The annual Belgium Youth International saw our dojo members get three silvers with Elvin Vaskys and Cody Chapman coming send in the U18 categories and Elliott Fortnam being runner up in the U16 Boys.
Callum Chapman won the Mens Lightweight crown for the second year running, powering his way to the final before defeating Dave Kientz of the Netherlands once again.
Olivia Pickthall took 3rd place in the Women’s Lightweight and Blake Collins lost in the quarter finals.
The club picked up more honours in the veterans and novice categories with Steven Papworth taking 2nd place in the over 45 years Mens Middleweight. James Clark secured 3rd place in the Mens Novice MW.
In the U18 sections Crawley picked up golds with Isaac Warnfeldt Rush -50kg U16, Finn Buckfield -70 kg U16, Elliott Fortnam +70 kg U16. 3rd place for Cody Chapman U18 MW, Alfie Finch -70kg and Will Power U10 -35kg.
The BKK Summer Camp took place at the Royal Russell with 140 students from 25 clubs across the country taking part in the 3 day seminar comprising of eight training sessions.
The club had four members in the national grading with Colin Spriggs gaining his 2nd Dan Black Belt and Anne Mitchener and James Clark earning their Shodan Black Belts (1st Dan). Richard Flores Moore went one step closer to black belt earning his 1dt Kyu Brown Belt.
The club had 70 youngsters competing in a semi contact event to help give experience to new and up and coming fighters.
Clubs from Wimbledon, Folkestone, Westcroft, Dunmow, Saffron Walden and Bournemouth took part with dojo members and a BBQ and Pizza stall were available through the day with parents all helping to make this a successful event
It was medals galore for the club with all the clubs participants picking up a place join the Welsh Full Contact Championships.
Blake Collins, Steve Papworth, Nick Buckfield, Isaac Warnfeldt Rush, Olaf Dabek, Will Power, Mason Hennessy all took golds.
Cody Chapman, Lewis Fortnam, Elliott Fortnam and Antek Sobecki all took silver.
James Clark, Alfie Finch, Elvin Vaskys and Callum Chapman took bronze with James also winning the most spirited fighter award.
Great Britain finished in second place on the medal table at the IFK European Championships behind Kazakhstan with 3 golds, 4 silver and a bronze medal in Yerevan Armenia.
Crawley had Callum Chapman crowned the U21 Lightweight man Champion, Olivia Pickthall took silver in the Women’s -55kg and Isaac Warnfeldt Rush took silver in the U14 boys.
Also it was a great experience for club members Elliott Fortnam Antek Sobecki U16 and Cody Chapman U18.
The club invited Sensei Jonathan Tineo over from Spain to conduct a fighting seminar which was a sell out. The former World and Multi time European Champion showed technical combinations and put the competitor team through their paces.
‘Crawley’s Sporting Excellence’ were recognised by the CBC and the Deputy Mayor on the wall at K2 Sportscentre.
Hanshi Arneil was honoured for his coaching contribution over four decades as chief Instructor at the Crawley Kyokushinkai Club in Tilgate.
A list of all the people honoured below
We are delighted to announce that Crawley students have been selected as part of the England team for this year’s Pilatus Cup in Switzerland on the 23rd March , except where noted all will be fighting in Kyokushin Contact Rule. Full team below:
James Baker (Saffron Walden)
Ashley Black (Crawley)
Maesi Blackford (Westhill)
Erin Cashman (Saffron Walden) (KATA)
Fynn Clements (Saffron Walden) (KATA)
Mia Hawkins (Crawley)
Charlotte Raisen (Loughborough)
Luke Sabey (Saffron Walden)
Robert Salvi (Crawley)
Evanya Tailor (Loughborough)
Thank you to all the dojo instructors for preparing your students, and again to the parents for your committments. OSU!
Sensei Wai Cheung England U18 Coach
Charlie Denton and Ashley Black fly to Varna, Bulgaria tomorrow as part of a 15 fighter Great Britain team participating in the KWU Youth World Championships and Adult European Championships.
Good luck to both the boys and the whole team.
Thanks to Dave Martin seen here giving them a sponsor cheque to assist with costs for the event and to everyone who also contributed.
Osu!