Skyla shines to win bronze in Dutch Open tournament
A YOUNGSTER from Halifax Sport Karate beat competitors and lockdown blues to register success in a virtual winter competition.
Lockdown has been tough for all sports clubs and Halifax Sport Karate members have found it difficult to compete and train.
However, a ray of light came when nine-year-old Skyla Handley decided to compete in an online competition and entered the third Dutch Open E-tournament, sponsored by Hayashi and run by the Dutch Karate Federation.
It was Skyla’s international karate debut and she faced competition from many other countries when she competed in the under-10s E-kumite female section, representing her club Halifax Sport Karate and her Association, Bushido Ryu.
The Dutch tournament attracted competitors from all over the world and despite facing tough competition and debut nerves, Skyla produced a brilliant performance to impress the online judging panel and scoop a bronze medal.
Her coach and father Matt, who is a former England representative and England National Para Coach, said: “I’m so proud of my daughter for continuing to work hard during lockdown in her karate training and also pushing herself at a competitive level.
“Whilst adapting and overcoming what last year has thrown at us all, it shows that anything is possible if you put your mind to it, keep moving forward and adapt to your situation to achieve your goals.”
Halifax Sport Karate shut its doors in March 2020 and has around 250 members. The club has continued to provide online and normal karate lessons in tiered restrictions throughout the pandemic to everyone in the Calderdale community.
Going in and out of lockdown has been tough but the club knows that exercise and fitness is vital and important in improving people’s well-being and mental health.
A club spokesperson said: “At Halifax Sport Karate we take that seriously and we have tried our best to ensure we do our best we can for all our members, newcomers and people of Calderdale in these difficult times.”
Anyone looking to keep fit, learn a new sport or be involved in a club can visit www.halifaxsportkarate.co.uk for more details on classes and times or contact the club for more information.