In the forty years since the nation-wide Shukokai Karate Union was founded, it was the first time that karate students from the same club had captured all six male black belt titles; the junior cadet u’12, the senior cadet u’16 and the senior adult 17yrs & over.
With categories being contested in two different styles of karate, 23 year old 3rd degree black belt Adam Gee set the ball rolling, when, for an unprecedented seventh year, he showed his tremendous skill to successfully lift both the shukokai and shito ryu style senior titles. Next on the rostrum with double championship honours came 13yr old Ciaran Miller in the 13 16yrs black belt event and to print the final chapter in the championship record book 11yr old James Cape cruised to victory, again in both disciplines, in the u’12 black belt individual.
With six championship titles already in the bag, the up and coming junior section of the club’s ‘centre of excellence’ also made their mark. Brown belt Jake Magarry took gold in the junior cadet brown belt kata, as did blue belts Mathew Gunter in the adult 6-4kyu and Sam Canham in the junior cadet 6-4kyu.
Also contributing to a total of fifteen top three podium places were Oliver Wheatley - double silver - senior cadet black belt; Thomas Sanderson - silver - junior cadet black belt; George Gill - bronze - senior cadet black belt; David Fawell – bronze - adult brown belt and Robert Thompson – bronze - junior cadet brown belt;
At the victory celebration on their return from the championships, the centre’s annual achievement awards for 2008 were presented by the club’s principal, 8th degree black belt Mr. Ken Gee. For their championship winning achievements in all 2008 events the senior award went to 3rd degree black belt Adam Gee and the cadet u’16 award went to 14 year old Oliver Wheatley.
For details of classes at the Harrogate Karate Centre tel Ken Gee sensei on 01423-858474