Medals and masters title for Halifax club fighters
SUCCESS CAME in all age groups as a team from Halifax’s Bushido Ryu Association took part in the British Karate Championships, the first major championships since 2020.
A number of youngsters were competing at this level for the first time, among them Elise Morton, who was fighting in the under-55kg senior female division.
Elise performed superbly to reach the semi-final where she faced Scottish number one and Team GB representative Amy Connell, who used her experience to edge a great match.
Nevertheless, Elise returned home with great experience and her first bronze medal in a senior weight division.
Also celebrating a superb bronze after making the step up to the senior stage for the first time was Amber Allsop, fighting in the over-59kg. In the semi-final, she took on English number one Rochelle Walters, who clinched a point in the closing seconds of the match to progress to the final.
Club, Association and England National Para Karate Coach Matthew Handley came out of retirement to fight in the British Championships for the first time since 2014.
Inspiring the club’s youngsters, the 40-year-old competed in the Masters over-35s section and defeated his Scottish opponent 2-0 in the first round.
He then edged out former England teammate, 6th Dan black belt Audun Daniels in a tactical, tight match before defeating Tubbs Dosanjh 1-0 in the last four.
And Handley was not to be denied in the final, recording a 5-0 win to scoop the British Masters title.
Anyone wishing to take up karate should visit the website at www.halifaxsportkarate.co.uk