North West Open 13th March 2010
The LKA had another excellent day at the 41st North West Open, held at the Howe Bridge Sports Centre in Atherton. Sadly the date clashed with the British Universities Championships so we were missing 5 of our top competitors. However, we still managed to win five of the events and completely dominated the Intermediate Male Kumite where we took all three top placings.
David Wright had an excellent day, winning the Senior Male Kata, taking third place in the Intermediate Male Kumite and being part of the winning Team Kumite team. Ashley Scott and Ryan Tucker once again showed their consistent high level of performance, Ashley winning the Senior Female Kata and Ryan the Intermediate Male Kumite.
The Team Kumite event was perhaps the most satisfying. We were missing two of the three fighters that had won the Karate England Nationals in November. However, their replacements took their places superbly, each fighting well and showing they fully deserve their place on the team. In the final, the LKA team took a very good win against their physically larger opponents. Ryan Tucker earned an Ippon with a superb counter punch to win the title.
We would like to congratulate Sensei Billy Higgins for his organisation of this event over the past 41 years! The atmosphere at this years event was excellent, invariably created by the crowd being allowed right up to the competition area. Sadly these days, crowds are kept well back from the fighting areas creating a dull lifeless atmosphere at many events. The NW Open is a shining beacon in this respect.