SIX karate athletes from the local Mizukara clubs in Holywood, Bangor and Newtownards have just returned from the GB Open which took place in Birmingham University of Sport at the weekend.
There were almost 2,000 entries into what is well known as an event packed with European and World champions. Standout performer among the local athletes was Harrison Stitt from Bangor. Harrison excelled against top opposition in both his kumite (sparring) and kata (patterns) events. In his first fighting event, the Nihon Kumite, he lost out at the very last moments of his final. Undeterred, Harrison then stepped up an age group and proved how talented and determined he is by adding a bronze medal in his Sanbon Kumite fighting events.
Following that, Harrison added a third medal, again a silver in his individual kata. Finally in the Pairs kata, with teammate Ben Richie, they narrowly missed out on yet another medal.
In the cadets girls Sanbon Kumite, four-time Northern Ireland fighting champion Megan Benson from Bangor earned her first British medal in a category packed with quality fighters.
The final medal for the team was won by Helena Stitt. Helena, like all the Mizukara competitors, was up against world class opposition and came away with a well-deserved bronze medal.
Other members of the squad, Ben Ritchie, Amy Adair and Levi Kane delivered highly competitive performances in both their kata and kumite events, but on this occasion did not get in the medals.
Mizukara coach David Brashaw said he was delighted with the performances across the board.
“This is one of a number of warm-up events before the IKU European Karate Championships which are taking place in Poland this October. Special credit should go to Harrison for winning three British medals at one event. This is extremely impressive.
“In addition, the team was delighted for Megan in winning her first British medal. The whole squad have now won British medals over the last few years. This is a superb achievement and bodes well for more international success for these athletes.”
If you would like to know more about Karate, self-defence classes, relaxing health recovery ‘Tai Chi’ for adults in the local area, contact David on 07760 337578 or message the club on Facebook.
