Back: Pat Seaman; front, from left: Sophia Saxby, Faith McMorran, Finn Seaman, Soni Dauti, Kiri Dauti (photo: Denise Hardy).

Karate kids notch up 11 trophies

Members of the Hastings branch of Canton Martial Arts Karate Club were once more victorious at the weekend when they won a record 11 trophies between them at the NAS (National All Styles) UK  Martial Arts Tournament held in Slough  on Saturday 15 February, writes Chris Cormack.

Alfie Demain (photo: Denise Hardy).

Some of the students, two of whom are only six years old, have only been studying
karate for a short period, and for some this was their first ever competition.

The club’s dojo, which is based in the Summerields Leisure Centre in Bohemia
Road, runs classes twice a week on Mondays and Fridays for ‘Little Samurais’, aged five years and over, juniors, up to 14 years, and adults of all ages.

Sensei Mike ‘Spud’ Hardy, who runs the dojo with his wife, Sensei Denise ‘D’
Hardy, said: “We are so  proud of the amazing achievements made by our students at this competition, especially given the short period of time they have been
studying Karate.

“The competition was attended by martial artists from all over southern England and beyond, and the standard was very high. We are very confident that more of our students will go on to achieve even greater successes in coming tournaments.”

Canton Martial Arts, which has branch dojos elsewhere in Sussex and Kent,
won an impressive tally of 32 trophies between them.

The club is overseen by founder and owner, world champion Kigen Richard
Canton, who himself won six trophies at the weekend event, including five first places. Canton is said to be the hot favourite to win the NAS ‘Champion of Champions’ trophy once again this year.

Student/Tournament results:

Patrick Seaman: 1st in continuous sparring (male novice 10th-6th Kyu category); 1st in points sparring, same category and 2nd in Kata forms, same category.

Finn Seaman: 1st in points sparring 8-9 years (10th-6th Kyu).

Alfie Demain: 1st in points sparring (12-13 years, 5th Kyu to Black Belt) and 3rd in continuous sparring  (12-14 years).

Kiri Dauti: 1st in  Kata forms, 8-9 years (10th-6th Kyu) and 2nd in points sparring, 8-9 years (10th-6th Kyu).

Soni Dauti: 1st in points sparring (7 years and under).

Faith McMorran: (aged 6) 3^rd in Kata forms, 7 years and under.

Special mention also goes to Sophia Saxby who came fourth in Kata forms, just losing out to some very experienced black belts.

New students of all ages are welcome. If you are interested, contact Canton Martial Arts Black Belt Academy on  01323 419799 to book two free trial classes, or call Sensei Mike Hardy on 07799 493393. More details on the website.

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