Awarded United Kingdom’s Top Martial Arts Club 2009 & 2010

After many Months of preparing and organising the prestigious day was here ! The 2011 UKMAF / UKASKO National Championships. The first for seven years ! This year the event was held in Wymondham a small market town in Norfolk. Saracen Martial Arts (SMA) had the honour of being hosts.

With Clubs travelling from different parts of the Country, including London, Essex, Lincoln, Leeds, Oldham and of course many of SMA’s clubs participating from across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Grand Master and UKASKO/UKMAF Chairman Roy Stanhope 9^th Dan, UKASKO ‘Chief National Coach’ Kevin Barlow 7^th Dan and UKASKO Chief Referee Coach Neil Kenyon 4^th Dan were also in attendance, having travelled down from Manchester.

The UKASKO/UKMAF Officials for the Nationals were as follows, left to right : Ian Andrews 4^th Dan, Duwain Chase 2^nd Dan, Neil Kenyon 4^th Dan, Julius Manyoni 5^th Dan, Kevin Barlow 7^th Dan, Chris Hemstock 5^th Dan, Ian Soame 6^th Dan, Dave Robb 5^th Dan, Brian Hunter 3^rd Dan, Helen Land 2^nd Dan, Pete Bate 2^nd Dan, David Land 4^th Dan, Roy Stanhope 9^th Dan, Harriet Hemstock 3^rd Dan and Billy Carlton 1^st Dan.

The Competition got underway a little after 11:00hrs with the Pattern/Kata sections. First to grace Area 1 were Boys 10 and Under. This section saw some very good performances, in particular from a young Adam Tattershall.

Next up were the Boys 11 & Over, this category was exceptionally close with the first two places tying not once but twice and having to perform three different Patterns/Katas to determine a winner. So after many minutes of drama with the audience sat on the edge of their seats the results were finally clarified !

The last category to perform Patterns/Katas on Area 1 were the Men’s 18 & Over. Billy Carlton (SMA) has been sweeping all before him at every competition this year, and today was to prove no exception, with a performance that will surely stand him in good stead at the EMAG European Championships next month (October 2011).

Running parallel on Area 2 were the female categories. First group to perform were the 10’s and Under. This was a close run contest and three SMA athletes came out on top.

The Girls 11 and Over followed, with an absolutely stunning performance from the winning athlete Georgina Hemstock, she made her mind up that she was going away with the Gold Medal today and it certainly showed in her perfomance !

Wrapping up the individual female Pattern/Kata categories on Area 2 were the Ladies 18 & Over. Harriet Hemstock (SMA) who has performed at many competitions this year, impressed the Judges and collected the Gold medal and 1^st Place. Hopefully a repeat performance will see her collect Gold at the European Championships next month .

The ‘Pairs Open/Mixed’ 14 Years & Over Pattern/Kata category was on Area 2 next. Another competitive category saw second and third Place in a tie break situation, having to perform a second Pattern/Kata’s for the Judges to come to a decision. Lauren Robb and Henri Eastwood managed to steal the Silver medal and leave Megan Robb and Christopher Reeve with the Bronze.

This was followed by the ‘Pairs Open/Mixed 13 Years & Under category. It goes without saying that Gaby Newby and Emily Latoy deserve massive congratulations, however we should leave some for Laurie and Sam Hyde-Parker too, both who are white belts and had the courage to step forwards and have a real good go !!! Well done lads :)

After a short break for lunch the Judges and Referee’s made their way back to the matted areas to orchestrate the sparring. Boys Under 5ft were the first on Area 1 to don the protective equipment. We were all entertained by some very good performances on route to the final. Connor Soame who is part of the SMA Competition Squad and has picked many competitions this year, was up against Ross Hayes who’s recently joined SMA from another club but has always enjoyed sparring. After a close fought final Ross emerged victorious.

Boys 5ft – 5ft 6” followed, with an exceptional performance from Jamie Williams Leeds Premier Karate (LPK). Jamie showed great timing and lightning speed to win the final against fellow (LPK) athlete Tom Brook.

The Over 5ft 6” Boys were next on the mat. An all SMA final between Chris Reeve and Jack Latoy two good friends, so there was a controlled performance from both fighters and Chris Reeve collected the laurels.

 The Men’s 18+ Open Weight completed proceedings on Area 1, with a bit of a shock result in the first round ! The competition favorite Billy Carlton was knocked out of the competition by veteran fighter Dave Robb, who himself went onto the final only to be beaten by Epsom & Ewell Karate Club athlete Richard Beamen.

Running parallel on Area 2 were the female athletes, sparring this time, with the Girls Under 5ft taking centre stage first. A young Emily Morgan pulled out all the stops and claimed 1^st place and the Gold Medal.

Next up were the Girls 5ft – 5ft 6” this was the only category that was thin on the ground, with two girls fighting it out for first spot. Megan Robb and Emily Latoy went toe to toe with Megan coming out on top !

With no Girls over 5ft 6” entering we went straight onto the Ladies 18+ Open Weight. Earlier in the year at a Norfolk Open Competition two Ladies, Harriet Hemstock and Lydia Sosa fought for first place with Harriet coming out on top. The roles were reversed at the Nationals, with Lydia taking the laurels.

Self Defence concluded the Nationals with two categories taking place. 17 Years and Under Mixed performed their defensive moves first .

The youngsters made way for the 18 Years and Over Mixed. Some of the self defence on display was of the highest caliber, with no punches being pulled !

Overall the day was a huge success, with some excellent performances throughout the categories ! If there was an athlete of the day, it would have to be between three athletes. Billy Carlton picked up two Gold medals and thus becomes a Double National Champion. Harriet Hemstock grabbed two Gold medals and a Silver making her also a Double National Champion. But the athlete that walked away with the most medals on the day and also became a Double National Champion, a Silver medallist and picked up a Bronze too boot was Emily Latoy ! Congratulations to all the athletes on the day. After all taking part is such a massive step and nobody embarrassed themselves, and everyone can be proud of their performance. At the end of the day you all entered the National Championships and nobody can take that away from you !

The day ended with a very special award for a very special athlete. Chief Instructor from Leeds Premier Karate Michael Tattersall was awarded his 6^th Dan Black Belt by Grand Master and Chairman of UKMAF / UKASKO Roy Stanhope 9^th Dan Black Belt. Mike is seen below collecting his award, with Master Soame 6^th Dan and Master Robb 5^th Dan looking on.

A few action shots from the 2011 UKMAF National Championships