Bristol Karate Academy competitors did themselves proud over the weekend, finishing the JKS European Championships with three European Champions and eight medals in total.
The 6th JKS Continental Cup & Para Cup was held in Denmark’s capital city, Copenhagen, over the weekend of 13th and 14th September and seven Academy members were selected to compete as part of the JKS England team.
Day 1: Individual events
Day 1 of the event started with the Koten Kata events, which saw placings for two Academy instructors. Sensei Dan Salter took silver in the 50 years+ category, being edged out by Scotland’s Liam Gallagher, while Sensei Tim Griffiths took bronze, having being pipped to the gold medal by a 0.1 score margin.
It wasn’t long until Tim Sensei was able to go for gold, but this time in the Male Kata, 40-44 years. In a reversal of fortunes, his performance of Gojushiho Sho took the title by the same 0.1 margin, seeing him crowned JKS European Champion just ahead of his friend and fellow competitor, Nadir Affinato from Switzerland.
The results kept on coming as the day progressed.
Lucie Tarr put in a sterling performance to pick up her first international medal: a bronze in the Female Cadet Kata - just 0.1 from a silver, against her Italian competitor after wins against Sweden, Ukraine and another Italian athlete.
And there was more good news for the Tarr family, as George took to the tatami in Male Under 21 Kata. George’s category was very tight, but after some strong performances he won his opening round 3-2 against his Italian opponent and his second round against Portugal. Round three saw George comfortably through to the last four, with a 5-0 win against Italy. George’s final kata was Unsu, and with an excellent overall performance and a gravity-defying jump, he leaped his way into first place to become JKS European Champion!
Day 2: Team events
Day 2 saw more silverware heading JKS England’s way and back to Bristol too - this time in the team events.
Nephele Metsiou teamed up with Eleanor Price and Alexandra Ivanics to earn a bronze in Female Under 14s Kata with their performance of Enpi.
Meanwhile, Lucie Tarr won her second medal of the championship, alongside Zarana Gilthorpe and Anastasia State. The girls picked up a magnificent silver, splitting two Italian teams on the podium.
With kata events all complete, the final medal came Bristol’s way in the 8-10 years Team Kumite event. Kumite teams are made up of three competitors, so as Bristol’s Benjamin Griffiths and Harrogate’s Jonty Price took to the tatami, the odds were stacked against them; they both had to win each of their matches. But they did just that!
In the final, Benjamin and Jonty’s England team faced off against Ukraine. Jonty was up first, securing a 3-0 score win. With everything down to the last fight, although the pressure could be felt in the arena, Benjamin certainly did show this as he stepped onto the mat. After four excellent punches, the match was over in just over a minute. And with that, Benjamin and Jonty were crowned JKS European Champions!
A team performance
We are exceptionally proud of how the whole team supported each other over the weekend. In particular, the incredible attitude of Liam Mashford, who narrowly missing out on a medal by way of judge's decision in his final tied match. His response? Making sure Benjamin was warmed up and prepared for team kumite. Well done to all of our athletes for representing both JKS England and Bristol Karate Academy so well throughout the championship.
Congratulations to the whole JKS England squad, who finished third overall in the medal table. Thank you to the supporters, who made the event feel almost like a home one at times, with all of the shouts and cheers. Thank you to JKS Denmark for being exceptional hosts. Finally, thank you to the fantastic JKS coaches and support team, who were always there for us in the run up to the event and over the weekend too.
Here are the full results for Bristol athletes:
GOLD for Benjamin Griffiths in Male Team Kumite, 8-10 years, with Jonty Price
GOLD for Tim Griffiths in Male Kata, 40–44 years
GOLD for George Tarr in Male Kata, 18-20 years
SILVER for Lucie Tarr in Female Team Kata, 14-16 years, with Zarana Gilthorpe and Anastasia State
SILVER for Dan Salter in Koten Kata, 50 years+
BRONZE for Nephele Metsiou in Female Team Kata, 11-13 years, with Eleanor Price and Alexandra Ivanics
BRONZE for Tim Griffiths in Koten Kata, 35-49 years
BRONZE for Lucie Tarr in Female Kata, 14-15 years
If you’re a Bristol Karate Academy member and you’d like to follow in their footsteps, the first step would be to compete in this year’s JKS National Championships, to be held on Sunday 16th November. Details will be sent out shortly.