Combat Academy Junior Fighters at The British Championships
Eighteen members of Hereford's Combat Academy travelled to Worcester to compete in the British Open Ju-Jutsu Kumite championships and returned with 8 British Champions, 4 silver and 3 bronze medallists.
Ju-Jutsu Kumite is a relatively new martial art that combines the punching and kicking of Karate, with the throwing techniques from Judo and the grappling skills of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Olympic Wrestling.
A two time British champion in the white – green belt category Olly Bohn competed in the blue – black belt category. Despite only being a yellow belt, coach Dave Coles felt he was ready to rise to the challenge of the harder category. Olly gave an outstanding performance scoring with head kicks, throws and some very competent ground-fighting en-route to the Gold Medal and his third British Title.
Luciano Celozzi retained his national title in the under 40kg category. Luciano showed good skills in all of the fighting ranges defeating 4 opponents to take the Gold Medal.
Becky Hayes was looking to improve on the silver medal she had taken in last years event. Following convincing wins in the early rounds Becky defeated club-mate Katrina Walton in the final, this was also an outstanding result for Katrina who was taking part in her first British championships.
Ross Hutchinson had some of the toughest fights of the day in the boys under 45kg category. Following a split judges decision win in his first fight, Ross defeated two more opponents to take the gold medal and British title.
Competing in her first major championships Sarah Jones produced an amazing performance defeating four opponents to take the gold medal in the girls under 30kg category. Although predominantly a striker, Sarah showed some good groundfighting skills en-route to the title.
Jacob Spink and Elliott Volpe both defeated three opponents before meeting in the final of the under 30kg category. After a close fight Jacob took a decision win over his club-mate.
Dan Hayes had some tough fights, en-route to a silver medal in the under 50kg open grade category. Although he received a warning for an illegal blow early in his first fight, Dan maintained his composure to secure the win against a higher graded opponent. Dan securred a further two wins before being narrowly defeated in the final.
Caitlin Wheadon and Lisa Jones competed in the girls under 25kg category. Following a couple of wins each the pair unfortunately were drawn against eachother in the fight for the Bronze medal. In club sparring Lisa is generally the dominant fighter, however it was Caitlin who put in an outstanding performance to snatch the bronze medal from her club-mate.
Jack Wheadon-Hill had some tough fights in the boys under 25kg category. Despite being one of the smallest competitors in the division, Jack put in a determined performance to take a hard earned bronze medal.
Barnaby Flynn was the lowest graded player in the boys under 60kg category, despite this Barnaby had some very good fights, displaying some good Judo style throwing skills to pick up the bronze medal.
The 2005 British bronze medallist, assistant coach at the Combat Academy, Emma Baker competed in the girls intermediate category. Emma dominated the category, beating all three of her opponents to the punch and controlling the fights when they went into the grappling ranges to secure the British title.
Bram Roberts was looking to retain his title in the senior under 90kg category. Bram displayed some very good ground-fighting skills en-route to the final including a convincing win over a black belt. In the final Bram lost the decision after the fight had gone the distance.
Chris Konieczny defeated some tough opponents en-rout to the final of the senior under 95kg category. In the final Chris submitted a member of the British Ju Jutsu squad with a triangle strangle, to secure the gold medal and British title.
British Champions
Luciano Celozzi
Becky Hayes
Ross Hutchinson
Chris Konieczny
Sarah Jones
Olly Bohn
Jacob Spink
Emma Baker
Silver Medallists
Elliott Volpe
Katrina Walton
Bram Roberts
Dan Hayes
Bronze Medallists
Caitlin Wheadon
Jack Wheadon-Hill
Barnaby Flynn
4th Place
Lisa Jones
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