Amazing April for Yamakai
Yamakai Karate Club enjoyed an amazing April with young fighters winning 18 medals on their travels.
The club won six gold, three silver and nine bronze awards over the last month, excelling at home and abroad.
First up was the Stewarty Open Championships in Dumfries which was aimed at novice competitors. Yamakai picked up four medals with gold going to Isaac Eddleston in the 12 to 13yrs boys open Kumite section.
Iona MacDonald won silver in the 10-11yrs Kumite with bronze medals going to Gordon Burns in the senior male open and Amy MacDonald in the 15-16yrs girls kumite.
Three members then travelled to Holland for the first Amsterdam Open Kumite Championships. Louis Galasso returned with gold in the cadet male under-63kg kumite, coming through five matches to win his gold and didn’t drop a point in any of them.
Club coach Jim Ross, 6th Dan, said: “This result, allied with Louis’ performances at the Scottish International Open should seal his place in the Under 21 Scotland squad for the World Championships in October in Tenerife.
“He has performed really well and the club are delighted for him.”
Following Galasso’s success, the squad then travelled to Edinburgh for the annual Scottish International Open Championships, which was held over two days.
Day one was by far the group’s most successful, winning gold medals in the cadet male under 57 kilos with Luke Miller, gold in the junior under 61 kilos with Calum McDonald and gold in the cadet male open section for in-form Louis Galasso.
Silvers went to Matthew Miller and Amy Luke in their respective individual categories with bronze medals going to Keir Fraser, Amy Luke in the open section, Louis Galasso, Jack Johnston and Liam Carlin. Emma Boyle won two bronze medals in both her weight category and open section.
In other news, Yamakai member Amy Luke will travel to Turkey with Scotland Senior Karate squad to compete in the 52 European Karate Championships in Kocaeli this month.
Amy is only the second Yamakai member to have been selected for the full senior National squad. Amy has already represented Scotland in under 21 events, but this will be a massive step up, and a massive learning experience.
Yamakai Karate East Kilbride are on the lookout for new members and are now enrolling.
The classes are held twice weekly in the United Reformed Church Hall in East Mains.The classes incorporate Shotokan basics with competition sport Karate. Beginners need only a t-shirt and joggy bottoms to get started, with the first week being free of charge.
Anyone wishing further information can contact club coach Jim Ross on 01698 421790.