Cracking Start To This Seasons 2020 International Campaign
SAKAI/SKE selected only nine young athletes to participate on Saturday at the Berlin International Open. With a total of 921 entries, 126 clubs and 31 nations attending, this was a great start to our 2020 International Campaign for our young athletes.
Our youngsters competed against the best that Berlin and Europe could offer. Out of the nine athletes we selected, six took podium spots and the others gained valuable tatami time and continued to gain more international experience.
A very strong start to the 2020 international campaign with 4 – GOLD medals, 3 – SILVER medals and 1 – BRONZE medal in a highly competitive event in Germany capital Berlin.
Our first podium place of the day came from Miss Caitlin Dunn in the U10, Girls +35kg category with a SILVER.
Next onto the podium was Dundee’s very own “Pocket Rocket” Miss Daisy Hutchison. Daisy put in a solid performance and secured herself BRONZE in the U14 Girls -44kgs category.
Not to be out done by her teammates Miss EVE Watt stepped on to the tatami to secure our first GOLD medal of the day in the U12 Girls -36kgs category. Eve put in an extremely strong, measured and controlled performance to take the Berlin Open Title.
The first of our male athletes to secure a podium spot was Kory Coulter with a SILVER in the highly contested U10 Boys -30kgs category.
Next to take SILVER was Lewis Bryson in the U16 Boys -47kgs category. The final for Lewis was very frustrating as his opponent used questionable tactics to avoid combat and secure the victory.
The last of our athletes to take to the tatami was Matthew Pratt.
Matthew’s personal objectives at the championship was firstly to regain his title in the Cadet +70kgs category. He did not just do that, but he went on to secure a further two titles in the Junior +76kgs category and also the Junior Open category.
These 3 – GOLD medals will hopefully continue to strengthen Matthews case for being considered to represent Scotland’s National Karate Team at forthcoming Commonwealth Karate Championships later in the year.
Matthew continues to grow his experience as an internationalist which we hope will allow him to put in a very strong performance if he is selected to represent our Nation at the Commonwealth Karate Championships. We will of course keep you posted on all of our athletes as the season progresses.