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This
years Severn Challenge was held in Llangollen, Wales on the
weekend of the 27th to the 30th October. Sensei Ken Fitzpatrick
of Mullingar as coach had selected the teams and Individuals
earlier in the month and all of the training and preparation was
now over. On Friday 27th the Irish contingetnt of 25, including
the teams, coaches, referees and supporters, travelled to Holyhead
on the ferry and were met by representatives of the Welsh
organisation and taken by minibus to Llangollen to a youth Hostel
which was to be our home for the next few days.
On Saturday morning the various teams went their separate ways
for the day. Team Ireland, looking resplendent in their offical
tops, chose to go to nearby Wrexham for some lunch and shopping.
Early evening saw the team return to the hostel for dinner. The
high spirits of the previous night was not quite so evident in
all teams - possibly due to a combination of fatigue and nerves.
Team Ireland opted for a relatively early night.
Sunday morning arrived and we were transported to the venue
after breakfast. The four teams wasted no time in decorating the
hall with flags. Shihan Alex Kerrigan, the IFK Chief Knockdown
Referee, and Sensei Ray Bond, The IFK Chief Clicker Referee were
on hand to ensure that the day ran smoothly. Each country had
representatives on the refereeing team - for Ireland this was
Senpai Nigel Prendergast of Letterfrack Dojo and Sensei Shane
Lalor of Killester Dojo.
First up was the Junior individual matches. The fighting was fast
and furious. Last time out we had taken one trophy home. By the
semi finals we still had four fighters in contention. In the end
we took the following placings: Ian Heanue 2nd Place
in the Boys Under 160cm category, Aisling Cusack 2nd Place Girls Under 160cm
category, Meghan Daly 3rd Place in the Girls Over 160cm category and Laura
Coyne 3rd Place Girls Under 160cm
category.
Next up was the Junior team competition. There is a nine person
team - five boys and four girls. Each team starts with their
tallest Boy, then tallest girl, then next tallest boy and so on
through the team. In the end England came first, a much improved
Switzerland second, Host Nation Wales third and Ireland fourth.
So it was the same for us as least year but we were very much an
improved team. Sensei Andrew Turner, the England Coach and Sensei
Dave Lund Regan, the Welsh Coach both commented on how much
improved we were. Those comments were echoed by Sensei Ray Bond
who said he saw a vast improvement over last years performance.
This was very much in evidence when looking at the scores - many
of the fights were decided by a very narrow margin.
This year for the first time some cadets were fighting under
Kyokushin rules. There are modified knockdown rules whcih allow
full contact but are safer for cadets (aged sixteen to under
eighteen). There was two fights in this category between England
and Wales with England winning both by decision.
Lastly was teh Cadets clicker and this year for the first time we
entered a team. Switzerland had no team in this event so it was
down to Ireland, England and Wales to fight it out. Cadets teams
have five members and at the end of an entertaining
afternoon England had won, with Wales second and Ireland third.
These fights were even closer than the juniors.
All
that was left was the presentations and then the Sayonara party
with a disco and barbecue. The next day a tired and weary team
returned home. Congratualtions to all who took part and to
the Welsh for orgainising such an incedible event.
Click here to see some
pictures.
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