Carys kicks her way to top trophy

A MEMBER of Hinckley Karate school won an English National Championship trophy after beating off competitors in her age category.

Carys Jones, 11, from Nuneaton, won the 12-13 years +45kg category.

She smashed her first fight with an 8-0 victory, and beat three other competitors, before winning the final 1-0.

The championships were held at the Leicester Community Sports Arena, for the first time.

For the past 20 years they have been in Sheffield.

The new venue coincided with a rethink around the championships, with reduced categories to enhance the prestige of winning.

All the finals in the 14 years+ events were live streamed.

Carys trains at Simon Coope Karate School, which entered a number of other young fighters into the two-day competition.

Harrison Williams and Adithya Kunigiri fought in the boys 12-13 team event.

Unfortunately Harrison lost in the first two fights, meaning Adithya did not get to fight.

They also both went out in the first round of the individual category, losing 2-3 on flags.

Trainer Simon Coope said: “Both delivered more techniques but couldn’t get the referees to score them.

“With it being the English national championships, the judges are exceptionally vigorous that all criteria are met before they award points.”

Luke MacKay won his first fight on flags 3-2, only to lose to the eventual Bronze medalist.

Ankitha Kunigiri won her first fight 2-1. and was going strong in the second round at 2-0, onlt to lose to a head kick in the final moments.

On the Sunday, William Tatham won his second round 6-2, drew in the semi-final and lost 1-0 in the final.

Libby Davies lost her match 2-0 despite landing two head kicks, and as her opponent lost in the next round she didn’t get thje chance of repercharge.

The last fighter representing the club was David Coope. He lost a close first 4-2 round against fellow England squad member Brandon Jewel.

Fortunately Brandon cruised through to the final and David was called back for repercharge.

David won his first fight for Bronze with a 2-0 win, dominating the next round with a 6-2 victory.

In the final round he landed numerous techniques but failed to get the flags, losing 8-0.