Four Irish champions for Mizukara Karate athletes
THERE were medals galore for Ards and Bangor Mizukara karate club members at the recent Irish National Championships in Waterford.
A team of six, led and coached by World Kumite bronze medallist, Amy Adair, collected four Irish titles and a number of silver and bronze medals.
In addition to Amy the team was made up of four children from two families and teenager Ben Ritchie. All five of them claimed medals.
First up, following on from her British title was Helena Stitt. Not only did Helena win her individual kata (patterns), but she also doubled it up by winning her individual kumite (sparring) too.
Her brother Harrison also got into the medals with a silver in his individual kata.
He then followed his excellent performance at the Wado Kai European Cup in Edinburgh last month by giving his best fighting performance to date, winning 6-0 in both his semi-final and final of his individual kumite and kumite demonstration.
The fourth gold for the team, a kumite gold, came from young Tyler McBride who is no doubt inspired by his brother Dylan’s kumite record to date. Tyler then added a bronze to this in his individual kata.
Older brother Dylan once again demonstrated his quality by securing silver in his individual kumite category.
Following on from his success in Scotland, Ards lad Ben Ritchie added yet another medal to his growing collection – bronze in his individual kumite.
Amy Adair once again led from the front, securing silver in a hotly contested ladies kumite final against world champion Clodagh Cullen then adding a bronze to it in her individual kata.
Team manager David Brashaw said it was an incredible day all around. “The whole team were simply super, so good in fact that our club was placed twelfth in the overall medal table,” he said.
This Sunday, December 8, Sensei Ian Cuthbert, Director of Kumite for Karate England, will be hosting a kumite course which is open to karate students across Ireland in Ards Blair Mayne Leisure Centre.
That evening from 6pm is also the club’s 30th anniversary celebratory formal dinner dance. All former students and friends of Carnalea Wado Kai clubs are welcome and are encouraged to attend the celebrations.
If you would like to know more about Karate, self-defence relaxing/ health recovery Tai Chi for adults, or the above events please contact David on 07760 337578 or message us on facebook.
