AMA Irish Open 11th October

Five members of the Phoenix Karate Schools AMA squad, travelled to Dublin in Ireland for the 11 th October to compete in the Irish International Open Karate Championships. Accompanied by Chief Instructor and AMA Squad Coach Charles Trorey 4 th Dan they joined the rest of the AMA competitors to bring back a hoard of trophies.

The AMA came away with 12 Gold, 8 Silver and 12 Bronze medals with the Phoenix students collecting 6 of these.

Lowestoft’s James Allan showed what an experienced seasoned fighter he has become competing in two Cadet Categories the under 70kg and the open weights. In the under 70kgs he finished in 3 rd place, beating two of his opponents 8 points to Nil. James using a perfectly executed chudan geri kick to the opponents back was far superior, than his Irish opponents. In the open weight he fought through to the final, but could not manage to hold on finishing 1 point down after echo sen (extra time).

Also bringing home two medals was Gorleston’s Lewis Saunders. Lewis also took part in two categories the 15 years and under, under 55kgs and the open weight, where he fought through to the semi finals in each section. In the Under 55kg section Lewis fought a Scottish international and although he put up a good fight could not contain him. In the open weight he was leading at the 30 second stage but was up against a much larger opponent and could not hold on to his lead.

Charlotte Fisher from Great Yarmouth showed great improvement in her weight category, fighting through to the semi final where she was narrowly beaten. In the open weight she fought fellow AMA squad member Emily Carpendale in the semi finals, the fight was so close with the lead changing continuously, that it went into extra time and Emily managed to get the Gak in to go through to the final and on to win the title.

10 year old Hannah Wheeler-Smith from Lowestoft made it to the final of the girls under 40kgs where she lost in the last second, as she went in for the winning point, but was beaten to it by her Irish opponent. In the open weight she came up against fellow AMA squad member Philippa Ernst who was the superior fighter on the day and went on to take 2 nd place.

Frasier Thompson was the only student to come away without a medal, even though he reached the quarter finals in both his individual and team events. Frasier took a couple of knocks in his opening rounds and did well to go as far as he did.

Chief Instructor Charlie Trorey said” The students fought with courage and determination and showed great skill. The quality of the contenders was world class and the AMA team performed well. As in all the major internationals, all competitors received a participant’s medal and the medal winners received a voucher to purchase the latest quality equipment."