Medals galore for Team Dojo

14 members of The Dojo with 24 Medals from Midland Open Karate Championships

Fourteen members of The Dojo Karate Centre returned from the Midland Open Karate Championships with 24 Medals to show for their efforts - 11 golds, five silvers and eight bronze.

Suhail Sajid performed excellently to win his first medal, a bronze in the Boys 10 years Kumite along with team mate Charlie Crosby.

Hayley Burke was also competing for the first time. Whilst very nervous, Hayley performed excellently as a Green Belt to come thirrd among other Black Belt Ladies in the Adult Ladies Kumite event.

Allan Moffatt, a 6 foot 5 inch Yellow Belt, also performed excellently in the Mens Plus 18 Years Open Grade event to finish seconnd, just behind team mate Rick Ward in the Kumite.

Rick was also positioned first in Weapons Kata, second in Individual Kata, and third in Pairs Kata, with team mate Christine Crosby, who also got first in Ladies Kata.

Natalie Dean was first in Ladies Kumite with a close fight against a girl from the Midlands.

Jack Jolliffe won all of his three Kata events. However, in his Kumite event for 13-15 years (above 5ft 5in) the other competitors pulled out and the event was cancelled, much to his disappointment as this was Jack’s last competition as a 15-year-old. 

Jack’s team mate Kai Sweeting also came away with a Gold in Pairs Kata, Silver in Kumite, Bronze in Kata and just missed out on a medals in the Weapons Kata.

Ethan Hulse performed solidly to come third in Kata.

Iqra Ishtiaq, who recently achieved her Black Belt, fought very skilfully to win the Girl's Kumite event.

Among the very young contestants, Richard Reygan (7) performed excellently to come second in the individual Kata against some big 8/9 year olds. Richard and team mate Marc Craven (7) were first in the Pairs Kata against much bigger opponents.

Adam Asaf also performed excellently to come second in Kumite and thirrd in Kata in the 5-6 years event.

Sensei Ansari said: "I’m very proud of the Team Dojo performance. While, the usual members have continued to perform well, really well done to the newcomers who all performed excellently at this high level competition."