TEN Northern Ireland titles have been claimed by the members of local Mizukara Karate Clubs.
At the recent Karate Northern Ireland Championship at Lough Moss Leisure Centre, in Carryduff, members of the Mizukara Karate Clubs from Newtownards, Holywood and Bangor shone. As well as the provincial titles, team members took home a host of other medals.
In the children’s team kata, the team of Oliver Prohaszka, Helena and Harrison Stitt claimed a well-deserved title. They were joined on the podium in the bronze medal position by Sydney Murdoch with Chloe and Lucy Spence.
Individual kata titles were claimed by Finn Hastings, Sydney Murdoch, Helena and Harrison Stitt, and Ben Ritchie. Silver medals in individual kata went to Chloe Spence, Cooper McEvilly, Oliver Prohaszka and Angela McEvilly.
The final two individual kata medals were claimed by Rachel Benson and Phoenix Murdoch.
In the individual kumite (sparring) events three former Northern Ireland kumite champions all retained their titles. First was Harrison Stitt with an excellent final against Nate Hanna, followed by multiple NI champions Megan Benson and Helena Stitt.
Individual kumite silver medals were claimed by Noah Parker, a rising star in junior kumite and Sydney Murdoch who simply gets better at each event.
Bronze medal for kumite went to Niamh Parker, Alicia Laines, Ethan Calwell and Evan Carleton.
The final highlight of the day for the squad was a gold medal in the junior girls team kumite consisting of Helena, Heidi Magreehan, Niamh and Sydney.
Two competitors who narrowly missed out on medals were Jackson Crooks and Owen McIlroy.
Coach David Brashaw was delighted: “A superb day all around,” he said.
“ In particular I was delighted for our newcomers at these championships. For example, the fight-off for bronze between Jackson Crooks and Evan was enthralling, and very close indeed. Ethan and Phoenix getting medals, Chloe’s silver in kata and Alicia’s bronze in kumite. Honestly all our competitors were excellent, including the ones that missed out on medals on this occasion.
Mizukara karate clubs are based in Ards, Holywood and Bangor. If you wish to know more about Karate and ‘relaxing and health recovery Tai Chi for adults’, contact David on 07760 337578 or message Mizukara on facebook.
