IT HAS been a great 2022 for Harlow Shotokan Karate Club, with 5 new black belts and an extremely successful day competing at the recent SKE Championships, held at Harlow Leisurezone. Kata (set forms) Kumite(sparring) and team events were held, and hundreds of competitors entered from all clubs in SKE. 

The club fielded both experienced competitors, and those competing for the very first time. Great results were achieved, with a total of 10 gold, 6 silver and 13 bronze medals!

To top it all, Jeremiah Leese was awarded the Spirit trophy, for best male competitor of the day, and his teammate Elliot Shallcross earned the Philip Loates Endeavour Award, for not only his efforts on the day, but for his determination and dedication during his last 12 years of training.

Harlow won 4 of the 5 team events entered, and gained 3rd place in the remaining event. Teams were Male Team Kumite 1st (Jeremiah Leese, Andy Ingold, Joe Mortimer) Senior Team Kata 1^st (Jeremiah Leese, Joe Mortimer, Sara Lopes) Senior under 18 Team Kata 1^st (Janie Ingold, Callum Robertson, Sam Trutt) Open Team Kata 1^st (Darren Trutt, Marcus Krencius, Kieron Dyer) Junior under 18 Team Kata 3^rd (Mark Szabo, Sherri Jolles, Maria Denkewicz)

Outstanding performances in the individual events included Janie Ingold earning 1st in both the under 18 Black Belt Kata and under 18 Female Kumite events.

 Jeremiah Leese won the Male Kumite event, with Andy Ingold winning the Male Veteran Kumite event. These two fighters remained undefeated during the whole day. Tomas Vaskevicius came 1^st in his Novice Kata event, whilst Ethan Jolles also won his Novice Kumite event.

Joe Mortimer gained 2nd place in Adult Black Belt Kata, beating teammate Sara Lopes into 3^rd, Sara also finished 2^nd in the Female Adult Kumite final. Other double medallists were Emily Clements 2^nd Kata, 3^rd Kumite, Shayla Surer 2nd Kumite, 3^rd Kata and Adam Mosea 3^rd Kata, 3^rd Kumite. A whole host of 2^nd and 3^rd places were awarded to other members of the club.

Chief Instructor Erik Thorpe said “although competition is not the main focus of our training, it’s always pleasing to get this level of results, and shows that hard work and determination from all our students, week in and week out in the dojo really does pay off!”

We welcome new students from the age of 6 years old, and train on Tuesday and Friday evenings 7.15-8.15pm beginner and junior grades. 8.15-9.30pm senior grades. You can find out more about us at www.shotokan-karate-england-co.uk