A FOURTEEN-STRONG team of members from the Rising Sun Kyokushinkai karate club took part in the Annual British Kyokushinkai Welsh Championships in Newport last weekend.

Rhys Andrews was first up for Rising Sun, starting strongly with some good shot selections early on, but he was unable to capitalise on a promising opening and was narrowly beaten by his opponent.

Katja Hewitson was next up. Again she started well, taking control of the fight with her clean technique and willingness to advance forward, but an accidental punch stopped her in her tracks and she had to be withdrawn from the competition.

Jake Tressider, one of the clubs most consistent students, was the next to fight. Taking on a more experienced opponent, Jake worked his low kicks and began to dominate the match, but victory was snatched in the last 10 seconds of the bout as his opponent came forward with some last ditch scores to win.

Next up to the mat was the highly anticipated under 8s blue belt and above category which consisted of Lloyd Jones, Jamie Jones, Oscar Bennett & Wilson Wong.

First up was Lloyd against a taller, green belt opponent. The start of the bout saw the green belt throwing some strong low kicks and punches, but unfazed by the early onslaught, Lloyd took control to earn a unanimous victory.

Jamie Jones' fight against a Welsh team member was next up, with Jamie displaying his spectacular high kicks relentlessly to record an easy victory.

Next to the mat was the up and coming Wilson Wong. Wilson started the match in fine form, blocking everything his opponent threw at him., before upping a gear in the second half to win with a fantastic head kick score to finish.

Looking to join his teammates in the semi-finals, Oscar Bennett's match was a tense affair with both fighters not giving anything away, but as Oscar pushed on in the final seconds, he did enough in the judges eyes to claim the win.

The first semi-final saw the Jones brothers up against each other. After a hard fought battle, the judges awarded the victory to Lloyd Jones who advanced to the final.

Oscar Bennett's match-up against Wilson Wong was another close affair, with Oscar judged to have done enough to go through.

The final saw both fighters in the ascendancy at different stages, with Oscar just doing enough to pip his teammate at the end to become Welsh Champion.

In the age 9-10 mixed category, Arwen Kilgour started relentlessly and was up on all cards with half a minute remaining, but an unfortunate hand injury forced her to retire hurt.

Next up was Ruby Bennett who almost immediately caught out her international opponent with an outstanding head kick, eventually going through by unanimous decision.

Ruby continued to outperform her opponents, making it through both the quarter and semi-finals unscathed and putting in a solid performance in the final narrowly losing out to the eventual champion.

The age 14-15 category yellow belt and below category saw William Bennett and Morgan Evans up next.

William’s used his height and power well in his opening bout to get the win, while Morgan – on her return to tournament competition after a spell out – won her first fight with ease.

She managed likewise in her second fight, before beating William in the semi-final. Taking on the current Welsh champion, Morgan secured a unanimous win to become the new Welsh Champion.

Seasoned fighter Ciaron Kerr was up in the next category, packed with fighters with international experience. Despite claiming a straightforward win in the opening round, Ciaron was given a tough draw in the quarter-finals against the current Welsh champion.

Despite a close fought battle, the judges decided to give the bout to Ciaron's opponent, with Ciaron taking third place.

Last up in the senior category was Harry Tilby, taking part in a round robin style tournament. Harry recorded two wins and one defeat for a second place overall finish.

Team Event

The aged 8 category team event, saw the team consisting of Oscar, Lloyd, Jamie and Wilson record three straight wins to become Welsh Champions

The aged 9-10 category team event, saw the team consisting of Ruby, Rhys, Jake and Katja record two wins before losing the final to finish in second place.

The aged 14-15 category team event, saw the team consisting of Morgan, Ciaron and Will record two wins before losing in the semi-finals to finish in third place.

Sensei Lee said: "I'm really proud of the teams' performance today. All their hard work is paying off and I'm now looking forward to our next tournament. I'm hoping we can bring more silverware back to Barry."

Team Rising Sun will be taking part in the British Championships in Reading on November 18.

The club would like to thank it's sponsors, Whiliee Smart, Cardiff Auto Spray, PC and Mobiles Barry, Bennett's Removals and The Baruc Arms.

For more information on joining the club, contact Lee on 07811 110368, or turn up for a free lesson at Barry Island Community Centre on Mondays or Wednesdays. Junior training is between 6.30pm and 7.30pm, while adults train between 8pm and 9pm.