KUGB Student National Championships 2017

The KUGB National Student Championships (often just "the Student Nationals") is the first major competition of the academic year and falls in the middle of Michaelmas Term. The competition is open to all KUGB members in full-time education and is held in Chesterfield. KUGB Student Nationals 2017

Photos

View photos of the competition.

Competition Report

Earlier this month, 10 hungry competitors travelled northwards to Chesterfield for the 2017 KUGB Student Nationals. Representing Cambridge University Karate Club were seasoned KUGB competitors Philip, Stephen, Niv, Iulia, Vlad and Jamie, plus CUKC freshers Freya, Sioned, Daoyuan and Bence.

The morning began with Kyu Grade Kata. Iulia won her first round by 3 flags with Heian Nidan, but closely missed a place in the finals despite an equally skilled performance of Heian Yondan. Sioned performed admirably in the same category, also winning her first round by 3 flags but did not advance further. Philip had more luck and comfortably won in his pool to go through to the finals.



Alongside this event was the Female Individual Kumite eliminations. Fresh from her success at the Wado Kai European Champs, Freya rapidly defeated two rounds of opponents to take a place in the finals - a great achievement for her first KUGB kumite experience. Niv skated through her first round (one waza-ari to scoreless) but unfortunately lost in her second bout. In the Male Individual Kumite eliminations, Phil and Vlad kept the pressure on their opponents, both going through to the finals. Although Stephen won his first fight, a broken nose forced him to resign from competing on the medic's recommendation.

Next came Team Kumite. The ladies all fought exceptionally well, through two rounds to the finals with hardly a point lost. Following Steve's injury, Jamie rose to the occasion to fill in and with a couple of phenomenal kicks by Vlad, the men's team also progressed through to the final; concluding the morning's kumite events.

Representing CUKC in Team Kata were Cambridge A: Sioned, Daoyuan and Bence; and Cambridge B: Vlad, Jamie and Philip. Cambridge A showed excellent synchronisation in their Kihon kata, a difficult skill at any grade but especially commendable for this team of beginners. Cambridge B confidently performed Heian Sandan and won a spot in the afternoon's finals; just in time for lunch!





Fuelled by the now traditional brioche and bananas, the club prepared for the final events. Philip started off in flying fashion, winning gold in Male Kyu Grade Kata and silver in Male Kyu Grade Kumite, although took a heavy mawashi geri to his ribs in the process. Freya continued the streak, taking a gold medal in Female Dan Grade Kumite. However due to several knocks to the nose, she was unable to continue in the Female Team Kumite final.

Nevertheless the ladies fought on, Niv coming away injury free but an ippon down after facing Freya's opponent from the individual category. Fortunately Iulia won her fight - exceptionally scoring two waza-aris against a slower Dan grade opponent. Due to the point difference the ladies came home with silver in this event. Vlad continued to add to the CUKC medal haul, winning bronze after narrowly losing two waza-aris to one in the Male Dan Grade Kumite semi-finals. Jamie, Vlad and Phil returned to the mat for a silver medal winning Jion in Team Kata, and with only a few minutes to catch their breath, our final silver medal in Male Team Kumite.



CUKC continue to show fantastic spirit and perform at a high level on the competition circuit, producing a considerable medal haul given we're only 5 weeks of training into the year. We would like to thank all our instructors for helping us reach this standard, particularly Senseis Richard and Petre who coached and supported us on the day. We hope you'll all join us celebrating in the upcoming socials and in our squads training to carry this momentum forwards for Varsity and BUCS next term!