FOUR athletes from the local Mizukara Karate Clubs made the long journey to Killarney, Co. Kerry, for the fourth edition of the Southwest International Irish Open and between them came home with an outstanding 14 medals and five new titles.
Their collective efforts, which included the Ultimate Karate Champion and Vice-Champion kata titles, secured an impressive fourth place finish on the overall medal table.
The tournament kicked off with kata events. Siblings Harrison and Helena Stitt impressed early, claiming silver and gold in their respective categories, followed by silver in the family kata. In the senior events, Amy Adair and Levi Kane clinched gold in the pairs kata.
Amy then took gold and Levi silver in the Ultimate Karate Champion kata category – no small feat when competing in Wado Ryu against the more dynamic style of Shotokan competitors. Levi went on to add another silver in the ladies individual kata.
The momentum continued into the kumite (fighting) events. Harrison and Helena each captured gold, making them one of the few sibling pairs to do so at a major competition.
Amy and Levi built on the medal count in the senior kumite categories. Amy earned bronze in the Ultimate Karate Champion tour, silver in Sanbon Kumite and bronze in Ippon Kumite. Levi returned to the podium with bronze in both Sanbon and Ippon events.
Coach David Brashaw described the performances of the students as ‘exemplary’. He said: “I couldn’t be more pleased for them. Special recognition to Sensei Amy, who in addition to competing, was also acting as coach for the team. That is a very challenging thing to do, let alone achieve these results for herself and the team across the board.”
Mizukara athletes are now preparing for the WUKF Ireland Championships on Sunday, May 11, followed by their annual Display Day on Saturday, May 17 in Bangor.
