LOCAL karate students returned from the recent IKU European Karate Championships in Poland with a total of six medals.
Six students from the local Mizukara clubs in Holywood, Newtownards and Bangor were part of the Karate Northern Ireland squad which finished 13th in the overall medal table out of 20 countries.
The Mizukara squad claimed six medals – two silver and four bronze.
In her first outing at European level, young Helena Stitt from Bangor excelled, winning silver in both of her events. In her kumite (sparring), she bravely fought her way to the final, losing out to a very talented Romania opponent. In Helena’s kata (patterns), she was leading the field for the gold medal and lost out by just one point to the final competitor from Italy.
In the cadets kumite the KNI team were delighted to see Ben Ritchie, from Newtownards, fight bravely on, following a nasty kick to his knee to claim a bronze medal.
Sensei Levi Kane and Amy Adair, from Conlig, then climbed on the podium together to take joint bronze in the Wado Ryu kata category. Amy then followed that up with another bronze in her individual Sanbon Kumite event.
Megan Benson and Harrison Stitt also competed for the KNI team, however on this occasion missed out on medals.
Coach David Brashaw said the competition was a big step up in class for many of the students.
“In all fairness I believed we could have secured a couple of gold medals. Nevertheless, I am very proud of our athletes as European medals are not easily achieved,” he said.
“In particular I really felt for Amy Adair, who on her way to her kumite final, had to be withdrawn due to a freak minor accident. On reflection I know that each of our students gained massive experience at this four-day event, which I know they will apply to make themselves even stronger competitors.
“Many congratulations to them all and thank you to the families that supported them. Finally thank you to the Ards and North Down Sports Development team for their support.”
For more information about the karate classes in Newtownards, Holywood and Bangor and relaxing and health recovery Tai Chi for adults, contact David on 07760 337578 or message Mizukara on Facebook.
