HARLOW Shotokan Karate Club has gone from strength to strength this year, the club has expanded, opened a secondary dojo in Hare Street School, and recently took part in the 2024 SKE (Shotokan Karate England) Championships held in Harlow Leisurezone on 9th November.

This tournament attracts hundreds of competitors from within SKE, and comprises of individual kata (set forms), individual kumite (sparring) and team events in both categories.

The team was much changed, with several more experienced competitors unable to take part, but there were many members taking part for the first time. These new competitors really rose to the occasion, helping the club to probably their most successful day ever, with 17 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals!

On top of that, club members Darren Trutt and Annie Marano were awarded adult male and female competitors of the day! Both competitors won gold in both kata and kumite events, demonstrating very good all round skills.

Harlow won three team events in kata, the successful teams being 1st Open Team Kata, Harlow A (Emily Thorpe, Darren Trutt, Jan Denkovicz) with a 3rd place also earned for Harlow B (Nicola Merloo, Mark Szabo, Jayni Lee) In the under 18 Junior Team Kata, Harlow Tigers came 1st (Maria Denkovicz, Sherri Jolles, Hannah Fulton) and 3rd for Harlow Spartans (Kacper Cader, Sam Fulton, Max Durkin) In the under 18 Senior Team Kata, Harlow retained their 1st place from last year (Emily Clements, Kieron Dyer, Marcus Krencius)

Individual kata gold medallists were; Mahveen Noor, Jayni Lee, Ariana Biswas, Max Durkin and Annie Marano.

Individual kumite gold medallists were; Isabella Ajibade, Kailani Hoole-Jackson, Madalina Tabac, Rishika Biswas, Isabelle Colledge, Marcus Krencius, Emily Clements, Darren Trutt and Annie Marano, who beat team mate Sara Lopes in the final.

What was especially pleasing was there were 3 events where Harlow took 1st, 2nd and 3rd, and from our Hare Street club, which only opened in March of this year, Lilly Williams earned the very first bronze medal for that dojo.

Club Instructor Erik Thorpe said “ 2024 has been a great year for the club, with new members joining and absolutely adding to the great camaraderie, spirit and standard that we have spent decades building. We have a fantastic team of instructors , who not only give up their time to teach others, they are also fantastic role models for our younger students. I like to think that we are one big team, instructors, students and parents, all building something very special for our club”

The club train in Harlow Leisurezone on Tuesday and Friday evenings, and Hare Street School on Wednesday evenings.

For more information search for us on Google, visit the Shotokan Karate England website or email [email protected]