Nov 01 Shi Kon Martial Arts Kung Fu Kids Inter-Schools Tournament 2011

With competitors representing a dozen schools across Medway, the 2011 Shi Kon Martial Arts “Kung Fu Kids” tournament was one of the most important children’s Martial Arts events of its kind to be staged in Medway.

The event was hosted by Riverside School, Rainham, and at one point in the day had events taking place in 3 sections of the school with parking for visitors filling the car park and spilling out to fill the playgrounds!

After registration the day started with a 1 hour training session enabling the competitors one final opportunity to polish up their Kung Fu moves before the tournament proper commenced.  Ages ranged from just 5 years up to 11 years old, all currently training at the various Shi Kon Kung Fu Kids after schools clubs in Medway.

Shi Kon Martial Arts is the only fully Sport England Club Mark accredited Kung Fu and Karate club in Medway. Clubmark is the official accreditation for sports club professionalism, quality and safety when working with children. With the support of Medway Council and the School Sports Partnerships, local primary and secondary schools have become increasingly aware of how important this quality standard is. Already almost 20 Medway Schools now offer the Shi Kon Martial Arts “Kung Fu Kids” programme.

With high numbers of competitors, the tournament was split into 2 arenas. Each competitor was required to perform 2 Martial Arts “forms” in front of an audience of parents and panel of judges.

Martial Arts forms (known in Japanese Martial Arts as “katas”) are a choreographed sequence of techniques that have to be performed in the correct order, to a required standard. The first form each child had to complete was a recognised form from the Shi Kon Kung Fu kids Curriculum. The second form – one they had devised themselves.

Jez Walters, Event Organiser for Shi Kon Martial Arts, said “This can be a very nerve-racking time for the children, having to perform in front of a large audience – on their own. Every one of them did remarkably well – with plenty of support and encouragement from the crowd! The standard was very high.”

A panel of 3 judges per arena took into account age, length of time training and Martial Arts grade when deliberating on the scores.

 “That was probably the hardest part of the day” continued Jez “with so many children really giving it their all, to try and decide on a winner was nearly impossible and took some debate with the judges. I said it on the day, and it is true – every child there was a winner!”

Trophies were awarded to

1st place for individual student – Ethan Roots

2nd Place for individual student – Jack Smith   

3rd Place for individual student – Chand Suchak

1st Place School team – Hoo St Werburgh

2nd place school team – Warren Wood Primary

3rd place School team  – Shi Kon Martial Arts School

Certificates of merit we also awarded to Dakota Douglas and Jamie Penn.

Jez expressed his sincere gratitude to all the parents who supported their children taking part in the tournament, the judges and officials, in particularly Jacob and his partner at Riverside Primary school who, it was reported, were amazing at getting everything perfect for the day, and last – but not least  of course – all the children who took part and worked so hard and did so well.

For more information about Shi Kon Martial Arts and a Kung Fu Kids programme near you, contact Jez Walters on 01634 581092 email info@shikon.com

Click here to find Kung Fu Kids Martial Art classes in your area

Gavin King

Gavin King is a Shiatsu practitioner, writer and Martial Arts instructor from Essex in the United Kingdom. He runs a full time Martial Arts centre in Hockley, Essex teaching Tai Chi and Kung Fu. You can contact him via Facebook or Twitter!

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