Martial arts
Annual tournament
Competitors from Argyll Martial Arts in Oban, Dalmally and Inveraray along with the Senshi Do Kickboxing club in Oban and Caledonia Kyokushin clubs in Oban, Lochgilphead and Stirling travelled to Mid Argyll Sports Centre in Lochgilphead to take part in the annual tournament organised by Iain Rodger.
Win or lose, the competitors gained valuable tournament experience to put them in good standing for the next event.
Everyone taking part put on a great show that was enjoyed by competitors and spectators.
Young Cody McCulloch fought in his own category (11-13 years) and also stepped up to take part in the 14-15 years category and came away with gold in both, an amazing achievement.
There were quite a few ‘first timers’ which can be daunting, but all of them took to it like veterans. Results were as follows:
Kumite (fighting): 8-10 years 6th Kyu+ - 1 Douglas Cameron, Argyll Martial Arts (AMA); 2 Lewis Cairns (SDKB); 3 Daniel May, Senshi Do Kickboxing (SDKB and AMA). 11-13 years Novice 7th Kyu - 1 Siri Dawton Independent Kyokushin Karate Union (IKKU); 2 Andi MacFarlane (IKKU). 11-13 years girls 6th Kyu+ - 1 Mina Ritchie (IKKU); 2 Mirrin Bowden (IKKU); 3 Eloise Giaestiere (AMA). 11-13 years boys 6th Kyu+ - 1 Cody McCulloch (SDKB); 2 James Snelgrove (IKKU); 3 Callan May (SDKB & AMA). 14-15 years boys 6th Kyu+ - 1 Cody McCulloch (SDKB); 2 Lewis May (SDKB & AMA); 3 Donald Robertson (IKKU).
Kata (set patterns): Kyokushin junior Kata (low grade) - 1 Viltorio Mosca (IKKU); 2 Andi MacFarlane (IKKU); 3 Siri Dawton (IKKU).
Kyokushin junior kata (high grade) - 1 James Snelgrove
(IKKU); 2 Eve Salmon
(IKKU).
Shukokai junior Kata (high grade) - 1 Joshua Mitchell (AMA); 2 Eloise Giaestiere (AMA); 3 Douglas Cameron (AMA).
Shukokai adult Kata; 1 Kenny Gray (AMA); 2 Elaine Mitchell (AMA).
The best technique award went to James Snelgrove of the Lochgilphead IKKU club and the most spirited fighter award went to Gracie Hill from Senshi Do Kickboxing.
For details about the Kyokushinkai Karate classes, contact Iain on 07584 166542 or email iain@ikku.co.uk
For details on the kickboxing classes visit the Senshi Do Kickboxing Facebook page or email Wullie on shihanwill@ gmail.com
Anyone looking for information on the Argyll Martial Arts clubs can get details from Kenny Gray on 07884 183905 or kenni.gray@btinternet.com
Wado Kai Karate
On Sunday November 10 at Atlantis Leisure members of the Oban Wado Ryu club were treated to a masterclass in defence techniques from Hanshi Ronnie Watt OBE, 9th Dan and Order of the Rising Sun. Ronnie is President of the National Karate Federation and runs clubs in Aberdeen and the east of Scotland.
Students were taken through a range of techniques from the Shotokan tradition, which are subtly different to closely related techniques taught in the Wado style of Karate.
Ronnie’s vast experience and knowledge were greatly appreciated and the course ended with sparring bouts to put the new techniques into practical application.
Formal gradings took place and the following students were successful in gaining new belts:
Jamie Summer (Green Belt), Nathan Isaac (Green Belt), Sandy Black (1st Dan Black), Julie Faulkner (2nd Dan Black), David Isaac (3rd Kyu Brown), Jane Bruce (3rd Dan Black) and Mike Faulkner (2nd Dan Black).
A special presentation was made by Ronnie Watt to Chris Bruce. A silk handstitched 8th Dan Black Belt - awarded by the National Karate Federation for services to the sport.
The Wado club welcomes new members and practices at Dunbeg School on Tuesdays from 6.30pm. Contact Mike Faulkner for more details. m.faulkner6@btinternet.com