Karate Competition

At the weekend the two boys both participated in their first ever karate competition. The competition was more and exhibition for the tots to get them used to performing in front of a crowd and to build their confidence. I couldn't have been more prouder as I got to watch them both perform their individual routine (kata type event) and then they played the tots tag game to simulate fighting. In the tag game they are only allowed to punch to the body or tap the top of the head but its a great way to get them moving around and learning to block without getting hurt.

 

Much like me, Joshua was getting very nervous during the morning of the event and was actually saying he didn't want to do it. I explained to him that it is natural and good to have nerves and that I am exactly the same for any sporting event. I told him he had to try at least one competition to find out whether he liked it or not. As it turned out Joshua thoroughly enjoyed the competition and as soon as he got home his medals went into his school bag to take into school for show and tell. Brandon on the other hand was not lacking in any confidence and showed no signs of nerves. Given half the chance he would have stood up on the mats all day long performing for the audience.

 

Joshua rushed his kata routine and very quickly got off of the mars. But then when it came to the fighting he was a different animal and got right stuck in there.

Joshua showing some of his blocks.

Brandon lacking no confidence as he does some kicks in zenkutsu dachi.

Nice high knee position as Brandon does his snappy kicks.

Joshua happy with his medal for his kata routine.

And Brandon with his medal (he enjoyed it so much he got up and had a second go!).

The fighting starts and Joshua takes on the slightly bigger Arian.

Joshua is much like me in his fighting stance, just charge forward throwing punch after punch with complete disregard for defence and blocking!!!

Joshua scores a point to the body.

Brandon was a bit more clinical in his fight, but he holds his hands in a dangerously low guard making it difficult for him to block.

Brandon gets a head tag in.

Brandon's friend Samuel gets a good tag on B. You can see how low he holds his guard when fighting!

The pair separate ready to commence battle again.

Both boys throwing leather for the head shots.

Lovely chudan tzuki by Brandon as he catches Samuel with a beauty.

Joshua's second fight against another big lad. Nice body shot.

Joshua's forward charging fight style often drove his opponent off of the mat.

At the end of a great little tournament the Abacus contingent show off their medals. From L-R William, Dylan, Joshua, Samuel and Brandon.

 

The sporting weekend wasn't just karate as we also had all of the usual football training and matches on-going. Joshua had his second league game of 2015 against Berry Boys lions which they won 5-2 (coming back from being 2-0 down). Joshua scored his first ever league goal, unfortunately though it was an own goal!!! The FG Tigers all played great though and showed great character fighting back to keep their unbeaten streak running for the 2014/15 league fixtures.