Pre-BUCS Competition 2022

Competition Report

On Saturday 5th February, a squad of 6 CUKC members (knocked down from 7 due to COIVD isolations) made their way to the David Ross Sports Centre in Nottingham, to compete in the University of Nottingham Invitational Clash. It was a successful day for CUKC, with every single competitor from the club leaving with at least one medal.

The day started off with kata. Alex Duncan and Maeve Brittle performed a promising Shisochin and Jion respectively but couldn’t medal among fierce competition. President Sam Hill secured a bronze medal with his Supariempi and Unshu, while Captain Millie Johal won a silver medal for her Kosukun-Dai and Anan.



After kata came kumite: first years Callum Reid and Alex Kutuzov impressed, having won an individual gold each in their respective weight categories, both without conceding a single point! Meanwhile, Sam won a bronze in individual kumite, after havisng won his first round 8-0.



The first woman to fight was Millie, and she was able to win her first two fights 7-0 and 3-2 to secure the silver. Maeve Brittle fought hard against her opponent who was almost twice her height but couldn’t win. In her first WKF rules competition, Alex Duncan fought well against a talented opponent but eventually lost.



After individuals, the women’s team kumite fought in the gold-silver match against Nottingham and got off to a rocky start. A head injury sent Maeve out of action and placed the opposing team in the lead 1-0. Despite a strong performance in the second bout, Alex D was unsuccessful in defeating a difficult opponent. After losing 2-0 in the final, the women’s team was awarded silver.



The men’s team, pulled together at the last minute on the day, consisted of 3 members out of a possible 5; Alex K, Callum and Sam would have to win every single fight to win the match, as the other team would automatically have two wins due to numbers. Against all odds, every single one of them won in the first round. This placed them in the gold-silver bout, where Alex K and Callum both wiped the floor with their opponents, evening the score at 2-2 going into Sam’s fight. He fought well against a skilled opponent, but he eventually lost. This narrow loss of 3-2 placed the men’s team in silver.



The day concluded with an exhibition performance from the mixed team kata (Alex Duncan, Millie and Sam) of Anan including bunkai, observed by over 7 judges, as practice ahead of BUCS.

Many thanks to Sensei Richard Poole and Danielle Ball for coaching, and to Sonny Roberts for organising the competition and inviting CUKC.

Overall

Picture left to right
Alex Kutuzov - gold -senior ind. kumite +75Kg, silver - mens team kumite
Callum Reid - gold - senior ind kumite - 67 Kg, silver - mens team kumite
Millie Johal (Captain) - silver- senior women's ind kumite, silver - senior ladies kata, bronze - women's team kumite
Richard Poole (coach)
Maeve Brittle- bronze- women's team kumite
Alex Duncan - bronze -women's team kumite
Sam Hill- silver- under 75 Kg senior mens ind. kumite, bronze- senior mens ind kata, silver -mens team kumite