Leeds Shotokan Karate Club

ESKA European Shotokan Karate Championship News: 24th-26th November 2017

Leeds Shotokan Karate Club is proud to announce that Sensei Ryan Tucker, Ethan Armstrong, Luciano Zanuni and Jade Stapleton-Smith all had another golden weekend of results with the KUGB England Squad at the international 3-day event: ESKA European Shotokan Karate Championships 2017 in Matosinhos in Portugal.

All four of our Leeds Shotokan members all contributed by medalling and helping KUGB England squad to second in the overall medals table with 5 Golds, 6 Silver and 4 Bronze.

On the first day Jade Stapleton-Smith fought in the Cadet Men Individual Kumite (16-17 Years Category) it was his first time in the European competition and hoping to continue his success from the recent success in the world championships. This was Jade’s first time-fighting in this category and although he didn’t make it onto the podium he put in an excellent performance which saw him selected to fight in the 3 man Cadet Team. Jade and his teammates performed superbly to claim the  Gold medal in the 3 man team event, beating the host nation Portugal in final.  

On the second day of the competition, Luciano Zanuni fought in the Youth Men Individual Kumite (14-15 Years Category). This was his second time in this competition and after the gold success at the recent world championship, he again excelled to the reach the semi-finals. After an incredibly tense come from behind victory over a Portuguese competitor, Luciano came up against a Russian opponent in the final. The final was a competitive match with Luciano giving everything he had but he had to settle for a hard-earned silver medal on this occasion.

Also on the second day, it was Ethan Armstrong turn to compete in the (18-20 Years Category) Junior Men’s Individual Kumite and Three-Man Team Kumite event. Ethan Armstrong put in a sterling performance in the individual event and reached the finals, Ethan dominated the final against a very sharp Russian opponent, only to be disqualified for excessive contact following a fantastic head kick which could have easily won him the title. Ethan Armstrong also played a vital part in the team event scoring several ippons (a fight-ending blow) en route to the finals to be only beaten by an equally strong Russian team to take the Silver medal.

On the final day of the competition, it was the seniors and the turn of our Sensei Ryan Tucker to compete in the Senior Individual Kumite. Sensei Ryan Tucker put in a strong performance to beat tough competitors from Belgium, Czech Republic, Italy and Germany to reach the Semi-Final only to be beaten by the current World Champion, and England teammate Joe Rawcliffe to take the Bronze medal. As well as this both Sensei Ryan and Ethan were part of the 5 men Senior team. England arrived in Portugal as defending champions, this coupled with their recent World Championship victory meant that they were the team all others wanted to beat.

After overcoming a very strong Russian team in a match where both sides held the lead, England was matched up against Belgium in the final. England dominated, taking the title with 3 victories to the Belgians none, with Ethan scoring the decisive ippon in the 4th match. This result means the KUGB England Senior Men have won the last 3 international events in a row.

The results as followed:

Senior Men’s Team Kumite (5 Man) - Sensei Ryan Tucker / Ethan Armstrong – Gold

Cadet Men's Team Kumite - Jade Stapleton-Smith – Gold

Junior Team Kumite (3 Man) - Ethan Armstrong - Silver

Junior Individual Kumite - Ethan Armstrong – Silver

Youth Individual Kumite - Luciano Zanuni – Silver

Senior Individual Kumite - Sensei Ryan Tucker – Bronze

KUGB Northern Region Championships: 21st October 2017

Another great day of results for the Leeds Shotokan Karate Club members who represented their club at the competition known as the KUGB Northern Region Championships event at the Sunderland Uni Cityspace. Leeds Shotokan members exceed all expectations and shown great determination and positive attitude to bring in an impressive medal haul of 9 including 6 Golds, 1 Silvers, and 1 Bronzes medal. 

The results as followed:

Male Team Kumite - Gold - 1st Place - Leeds Shotokan - A - Ethan Armstrong, Remigijus Jurgilaitis & James Humphries

Remigijus Jurgilaitis - Gold - 1st Place - Senior Male Kumite

Ethan Armstrong - Gold - 1st Place - Junior Male 18 - 20 Years Individual Kumite 

Tushan Joseph - Gold - 1st Place - Junior Male 18 - 20 Years Individual Kumite 

Luciano Zanuni  - Gold - 1st Place - Boys Over 5'5" Kumite

Miranda Ngonji - Gold - 1st Place - Girls 12-15 Years Kumite 6th Kyu & Above - Under 5'3" 

James Humphries - Silver - 2nd Place - Junior Male 18 - 20 Years Individual Kumite 

Liberty Vernon - Bronze - 3rd Place - Girls Over 5'3" Kumite

Luca Zanuni  - Bronze- 4th Place - Kata U16 Novice to 4th Kyu

Sensei Tucker and Sensei Cuddy would like give a big thank to everyone who competed and supported because you have all done the club proud of your achievements and performances. 

Yorkshire Evening Post - WSKA Championships, Italy:  2nd October 2017

Leeds Shotokan Karate Club write up in the Yorkshire Evening Post online about our members competing for the KUGB (Karate Union of Great Britain) England Squad and their recent success for the World Shotokan Karate Association Championships 2017 in Treviso, Italy.

Read more at: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-shotokan-karate-club-enjoy-golden-time-in-italy-1-8783778