KUGB Kyu Grades Championships 2008

The KUGB Kyu Grades Championships is held each year in Wales and is open to kyu grades from all KUGB clubs.

Competition Report

The team's quest for silverware started in earnest, with Thibault fighting well to secure a joint 3rd in the men's 4th-9th kyu ippon kumite. In the corresponding women's 4th-9th kyu ippon kumite was our very own president Tegwen Ecclestone, who demonstrated a good range of techniques and spirit to advance through to the final, where a similar performance outclassed her opponent and gave her a comprehensive victory and 1st place.

Arguably the gretaest drama for the team came in the team kumite semi-final, with Chris Andrews, Thibault Flinois and Adam Tun squaring off for a place in the final. Chris took the first fight with a solid and well-fought performance, finding openings in his opponent's guard to score the two waza-aris needed. Thibault fought an opponent of similar speed, skill and range of techniques, which resulted in a very even fight and an eventual draw. Last up was Adam, who used his excellent speed — including judicious use of what has now been dubbed the 'Paul Smith' — to constantly pressure his opponent. However near the end of the fight he slipped and fell, enabling his opponent to score an uncontested ippon. This loss resulted in an overall draw, and so one fighter from each side was selected for a final deciding fight. In the end it was Adam who was selected, to fight against his previous opponent! This time the result was more clear-cut, with Adam scoring two waza-aris and victory. The final was less dramatic, with the team producing a definitive 3-0 victory and 1st place.

Lastly, in the individual kumite Adam took 1st place with a string of impressive fights against strong opponents, completing the team's collection of silverware.