World Shotokan Karate Championships 2015

Photos

View photos of the competition.

Competition Report

The World Shotokan Karate Championships took place on 3rd & 4th October in Beilsko-Biala Poland.

The English Team were represented in both Senior Men's Individual Kumite and Senior Men's Team Kumite by CUKC members
Francisco Martinez and Herve Vandekerckhove.


In the individual kumite event Herve proceeded to the 3rd round dispensing with fighters from Serbia and Hungary on the way before losing to the very capable Andrei Mazarov from Russia in an exciting match characterised by very fast exchanges of punches.

In his pool of the individual kumite Francisco had a bye in the first round and then convincingly beat fighters from Russia and Lithuania with his long range gyaku tsuki often preceeded by front leg ashi bari. Unfortunately in the 4th round he succumbed to the very experienced Swiss fighter Nikoll Bitiqi.

In the Senior Mens Team Kumite event England had a bye first round before beating Wales in a closer than expected match (clearly making up for the rugby results).

Next they met Russia (the reigning European champions) and in a very tough match gained their revenge over last year's European Championships with a convincing win.

For the final against Poland, England were missing their number 1 fighter Joe Rawcliffe through concussion sustained in the individual kumite. Despite a fiercely competitive match Poland triumphed. England (which included Francisco & Herve) collected a well deserved silver medal to add to the European silver they both won last year.

Please feel free to congratulate both Francisco and Herve on their successes as World silver medalists - a first for CUKC.