Karate kids on form:
Representing Scotland
Youngsters from Yamakai Karate Club have been in fine form this month – winning a sensational 16 medals.
Members attended three events over the last fortnight and took home two gold, six silver and eight bronze medals for their efforts.
First up was the Stewartry Open karate championships in Dumfries. Comprising mostly novice competitors, Yamakai stars claimed 12 awards.
Gold went to Kayden Moy in the boys 8-9yrs over 4’6 kumite, while Stewart Cheng also claimed gold in the cadet male open section.
Silvers medals were won by Zoe Barbour, Alan Kovalevskij, Isaac Eddleston and Gordon Burns with bronze medals going to Cailen Tolmie, Ben Young, Andrew MacDonald, Bryce Glaister, Eion Danskin and Gordon Burns.
Meanwhile, Yamakai’s Matthew Miller travelled to Blackburn for the WKC Open Championships, reaching the final and taking home a silver medal.
Nine members then travelled to Linlithgow for the Meadowbank Junior Open with three of them successfully lifting awards. Keri Robertshaw was the top performer on the day, winning a silver medal, with bronze awards going to Kayden Moy and Isaac Eddleston.
As well as congratulating the youngsters, club coach Jim Ross also hailed two members after recent announcements.
He said: “I’d like to congratulate Amy Luke on her selection for the Scotland squad.
“She travels to Novi Sad in Serbia to compete in the Senior European Karate Championships this month.
“Amy is competing the the Senior Ladies under-50 kilos Kumite and this will be her second attempt at this event having been in Turkey last year. Good luck to her.
“Congratulations also go to our junior member Kasey McCluskey on winning the student of the month award for April at Yamakai.
“Kasey is preparing to sit her first grading in June and has worked really hard in preparation for this event.
“I’m delighted for Amy and Kasey and all of our medal winners in the last couple of weeks.”
Yamakai meet twice weekly in the United Reformed Church in East Mains and are looking for new starts to join their ranks.
The club accept beginners from fiveyears-old and upwards. Sessions are a mixture of Shotokan and competition sport karate.
For more information contact Jim Ross on 07581 776576 / 01698 421790 or by e-mail at jimross@yamakai.co.uk.