Went to my 4th Shotokan Karate championship today and I must say each year it gets worse. Kata was fine, I mean Birri Gomes from the same Dojo as me just beat me on the Kata by an inch on the first part, team Kata we did not estimate the distance we needed and ended up doing some of it next to the judging table, but got a 9.3/9.4 average, we didn't win anything, black belts got first, black belts got second, the Shihan's (Master of the association)son and his team came third (He also won normal Kata) But when it got onto adult Kumite (Fighting/Sparring) it was rubbish, there was less people than last year to compete, heck it was Me, my Dad, Birri, Gleen, Lance, Virgil and Chris, anyone who new the results from last years, Virgil was the agresssive one who used excessive force, same again but with Chris as well, The first fight was Glen vs Chris, Chris kept going for the face, but Glen did reasonably well and got his points, but then his calve went and an injury, couldn't compete further, as it wasn't Chris' fault Chris went through, then it was me vs Virgil, excessive once again, I kept my face protected this time, thought kicks would work against him, but he did a sweep and took me to the ground as I no longer had my weight on my back leg meaning an advantage for him, but the one point where my face was open, the git got me in the jaw wit some excessive contact (No real contact should be made, Shotokan Karate teaches, Sun Dome when practising the art, which is minimal contact basically, aiming for an inch from contact) But Virgil won, then it was Birri and lance, Birri won, nothing wrong with that fight except Lance was very aggressive which is why he didn't win (open targets, lack of seeing open targets) Then it was my Dad and Chris, injury number 2, just beneath the eye, not only is the fact off target, it was excessive contact, the doctor that was there told him he cannot compete further, Chris was disqualified, my Dad got 3rd place for that, Birri versus Virgil, more lack of control, excessive contact, like me Birri got hurt, but no injuries. Virgil won and Birri was second. Then injury number 3 happened, which basically ended the championship, which was Black belt Kumite, the first fight was Mr Thomas versus Mr Murphey, Mr Thomas hit Mr Murphey on the side of the head with a reverse roundhouse kick and knocked him out, because it was late and nobody was allow to remove Mr Murphey until the ambulance arrived Shihan decided after discussing with black belt competitors to end it there, luckily Mr Murphey did wake up just before the Ambulance arrived and was taken straight to Hospital. With Shihan emphasising how Sun Dome is important since last year's championship, it looks like people's lack of control, I mean last year I was attacked exactly like Mr Murphey was by Mr Albone last year, but because he had control it didn't hurt.
However the black belt demonstration was much better this year, my sister recorded it and is putting it on you tube, I should show when its done, its Lesley Albone 5th Dan and Frank [Iranian surname I cannot spell] 4th Dan demonstrating a bunch of good looking combinations on each other with Mr Thomas doing a combat style beat on a drum, one where Lesley does a roundhouse kick to Frank's neck, gets the other leg around his neck and takes him down.
"Cut down the gods if they stand in your way" - Hakamoto Tsunetomo
