Karate: Kids win 17 medals in open competition

Dec 18 2008 by Margaret Shaw, Hamilton Advertiser

YAMAKAI Karate youth squad attended the BASKA open karate championships at the Meadow Sports Centre in Dumbarton and returned with 17 medals – a great result, as most of the kids were attending their first open karate competition.

The day started with Liam Coakley taking bronze in the mixed kata section nine to 11 years under 6th kyu.

In the girls kumite (fighting sections), Joanne Ross took bronze in the seven to nine years under 4'7.

Kirsten MacAulay took gold in the under-50 kilos kumite then followed it with a silver in the under-55 kilos event.

Lisa Thomson won bronze in the under-58 kilos event, as did Sophie Scullion in the over-58k event.

The boys seven to nine years section under 4'7 saw Yamakai lift all four medals. Chris O'Conner won the gold from Michael Peden, with Greg Henderson and Ben Paterson taking the bronze awards. The group almost repeated this in the boys under-40 kilos kumite, taking three of the four medals. Gold went to Jack Butterfield, silver to Cian Dobbie and bronze to Liam Coakley.

In the under-45k section, Yamakai's Liam Dobbie took gold, then bronze, in the under-50 kilos section, which also saw Ross Shields take the silver medal. In the under-55 kilos event, Aedan Ross won bronze.

December also saw the final matches in the Yamakai internal league, held in Stonelaw Sports Centre in Rutherglen. Gold medal-winners on the night were Charlie Sabban, beginners’ kumite; Greg Henderson, under-25 kilos; Dean Kennedy, under-35 kilos; Liam Coakley, under-45 kilos; Liam Dobbie, over-45 kilos, and Anna Conner in the girls’ kumite.

The East Kilbride squad lifted the association’s club title for the second year in succession, winning an impressive 17 gold, nine silver and 15 bronze throughout the year from second-placed Rutherglen, Uddingston in third and Strathaven in fourth.

Yamakai have clubs throughout South Lanarkshire and are always on the look-out for new members. For further information, phone Jim Ross on 01698 421790.