Varsity Match 2010

The Varsity Match is an annual competition between the karate clubs of Cambridge and Oxford Universities. In the match, which is usually held in February, two men's teams and a women's team from each university compete in kata, team kata and kumite for the three team titles and the overall trophy, the Enoeda Cup.

Winners of the Enoeda Cup 2010: Cambridge

Team results:

• Men's A: Cambridge
• Men's B: Cambridge
• Women's: Cambridge

For the fourth year in a row Cambridge brought back the Enoeda Cup. The Varsity tournament could only be described as complete Oxford annihilation with Cambridge clean sweeping victories across every category.

In the men’s A Kata, Roman Sztyler took 1st place for the light blues for the third year running, followed in 2nd by men’s captain Nim Sukumar. Paul Smith and Club President Jonty Fairless seized 4th and 5th respectively ensuring a dominating position on the score boards from the start. In the women’s event, Oxford took 1st place, however the next three places were taken by Cambridge, with Madeleine Wood 2nd place, and Gosia Stanislawek and Ming Wei Tan in tied 3rd place.

In the main event, Kumite, Cambridge continued to build on its solid points base leaving little hope for Oxford. Men’s A opened with England international Paul Smith, who in an aggressive display dismantled his Oxford opponent. Next was current captain Nim Sukumar, taking an early lead against his worthy Oxford foe, however the match ran until full time when the fight ended a draw. Thibault Flinois was straight out of the gate in third, displaying a great fearless attitude against arguably Oxford’s best fighter, unfortunately, due to a sharp exchange, his shoulder was dislocated and was literally left hanging by his side. Next was Liam Gabb who made his fighting debut in style with some fantastically timed head punches against a higher graded opponent, eventually providing Cambridge’s second win. The men’s A event concluded with a textbook display from a very experienced Richard Oriji, who took an early lead in his fight. However it ended abruptly when his opponent fell and was left immobile.

In the women’s fighting Cambridge again made an aggressive start with junior England Squad’s Emma Nunn, making her Varsity debut taking the Oxford women’s captain out of the running. Next came a very well spirited display from Gosia Stanislawek who again left no room for her Oxford opponent behind a barrage of techniques that brought about a second win for the women. Madeleine Wood, CUKC veteran and national squad member secured a textbook win, leaving Stephanie McTighe to finish off. With some beautifully executed displays a 4-0 win for the light blue women’s team was sealed.

In the men’s B fighting, strike of the tournament has to be given to Nikon Rasumov who delivered a forceful front kick that left his opponent winded and weary and secured the fight for Cambridge. Craig Woodhead followed up with some of his renowned kicking techniques taking a second win for Cambridge. Ahmed Al-Shabab made his debut too, and fought hard and fearlessly for a draw securing a quadruple win for Cambridge.

Final scores: Men's A Cambridge 94 - 34 Oxford, Women's Cambridge 86 - 16 Oxford, Men's B Cambridge 74 - 54 Oxford.

Photos

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