News
Northwest Open - Wigan 14/03/09
Malvern entered 23 members to the 40th Anniversary North West Open Championships, held in Wigan Lancashire, and like in recent years Malvern came away with some success. With most of the Junior members being debutants the only thing that was expected was that they gave it their best effort and no one let the club down. The highlight from the Junior members was Antony Hickmans tactical display in the 11-15 year olds 5ft - 5ft 5" kumite. Antony fought from round one with a relaxed, confident attitude showing he can score techinques that some adults wouldn't try. He eventually went on to win comfortably in the event
The first event for Seniors was the Male Team Kumite, with Malvern drafting in a third member in the form of Former World silver medalist Steven Rooney. The team were unfortunately beaten by LKA. Who went on to win the Team Kumite event. Helen Crowe, Laura Johnson & Carolyn Donovan all entered the Female Kata but were all knocked out in the earlier rounds. Of the three Ladies, Helen was the only member to compete in the Senior Female Kumite. Another good performance from Helen but was just short of the semi finals again. Being beaten by the winner of the event.
Last of the Seniors was Damien O'Donnell who entered the Male Senior Kumite. Damien rolled back the years he spent as a junior putting fine performances together. to go on to win the event and meeting European Gold Medalist with the England Team, Liam O'Grady. Damien went in to the fight scoring ippon with a fast double technique.
KUGB Grandslam - Chesterfield - 7/03/09
The first competition of the year saw two of Malverns four England Squad members compete in the first KUGB Grandslam of the year. Laura Johnston fought in the Junior female Kumite but was unfortunately beaten in the seocnd round. Helen Crowe went through to the Quarter final and was beaten on decision in a close match to the eventual runner up of the event Senior Ladies Individual Kumite.
KUGB Squad Selection - 31/1/09 - 1/02/09
At the end of January Malvern had a total of 4 members attending the Red Triangle in Liverpool for the Junior and Senior Kumite Squad selections. Laura Johnston and Kyle O'Donnell attended the Junior Selection on Saturday. Chris Cray and Helen Crowe attended on the follwing Sunday for Senior selection.
Malvern are happy to announce that all four members were selected for their respective Squads and will be competing at the forthcoming Grandslams this year.
ESKA European Championships - Crawley - 22/23.11.08
The KUGB held this years ESKA European Championships in Crawley, Sussex. Chris Cray was the only member from Malvern who was selected to compete at this event.
Chris was defending his titles in both the Individual and team kumite Events. Unfortunately Cray didnt bring the individual title back to England as he was beaten in the last sixteen by a member of the Russian Team. But there was better fortune in the Team event as the Senior team Brought back the gold for the second year running. The team of Chris Cray, Jon Bruce, Michael Davison, Liam O'Grady & Dean Field (Fighting order)Fought off opposition from Portugal in the Quarter final. With the score being 1-1 at the end of 5 fights. It was Chris Cray who went out for the sudden death fight, Facing off against two time Junior European Champion, Carlos Castro. Chris took the fight to Castro scoring the first and onmly point of the fight. Taking England into the Semi Final Against Spain. Once again England came through to beat a strong Spanish team to set up a final with Austria.
Once again the England Team fought well in the final to take the title for the second consecutive year Beating Austria 3-0. Also Congratulations to the Junior England team of Ryan Tucker, Jon McGorian, Craig Reynolds & Jake Baker on winning the Junior Team Kumite
Northern Region Championships - Leeds - 15.10.08
This Year Malvern had 16 competitors enter the Northern Region Championships in the Southern Leeds Athletics Stadium. Competitors ranged from Senior members of the club, right down to some of its newer members.
Malvern had some success in the under Brown belt Kata. While some of the team made it through a few rounds it was This Years National Champion Scott Murphy and Antony Hickman who made it through to the Final. Antony was first on the mat and came away with a respectable 3rd place. Antony Also gained 3rd in the Boys Kumite, Losing to the eventual Winner. Whilst Scott took 2nd in the Kata. Missing by 0.2 points on 1st place.
Chris Cray once again came up with the goods winning his 5th Northern Region title in 7 years. Chris came up against Joe Hart of Leeds in the final. Joe has shown his worth this year. Beating 3 of 5 Senior England Team members.
But Chris dominated the fight from the start. Scoring Ippon with Jodan Mawashi Geri and then controling the fight with simple but effective counter punching. Final score was 4-0.
9 members of Malvern took part in this years shotokan cup. Although it wasnt the most successful day for the club they did manage to bring back some medals back to the club.
Firstly Kyle O'Donnell took 3rd Place in the 16-17 Junior Kumite. Kyle fought some exciting matches and deserved his medal at the end. For the Final event Chris Cray took Home the Shotokan Cup for the fifth time. Chris fought fellow England Team Member Jon Bruce in the Semi final taking a 1-0 victory with a well timed counter.
Chris Went on to fight Antony Duffy in what turned out to be one of the more exciting finals in recent years. With plenty of exchamges and techniques being thrown. But It was Cray who went on to take the title 3-1 and was awarded the Shotokan Cup for The Male Kumite. His second in three years. Congratulations to all who entered
Shotokan Cup - 20.09.08 - Chesterfield
Grandslam - 30.08.08 - Chesterfield
Malvern had 5 members compete in the second Grandslam event of the year. Helen Crowe was unlucky in what was her second grandslam. Coming up short against Vicki Mulhearn who made her way to the final. Laura Johnston was also unlucky as she was beaten by Mel Finley in the first round.
Kyle was also beaten in the in the last eight of the competition in the under 18's Kumite. Chris Cray and Damien O'Donnell met each other in the Senior Male Kumite. The fight was 1-1 at the end of the first 2 minutes but it was O'Donnell who came out on top as Cray was disqualified for bad control, Damien went on to fight in the final, Only to be beaten by Antony Duffy in the final. Chris Cray also fought in the England Senior team that beat Wales 4-1 later that day.
Liverpool Youth Championships 31/06/08
Malvern took a team of 15 members to this years Liverpool Youth Championships in Greenbank Sports Centre, Sefton. The first events of the day were Childrens kata, Unfortunately no participents made it through to the final, there was still good performance by Antony Hickman, Scott Murphy & Nicole McNaughton. All reaching the quarter final stage. Laura Johnston also did well in Kata making it through to the final of the junior Ladies Kata event she took 4th place with her performance of Niju Shiho. The only other medal for the club was receieved by Antony Hickman. He fought his way through to the final in the 5' to 5' 5" Boys Kumite Category, only to be beaten by Sam Light of Low Fell
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