A small but mighty Squad of Red Tigers recently attended the Manchester Youth Open on Sunday 26th November at the George Carnell Centre in Urmston.

We are so proud to say that were absolutely fantastic. All tried represented our Club to the very best of their ability and we were proud of both their performances and their conduct on the day. Exceptional sportsmanship by all.

Well done to the following Red Tigers who took part:

Arthur Purdy, Izzy Baron, Isaac Whittaker, Aymeric & Amalys De Bezenac Messer, Millie Porter, Milly Dobbs, Emily & Daniel Chidgey and Loui D’Attorre.

Kata Coach Mike Baron Sensei had the following to say:

“What an excellent performance from all our athletes who competed at the Manchester Youth Open today. Everyone carried themselves with such professionalism, when they won or when they lost out, backing each other, warming up with each other, congratulating each other.

We walked in and Gary Pratley Sensei and myself said we need to get them warming up, little did we know Izzy had already got them all together and had them started, such a great squad spirit.

RESULTS

Emily Chidgey - This little 6yr old athlete has only been training 5 months and stepped on to the mat for the first time today. She won two round and lost out to the winner in the quarter finals.

Amalys De Bezenac Messer - 8yrs and what an excellent competitor, follows the seniors with sharp karate and with such a mean face. Amalys won bronze in pairs kata and got through to the quarters in her individual kata. Walked off still smiling, a big future ahead.

Daniel Chidgey - 9yrs old and a little star in the making. Daniel entered kata and kumite today both for the first time. Kata he stormed through the rounds to the final and won silver. Kumite, Daniel went in to his first round with an experienced fighter and it was an eye opener. I know Daniel will learn from it and move forward.

Milly Porter - 10yrs old she is one of our up and coming stars in the squad. Consistently strong in pairs kata and individual kata. Milly with Milly Dobbs got through to quarter finals in pairs kata but stormed her way through individual kata to win herself a silver medal.

Aymeric De Bezenac Messer - 10yrs old, Aymeric is determined to improve and takes on board what’s he’s told and changes it. Today he won a bronze in pairs kata with Amalys and also a silver in individual kata. Top performance from a great guy.

Milly Dobbs - 11 yrs old, Milly is quite new to RT and once she met the senior squad members she knew she wanted to compete. Millys first external comp today and got through to quarter final in pairs kata & individual kata. She took all the frustration through to kumite and earned herself a silver medal.

Arthur Purdy - Arthur is 11yrs old and is so sharp in his kata and this is something you can’t teach. With his excellent attitude and commitment he is a perfect squad member. Today didn’t go his way but I know we will work on that. Thank you Arthur.

Isaac Whittaker - 12yrs old, Isaac is a great member of the squad and is in such a tough category. Today he put in a top performance and went out to the winner. Sometimes this is the way it goes at comps and we just need to roll with the draws. Well done Isaac.

Loui D’Attorre - 14yrs old, Loui competed in both kata and kumite today and dug deep in both, despite not being well this week. Kata, Loui lost to a good competitor and in kumite he put up an excellent fight but lost out. Loui is one of our old time squad members and knows how to bounce back.

Izzy Baron - Izzy is prepping for her trip to Italy and her kata today was on point, sharp, powerful, aggressive, everything you want to see in a shotokan kata. Izzy went out to the winner.

This squads performance today is something we are all proud of, they take the knocks and move forward, win medals with dignity what ever the colour. Backed and encouraged by their parents to be the best they can be”.

Kata and Kumite Squads are finished now for 2023.

Classes re-open in 2024 and we are looking for more students of all ages and grades to join our teams.

Training takes place every Monday - 1 week Kata, the following week kumite at Thornleigh Salesian College, Sharples Park, Bolton. BL1 6PQ.

Mike Sensei, Grace Sensei and Gary sensei will be returning to lead the Kata Squad in 2024 with Molly Austin-Hogsden taking over the Kumite Squad.

It’s going to be another great year!