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19th SKDUN Gichin Funakoshi World Championships

SKC England attended the 19th SKDUN Gichin Funakoshi World Championships in Halle, Saale, Germany. A number of Karateka have provided reports of the event, the best of which have been published here. Enjoy!

Report by Hazel Jenkins:

The world championships in Germany this year was a brilliant experience for me, as a second time around at the worlds I felt a little more comfortable and with the great support from the whole squad and sensei Graham, this year was even better than last. It's given me a lot to push for to improve for any competitions in the future and has given me even more experience at high level kumite... which I find very helpful. Overall, the competition was an exciting, challenging, amazing weekend and I love being a part of such a strong and supportive squad (:

Report by Rhiannon Hackman:

After a long and tiring journey due to delays we arrived at our hotel. I knew I needed to get a good night’s sleep in preparation for the next day’s competition but I felt too excited and nervous to sleep. I knew there were going to be a lot of very strong competitors taking part with high standards and it wasn’t going to be easy.

I was looking forward to team Kata most. Antoinette, Salem and I had been practicing very hard and we were all hoping this would pay off and it did. We came away with silver however we have our sights set on gold next time.

I was also entered for two other team kata events with Mohammed, Hazel and Antoinette and although we had not had as much time to practice I was really pleased that we got bronze in these events.

Although only a small squad was sent to Germany we came back with quite a few medals and trophies. SKC England performed very well but the thing that meant the most to me was how we all supported and helped each other. I feel very proud to be part of something so special and honoured to be selected to represent SKC England at international competitions.

Report by Rona Hackman:

There was a real sense of excitement as we all met at Heathrow on our way to the 19th SKDUN Gichin Funakoshi World Championships being held in Halle, Saale in Germany. Unfortunately our plane was delayed but this was put to good use by a competitive game of cards (cheat) which saw Salem and Antoinette winning a round each. It was a great way of getting to know each other better and bonding as a team in a more relaxed atmosphere. However, our delay had a serious knock on effect – we missed our connecting flight to Leipzig and had to be redirected to Dresden. This didn’t upset our SKCE competitors as they took the opportunity to practice team kata in the departure lounge, much to the delight of the other passengers (the applause spoke for itself). Two cabs and a train journey later we eventually arrived at our hotel some seven hours later than expected and although tired and hungry, our competitors were still in high spirits and looking forward to the following days’ competition.

A late night and early start had not dampened the Squads’ spirit for the days events, and although feeling nervous, they were excited and keen to get started and were not going to let the 240 Romanian competitors or anyone else intimidate them.

The day began with Individual Kata and, as expected of a World Championship, the standard was extremely high. The first of England’s medals was won by Mohammed and Salem achieving gold in their categories. Antoinette, silver and Hazel, bronze. Rhiannon placed in the final eight, finishing fifth overall.

Next came Team Kata – again a tough competition with England doing very well, taking silver in the girls’ cadets section with Rhiannon, Antoinette and Salem, bronze in the girls’ junior section with Hazel, Rhiannon and Antoinette and yet another bronze in the mixed junior section with Hazel, Mohammed and Rhiannon.

After a short break for lunch, the Individual Kumite began with many tough competitors from 27 countries lining up to fight for a medal. Although all our competitors fought bravely and were a real credit to England, Salem was the only medal winner with silver. The days’ events had certainly kept our coach Sensei Graham busy as he tirelessly dashed from one mat to another to support our competitors and Sensei Mark who had refereed practically non stop throughout. After a long exhausting, but rewarding day we returned to our hotel for some much needed sleep in preparation for Team Kumite and the Masters Championship the following day.

Another day full of excitement but unfortunately, not as successful as the previous one with both our kumite teams going out in the earlier rounds.

This left hopes for further victory with Mohammed in the Masters Championship and a surprise entry from Anas, representing Syria – after a few frantic phone calls to the Syrian Embassy. After a long wait, which did nothing to help the competitors nerves, the Masters got under way and saw both Anas and Mohammed going through to the Kata final. Mohammed excelled winning a silver medal and Anas placed fourth. With excited support and cheering from the rest of the team, it was on to the Kumite section, where, although facing much larger and older opponents, Mohammed managed to secure third position which gave him a silver overall.

Considering only a small squad was sent to represent England this time, they did exceptionally well, bringing home many medals and proving once again that SKCE is a force to be reckoned with.

I would also like to add what an honour and a pleasure it has been to support such a group of talented young karateka who were supportive of each other and a great credit to SKCE and their country.

However, our story doesn’t end there – if you thought our travel to the competition was unfortunate, our return was just as fraught due to a baggage handlers dispute at Munich. Our luggage was not transferred on to our plane for Heathrow, so we arrived home with no suitcases.

But even that last little blip couldn’t take away the satisfaction and happiness we all felt following a wonderful competition.

Report by Sensei Graham

I have not yet mentioned in full the memories I have of the Championships so just to let you know what I saw these guys do: Anas fighting the eventual Mens World Champion, scoring on him and fighting like I'd never seen him fight before! Mohammed fighting a senior who must have thought "He is just a kid", punching Mo's nose and giving him a nose bleed only to lose to a lightning fast Mo. Then in the Masters, Mo line up by far the smallest there, beating a guy in kumite (guessing late 20's 6ft+). He, like Anas had a fight and I'd not seen him fight like that before, real aggression and speed, like he was fighting for his life! Salem clambering over seats to get in the adults kumite team (she's only 12!). Rhiannon and Antionette being VERY nervous but going out to fight courageously. Hazel getting 3 bronze medals (hogging them) and fighting really well, best is yet to come. They were all really awesome!

Report by Mohammed’s Mum:

We arrived on a cold wet Saturday morning the venue was buzzing with anticipation, the England squad were raring to go. The competition started at 10am with 27 countries taking part.

First up from the squad was Rhiannon for Kata, she was against some strong opposition mainly the Romanians who seemed to dominate the competition. Next up was Mohammed for Kata 18-20 year age group 68kg. He did Bassai-dai and got through to the final 8 with a top score. There were some very strong sharp performances. Mohammed’s final Kata was Unsu and he got gold in this category. Then came Hazel who was in the 18-20 categories which was again dominated by the Romanians. Hazel got through to the final 8, eventually getting bronze. Then came the 12-13 year category in which Antoinette and Salem competed. Both girls got through to the final 8 with Salem receiving gold and her sister Antoinette silver. Then came the team Kata first up was Rhiannon, Salem and Antoinette. They did a brilliant Kata and lost out to the Romanians eventually winning silver. Next up was Mohammed, Hazel and Rhiannon. The Kata they did was Nijushiho again, a brilliant Kata but losing out to the Romanians they received bronze. Next came the mixed team Kata with Mohammed, Anas and Rhiannon. They did Nijushiho and came 4th, losing out to the Romanians and Hungarians.

After lunch the Kumite started. First was Mohammed in the cadets under 68kg. This was a very large category with the Romanians being the majority. Mohammed got through round 1 with a win, but was unfortunately knocked out of Kumite by a Romanian in the second round. Then came Antoinette’s and Salem’s category, 12-13 years over 35kg, they were a strong opposition to the Romanians. Antoinette drew with her opponent and Salem won her round, there were 7 in the category. Then came the mens’ open, Mohammed won the first round with a blooded nose but continued to fight. Het lost second round to a Romanian, coming fourth in the end.

Sunday 9th October was a day for the team. Kumite started at 10.15 sharp. Mohammed, Anas, Louise, Hazel and Danny from Ireland who was fighting for England were in the mixed team category. They lost three rounds with Mohammed scoring 1 point and an Ippon. Then came the girl cadets, Rhiannon, Salem and Antoinette, and they lost to their opponents. Then came representatives of the 27 participating countries, who stood with the flags and names of their countries. There were speeches made by the judges and a display by the German girls dance troop.

After a long break, came the much anticipated Grand Masters for Mohammed who was doing Kata and Kumite for England. Mohammed performed Empi to get through to the final. He then did Unsu and got silver. Straight after that he started kumite. Mohammed had some tough opponents who had previously won in their own categories. Mohammed was placed 3rd in kumite and overall he came 2nd in the Grand Masters.

SKCE Results

Mohammed Salih

Gold Youth Male Kata

Silver Masters Male Final

Bronze Seniors Mixed Team Kata

Qtr-Finals Youth Male Kumite

Qtr-Finals Male Open Kumite

Salem Koussa

Gold Children Girls Kata

Silver Children Girls Kumite

Silver Cadet Girls Team Kata

Antoinette Koussa

Silver Children Girls Kata

Silver Cadet Girls Team Kata

Bronze Youth Female Team Kata

Rhiannon Hackman

Silver Cadet Girls Team Kata

Bronze Youth Female Team Kata

Bronze Seniors Mixed Team Kata

Hazel Jenkins

Bronze Youth Female Kata

Bronze Seniors Mixed Team Kata

Bronze Youth Female Team Kata

Anas Jarboua

4th place Masters Male Final

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