KARATE KIDS ARE ON TOP FORM
Yamakai Karate Club members enjoyed a super summer, claiming a whole host of medals at events across the UK and Europe.
Starting in Durham in August, several members attended the North East Open. Winning gold was Alan Kovalevskij, who beat team mate Kayden Moy in the final of the boys 10-11yrs, under 4’10 kumite.
Keri Robertshaw also impressed in the girls 10-11yrs Kumite, claiming silver, while Logan Chilton won a bronze in the Junior Male Open Weight section.
Finally, the boys’ team comprising Kayden Moy, Alan Kovalevskij and Nicholas Quigley took bronze in the 10-12yrs event.
Following that success, a small squad travelled to the Basel Open Masters in Luxembourg.
This event always attracts top performers and this year was no different. Yamakai returned with four bronze medals with Keri Robertshaw claiming bronze in the girls 10-12yrs 36 kilos kumite.
Matthew Miller won bronze in the under 21 male under 60 kilos and Amy Luke took home two bronze awards in the senior female, under 55 kilos event and the senior female open masters category.
Dublin was the next destination for the squad and more medals were claimed at the Irish International Open Championships.
Yamakai members returned with seven golds in the form off Kayden Moy, in the boys 10-11yrs kumite, under 45 kilos, Matthew Miller in the under 21, under-60 kilos kumite, Logan Chilton in the junior male under 55 kilos kumite, Luke Miller in the junior male over-76 kilos kumite and Amy Luke in the senior female, under 55 kilos kumite.
Two members, Kayden Moy and Keri Robertshaw, also took gold medals as part of Scottish Development Squads in their respective team categories.
Silver medals went to Matthew and Luke Miller in their open weight categories, with bronze medal awards going to Keri Robertshaw in the girls 10-12yrs over 36 kilos event and Pheonix Banh in the boys 12-13yrs, 45 kilos kumite.
Rounding off a great spell for the club, several members attended the British International Open Karate Championships at Ravenscraig Sport Centre.
Gold went the the Miller Brothers in their respective kumite sections with silvers going to Keri Robertshaw and Logan Chilton. Issac Eddleson and Matthew Miller took bronze.
Yamakai train twice weekly in the United Reformed Church Hall in East Mains and are always on the lookout for new members.
Anyone wishing to give Karate a go can contact club coach Jim Ross 6th Dan on 07581 776576.
Jim is the current South Lanarkshire sports coach of the year, an award he has now won twice in recent years. Jim can also be contacted by e-mail at jimross@yamakai.co.uk.
Yamakai take beginners from five-years-old and over with their first two weeks free of charge.