Karate club celebrates medal successes

LYMM karate club Gen’Dai Matial Arts have been celebrating recent medal success at regional and national competitions.
At the 49th North West Open Karate Championships in Leigh Gen’Dai A and B teams battled their way through the earlier rounds of the event. Following a league style competition in the kumite (freestyle fighting) Gen’Dai A, comprising David Lomas, Jack Lomas and Hannah Tarrant, finished third. Gen’Dai B made it through to what proved to be a tense and exciting final against a gritty Kirby team.
After demonstrating some true fighting spirit the Gen’Dai B team (Emma Benson, Ryan Rushton and Ethan Towey) were victorious taking the prestigious North West Open Shield by 2 wins to 1.
Other notable performances saw Jack Lomas receive a silver medal in the boys individual kumite (under 5’) and his older brother David Lomas win a bronze medal in the boys individual kumite (5’ to 5’ 6”).
In the Northern Open Classic International Karate Championship the Gen’Dai club entered a team into the boys under 14 division. On this occasion the Gen’Dai team consisted of Ethan Towey, David Lomas and Jack Lomas. Some impressive performances saw the team again progress all the way to the final. Despite giving it their all, the boys came away with silver medals after losing a closely fought contest to Kanzen Karate club from Dundee. Nevertheless, a great achievement for all involved especially given the very high standard of the competitors.
Dave Shipton, 5th Dan and chief instructor, said “I really enjoy watching my students develop confidence and improve their karate skills. The medals are the icing on the cake and for them to win against such quality opposition makes me so proud of them. The students deserve every bit of this success.”