The junior bouts were fought under controlled contact rules and seniors fought under full contact rules, all competitors wore helmets and shin pads for safety.

As always in traditional Kyokushin Karate competitions there are no hand strikes to the head, due to the requirement to make contact, but you are allowed to kick to the head. Medals were awarded throughout the day; Emily Taylor received the first of many for KI coming third in under 12 girls.

Our next competitor was Kaitlin Taylor who fought with great strength to become State Champion in junior women.

Sophie Lewis fought bravely to finish 4th in the open full contact women’s division in her first tournament. We are glad her black eye has healed quickly.

KI’s next contenders Thomas Kane and David Taylor, who fought in the full contact open men’s division 3, both fought well in their bouts to fight against each other in the final. David triumphed and it was KI 1st and 2nd.

Matthew Kane fought in full contact open men’s division 2 he fought extremely well and he won his final as well, another State Champion for our club.

Sensei Jamie Taylor who was also refereeing on the day, lost in the first round of the open full contact division 1.

There was one last award, The Technique Award and Matthew Kane won this also, congratulations to all we had a long way to travel but our club triumphed.

OSU, Sensei Jamie Taylor