Issue 155
And everybody was kung fu fighting
UWS fight for gold
08th May 2007
Swansea University Karate Club came away from the 2007 BUSA Karate Championships having won 18 BUSA points for Swansea University.
The championships took place at Bath University over the weekend of April 14 and 15, with long days running from 9am to after 8pm. Kata (detailed patterns of movements consisting of blocks, strikes and kicks) took place on the first day, and kumite (fighting) on the second.
First year and Welsh squad member Rhys Jones took gold in the men's senior lightweight kumite, giving him a place at the European Universities Karate Championships in Montenegro this July as well as the chance to qualify for the World Universities Championships. Rachel Herlihy took bronze in the women's kumite, having been knocked out by the eventual winner.
In women's kata, Jessica Forse, who only recently gained her orange belt (the minimum level to compete at BUSA) got through four rounds before being knocked out by the eventual gold medallist. On the second day Pete Sitch competed in the men's lightweight kumite, getting through several rounds before eventually losing the bronze medal match.
The success did not just extend to the current team, but to Swansea alumni who have moved on to other institutions for further study. 2004 graduate Matt Davies (currently at Swansea Institute), who still trains with the university club, took gold in the men's kata, and Philippe Clairet won bronze medals in both kata and kumite.
The last fight of the weekend was a spectacular showdown in the final between Swansea Institute's Dean Draper and Calum Robb from Heriot Watt. In the end Dean lost by a single point and walked away with silver.
The team hopes for even more success next year with gold medalist Rhys Jones competing for the his second year and the return of some members unavailable for this tournament due to it taking place during the Easter vacation, as well as several promising novices rising through the ranks.
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