Karate 10th Sept 2017

A new experience for us today! Two of our grandchildren go to karate every week and were this weekend in a tournament in Scotland. The KKO (Kyokushin Karate Organisation) Open Karate Championship was to be held in Motherwell  - on the site of what used to be the Ravenscraig Steelworks. The plant closed in 1992 and the cooling towers and gas-holders were demolished in 1996, before a world-class sports centre was built and opened to the public in 2010.

The Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility was built to cater for everyone, whatever their level. The sports halls, gym, dance studios,indoor athletics and pitch facilities and outdoor pitches are world-renowned.

There is also a jogging track that goes around the whole building and connects with cycling and jogging paths throughout Ravenscraig. Hundreds of athletes trained here before the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The karate championship came here for the first time last year but we were told that the number of competitors  - and spectators - was much higher this year.
Once the opening ceremony was completed a busy time began. There were four mats set out across the floor for the competitors to use and after a short while they were all in use.

There were a huge number of classes that children and adults could be entered into for the competition and a range of national and international judges to oversee each class. Competitors all wear a gi - a lightweight, two-piece, usually white garment consisting of loose-fitting pants and a wrap-around jacket with cloth belt. All competitors are also barefoot.

The competitors in each class were lined up at the edge of their mat and then presented their "kata" to the judges one at a time. Kata is a Japanese word describing patterns of movements - either solo or in pairs. A kata is a specified series of a variety of moves, with stepping and turning, while attempting to maintain perfect form. It is intended as a display of transition and flow from one posture and movement to another. There are various kata, each with many variations.

Oliver and Faye were in the youngest age-group (under 7's) and were among the first to compete.

They both did really well to get through the first round and into the final, with Faye attaining her highest ever score! Well done both.
Coaches for the clubs deserve a mention here too, they are with their teams all day, giving support and encouragement where needed and their dedication is obvious.
It was a really busy day with people going in all directions as they moved to and from the mats (or tatami!) but there was also great support from spectators - applauding individual performances and medal presentations.

The World Championships are in Scotland next year too!