Backwell trio pick up national gold

20 November 2016

Congratulations to our competitors at today's JKS England Open National Championships in Nottingham.

Backwell Karate’s kata team of Tim Griffiths, Steven Connell and Ashley Hall went one better than last year’s silver medal by winning the Team Kata event. After three elimination rounds, Backwell’s performance of the kata ‘Sochin’ in the final was strong, controlled and enough to take the club’s first ever gold medal at the JKS England Nationals. This latest gold marks a great sign-off to 2016 for the team, who also won the KUGB Southern Region Championships and the WTKO Irish Open.

Both Ashley Hall and Steven Connell added to their individual medal tallies after picking up bronze in the men’s kumite and men’s kata, respectively. Ashley battled through some tough matches but showed grit, determination and tactical awareness by coming from 3 points down in his semi-final to win in overtime and clinch a medal. Steven’s final was equally impressive and after tying for third place he won the rematch with a sharp performance of Gojushiho Sho.

Ian Connell added to his impressive 2016 medal tally with a bronze medal in Veteran’s Kumite (aged 40+). In a closely matched semi final, Ian fought three-times JKS England Veteran Kumite champion, Richard Fewkes. With the fight too close to call Fewkes went ahead in the closing stages, winning by just a single point.

Here are the results from our club:

GOLD in Team Kata: Ashley Hall, Tim Griffiths, Steven Connell
BRONZE in Senior Male Kata: Steven Connell
BRONZE in Male Veteran Kumite: Ian Connell
BRONZE in Senior Male Kumite: Ashley Hall

Well done everyone!

Full squad: Annette Connell, Ian Connell, Steven Connell, Tim Griffiths & Ashley Hall.