BASK National Open Competition – Success for ESKA

The ESKA squad has recently returned from a WUKF event with some great results. The BASK (British Academy of Shotokan Karate) Open was held at Brunel University on October 8^th.

Although this was nominally a BASK-related event they widened the invitation list to include squads from ESKA, Karate England, England Karate Kan amongst others, as well as their own linked associations in India and Eastern Europe.

Overall, there were over four-hundred and fifty competitors spread over forty-seven categories. There were the usual individual- and team- kata and kumite classes, as well as adapted kata, and also family kata for those kids not too embarrassed to be seen with their parents!

ESKA was very well represented; we had thirty-one competitors competing in twenty-nine of the categories. This is probably the largest number of squad members ESKA has taken to a single competition and it was great to see everyone competing hard, enjoying themselves and, most importantly, supporting each other.

ESKA was very well represented; we had thirty-one competitors competing in twenty-nine of the categories. This is probably the largest number of squad members ESKA has taken to a single competition and it was great to see everyone competing hard, enjoying themselves and, most importantly, supporting each other.

The results table was once again led by Jazz, Elena, Oli and Rose: Jazz did what she normally does and swept all before her, and Elena, Oli and Rose all got gold medals in categories above their age range – this is allowed in some competitions as a way to build experience. So, it’s a fantastic achievement to get any medal, let alone gold! Special mention should also go to Drew Hurst for winning a silver medal in her first competition. Again, a fantastic achievement.

Looking to the future it was particularly pleasing and impressive that ESKA had entries in eight of the junior kumite categories. At any level, kumite isn’t easy, but to be prepared to get on the tatami mat facing someone you have never seen before can be very daunting. ESKA’s participants didn’t back down and all put on a good show, even if one or two of them kept the medical team interested. But happily, there was nothing more serious than bruising.

So, in total, nine golds, five silvers and seven bronzes. The full results table is below, and once again, well done to all that competed. Thanks to Sensei’s Masaya, for his superb organisation, and Mick for his attention to details on the day, and the other coaches, Sensei’s John, Matt and Jasmine. And particular thanks to all the parents supporting their children; without that support the squad simply wouldn’t exist.

Pictures from the day