Last weekend (26 June) Maysfield L.C. in Belfast played host to the highly competitive North of Ireland Open. Often used a bench mark for future international stars, the kids from Carnalea Karate Club once again proved their worth. The competition is known to be one of the most difficult to win as over 600 competitors from all of the home nations annually participate. Pick of the bunch from the Carnalea Karate Club was Glen Bailie who once again demonstrated his class by collecting the silver medal in the Boys under 13 category. His brother Neil, moved up an age group in the kata section and came in a very respectable fifth.
Kurtis Kane, a previous All Ireland Champion collected another silver in the Boys under 13, +5ft categ ory. There were also spirited performances from Ned Stewart, Thomas Watson, Charlotte and Christopher Munro, Nial Scott and Levi Kane. Christopher Lindsay, who is training hard to reach international level landed a very tough first round fight and had to be content with second best this time. For many of these children it was their first big competition outside of club training.
Coach David Brashaw was delighted with the children’s efforts and hopes that many of them will make the selections for the Northern Ireland junior team in the next few months. The team will be competing at internationals across the UK and Ireland. The club as always will be running over the summer months, both at Bangor Leisure Centre and Epworth Hall. If your kids are bored and want to join the fun of Carnalea Karate Club, please contact David on 07760 337578.