOLD - Olly - Boys 12-13 Ind Kumite

SILVER - Mens Team Kumite (Niall, Thomas, Jake)
SILVER - Ladies Team Kumite (Emma, Evie)
SILVER - Junior Mens Ind Kumite - Sensei Thomas
SILVER - Children’s Team Kata (Aman, Zain, Olivia)
SILVER - Girls 12-13 Ind Kumite - Olivia
SILVER - Boys 10-11 Ind Kumite - Veer

BRONZE - Adult Team Kata (Emma, Niall, Thomas)
BRONZE - Junior Mens Ind Kumite - Jake
BRONZE - Senior Ladies Ind Kata - Evie
BRONZE - Boys 14-15 Ind Kumite - Aman
BRONZE - Boys 12-13 Ind Kumite - Ben
BRONZE - Boys 12-13 Ind Kumite - Akshayan
BRONZE - Ippon Kumite - Nehshaal

Today we took a small but dedicated and enthusiastic team up to Sunderland for the 14th Sunderland Karate Championships.

Well done to all those competing and thank you to their families for making the long journey.

Notable Results

GOLD - Zain - Boys 14-15 Kumite
GOLD - Olivia - Girls 12-13 Kumite
GOLD - Aiya - Girls 10-11 Kumite
GOLD - Aiya - Children’s Ippon Kumite

SILVER - Sensei Thomas - Mens Senior Kumite
SILVER - Sensei Thomas - Mens Senior Kata
SILVER - Evie - Ladies Senior Kumite
SILVER - Team Kata (Olivia, Aman, Zain)
SILVER - Aman - Boys 14-15 Kumite

BRONZE - Evie - Ladies Senior Kata
BRONZE - Jesse - Boys 10-11 Kumite
BRONZE - Jesse - Children’s Ippon Kumite
BRONZE - Louis - Children’s Ippon Kumite

Today we took a young inexperienced team to the National Kyu Grade Championships in Grantham.

This competition is a great chance for our coloured belts to pit their skills against others from around the country without the more experienced Black belts. All of our youngsters put themselves out there and performed to their best abilities and did themselves, their parents and the club proud!

Well done everyone! The future is very bright.

Thank you to Laura, Olivia and Maya for their help and support.

Notable Results
GOLD - Sharvesh - Boys 12-13 Kumite
GOLD - Neha - Girls 12-13 Kumite
SILVER - Akshayan - Boys 12-13 Kumite
SILVER - Adam - Boys 10-11 Kumite
SILVER - Magda - Ippon Kumite
SILVER - Shreya - Girls Kata
BRONZE - Sailee - Girls 12-13 Kumite
BRONZE - Sudiksha - Girls 10-11 Kumite
BRONZE - Harrison - Ippon Kumite
BRONZE - Rory - Ippon Kumite

Congratulations to Sensei Niall Gilligan who successfully passed his Sandan (3rd Dan) grading today in Barnsley under the watchful eyes of three members of the KUGB technical committee. Sensei Billy Higgins 8th Dan, Sensei Frank Brennan 8th Dan and Sensei Garry Harford 8th Dan.

Niall joined the club as an eager to learn 9 year old, showing signs that his hard work ethic would take him far!

Having won British, European and World titles he is without doubt someone our members can look up to.

Sensei Hegarty is extremely proud and grateful to have him as a leading example to everyone (including himself) as to what hard work and dedication can achieve!

Congratulations to Rohan & Eunice who were our Students Of The Month for April