Karate club enjoys tournament success (From Barry And District News)

Karate club enjoys tournament success

WINNERS: Back row: Elliot Evans, Rhys Bryant, Leah Copeland and Nick Hooper Front row: Rhys Davies, Natasha Paton, Scott Paramore and Josh Carmichael.

VALE Karate have enjoyed some outstanding successes at recent tournaments.

Chief instructor Rob Copeland said: "It is our policy to send our squad to the highest quality tournaments available. We are more than pleased with recent results."

On February 14, Vale Karate Junior Kumite Coach Gareth Reynolds made a winning return to competition after a year out due to back injury.

Gareth won his second British Universities Karate Champion-ships title paving the way for his comeback to the international stage.

The squad took part in the AMA International Open in Nottingham on February 21/22.

Nick Hooper, the Vale's 11-year-old British International Open Boys KATA Champion, won bronze.

All three boys in the Junior A squad kumite team reached the last four in their respective groups.

Rhys Davies lost a close semi-final and then won his repechage to earn bronze.

Elliot Evans and Scott Paramore reached the final. Elliot had taken a few knocks on route and had to withdraw.

Nine-year-old Leah Copeland is another Vale Champion who is equally adept at karate, kata and the kumite.

Against youngsters from all over Britain she managed to reach the final in both events, eventually winning two individual silvers.

The highlight of the day was Natasha Paton's win in the ten-12 girls kumite.

On March 7, the squad attended the British Institute of Karate Organisations UK Open in Bristol.

Nick Hooper, Natasha Paton, Alice Hooper and Scott Paramore all brought home individual gold. Elliot Evans brought home bronze in both kata and kumite.

Josh Carmichael took bronze in kumite.