Dundee karate club’s super start to season

SPORT Karate East (SKE) got off to a good start at the season opener, winning two gold, a silver and three bronze medals at the Scottish Karate Grand Prix.

SKE had athletes on the podium from six-16 years of age.

on the podium was Jacob McGlone who won a gold medal.

Not to be outdone was SKE’S youngest athlete, Nikola Blaszczak, who secured a silver medal in the girls 5-6 years category.

These two early successes fired up the squad.

In rapid succession, SKE’s Pocket Rocket, Daisy Hutchison, won gold in the girls 7-9 years category, followed by two bronze medals from Filip Zmudzinska in the boys 7-9 category, which had 64 athletes in the draw, and Dawid Blaszczak in the boys 10-11 years.

The final bronze medallist was Allan Jones in the 16-18 years.

SKE coach Richard Mallinson said the squad is making good progress, adding: “The depth of talent we have within these young Dundee athletes is impressive.”

Standout performance of the day was from Xander Dunn.

Richard went on: “Even though Xander did not make it on the podium, his performance epitomises the mindset we are encouraging our athletes to embrace that they have to believe to achieve.

“Xander was losing a match with only one second left on the clock and required a three-point head kick to proceed to the next round. Needless to say that is exactly what this 10-year-old did.

“He believed in himself and achieved his objective.

“The mindset takes our athletes further t han j ust t heir physical attributes.”

Action from the Dundee East (light tops) v Raith game in the East Region U/11 girls football festival held at Seven Acres in Perth.

Letham U/11 Juniors took part in the East Region football festival at Perth’s Seven Acres.