Gongratulations to Melissa Williamson who won 2 GOLDS at the
UK Open Karate Championships in Dudley on Sunday 22nd February 09
Melissa has had a great start to the year. She has entered 2 tournaments and won 4 GOLDS & 2 SILVERS.
Keep going the way you are you will be able to open your own trophy shop soon.
UNITED KINGDOM OPEN KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS – 22nd February 2009
Melissa decided to attend the UK Open Karate Championships to get further competition practice before attending the International in Malta. An early start was required as the competition was based in the West Midlands at Dudley. The venue was a very well presented sports hall, part of a private fitness centre.
Melissa’s first category was the Kata, Junior Boys & Girls, 5th Kyu and above (10yrs – 12yrs). There were 32 competitors entered which meant a total of 5 rounds. The rules stated that 3 separate Katas had to be performed in the first three rounds after which they could be repeated. Melissa’s strategy would be to perform her strongest Kata’s first to hopefully allow her to get through to the later rounds. Her intention was not to repeat a Kata but she would make this decision once she had seen the rest of the competition.
In the first round Melissa was wearing Blue. Her opponent was a boy from a very well represented local club. He wore his Gi very smartly and looked confident before the category and also as he stepped onto the mat. He performed a very competent Kanku-Dai which received a rapturous response from club team mates and supporters. Melissa stepped onto the mat for her turn and elected to perform Kanke-Sho. Nerves were evident in her performance but she did a good job and waited for the Judges decision. The whistle blew; 2 -1 to Melissa and into the next round. Melissa was once again wearing Blue. She had elected to perform Enpi in this round, another of her stronger Katas. Her opponent was a girl who performed Bassai Dai not too well. Seeing this Melissa changed her mind and opted to do Bassai-Dai also which she is competent at but not her best. She performed the Kata well and the result again went her way , 3 – 0. The next round was against a boy who to this point had gone through without dropping a single flag. This would be a tough round. Melissa was again wearing blue so she watched her opponent perform a very good Kanku-Dai. This time Melissa performed a very good Enpi and got the judges decision once again 3 – 0; into the semi finals. At this point Melissa moved to being the first to perform wearing red. Her initial plan was to do Kanku-Dai at this point but her opponent, a girl from the local club was now able to repeat and would most probably perform her strongest Kata. Melissa opted for the safe route and performed Kanke-sho once again. Her opponent elected to perform Kanku-Dai which she did with vigour. The result would be a close thing; the judge blew his whistle, 2 – 1 to Melissa. Through to the final. Melissa’s opponent would be another girl from the local club who had solid support. Melissa was up first again wearing red. She elected to perform Unsu which she had not done in competition before. Melissa put in a good solid performance of a difficult Kata which earned her a cheer from the crowd. Her opponent performed Bassai-Dai but it was not strong enough to beat Melissa and the result went her way 3 – 0. Gold!
The next category for Melissa was the Kumite, Girls 10-12yrs 4th Kyu and above. There were four rounds including the final and Melissa was lucky to get a bye into the second round. Melissa’s first fight was straight forward with a 6 – 2 win, the 2 points being awarded to Melissa’s opponent on a very dubious kick to the back! The next fight was against a girl who was shorter than Melissa but who had shown significant tenacity in her first two fights. Undaunted by this Melissa went into the fight aggressively herself and did not let her opponent take control. The result being a respectable 5 -1; another final loomed. Melissa’s opponent in the final was a girl who was considerably bigger than her and who had fought her way to the final on muscle rather than technique. As the fight commenced Melissa’s opponent rushed forward lashing out wildly. In previous fights this had worked but with encouragement from her corner Melissa stood her ground and gakked low scoring the first point. As the fight re-commenced once again Melissa’s opponent rushed in and once again Melissa scored a point with a Gak. This was the way the fight went throughout, the final score ending up 7 – 2 to Melissa. Another successful day and a very well run competition.
