ECKA Semi-Contact National Championships 2009
18th July 2009, Coventry
The Bletchley Dragons Karate Club took a team of excellent fighters to Coventry to compete in the ECKA National Championships for semi-contact. The team comprised of children (and one cadet):
- Matt
- Henry
- Graeme
- Daniel
- Christian
- Oli
- Emma
- Robyn
First up to fight from the club was Henry Stockwell in the Under 4' 8", Purple-Black category. Henry had fought in the Nationals last year, but had been injured so it was great to see him making a come back this year. He had also recently gained his 1st Kyu so was looking to build on that with a good performace in the competition. He certainly did perform well, with two very comprehensive victories he picked up the National title, I'm sure the first of many!
Henry on his way to the National title
Next from the club was Matt, in his first ever tournament, in the Under 4' category. He fought incredibly hard and did well to continue after a tough hit, but unfortunately lost his fight. We look forward to seeing Matt fight again and he certainly is keen to get back in action in the next competition.
Oli Lum managed to get into the final of the Under 5' 4", Purple-Black category but unfortunately lost out on first place, but won a trophy for runner-up.
Also in action in the tournament were Daniel and Christian Nye, both unfortunately in the same category, Over 5' 4", Purple-Black. They both ended up in the battle for 3rd place, with Daniel just winning the fight.
 Daniel Nye in the semi-final |
 Christian Nye about to launch a back-fist |
Christian just losing out in a very close fight |
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Representing the club in the girls categories was Emma Ridge and Robyn Vaughan, both in Purple-Black, with Robyn in the Under 5' 4" group and Emma Over 5' 4". Robyn was up first in a group of three, meaning all competitors would have to fight each other to determine the winner. Robyn fought well and won both of her fights to emerge as National Champion! Emma was less fortunate and was faced against an experienced and highly talented fighter in the final, so despite fighting well came out with the runners-up trophy.
 Emma attempting to land a kick in the final |
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Graeme Nye was last up in the individual categories, in a very tough looking cadets category (for 16 & 17 year old boys). He won his first fight really well and moved into the semi-final. Unfortunetly, Graeme then had to fight a local Milton Keynes fighter who went on to win the category and also lost out in his fight for 3rd place so finished in 4th.
 Graeme Nye trying to land a kick in the fight for 3rd |
Graeme in action |
Following the individual sections were the team events. Bletchley had a promising team in the Over 5' category, comprising of Daniel Nye, Oli Lum and Christain Nye.
Daniel in action in his team fight |
 Oli fighting in the team event |
They were up against two teams from Coventry but managed to beat both of those teams in order to win the National Team title.
The Bletchley Dragons Boys Team (Over 5') - 2009 National Champions!
The club as a whole was also placed 5th in the overall club standings, which is a fantastic result given the size of the club compared to many others in ECKA!
The Bletchley Dragons Squad (Henry not pictured)