Date: Sunday 22nd July 2007

Venue: OEL Dojo, Epping Sports Centre, Essex

On Sunday 22nd July 2007 OEL & Wanstead Ju Jitsu Clubs were given the honour of running the first ever Jikishin Ju Jitsu Association Junior Course and Championships. Sensei’s Lee Bywater, Tony Park & Alan Unwin, have been running club comps for quite a few years now but were up for the challenge of running a bigger event.

A few months previous to the big day Sensei’s Lee, Tony & Alan got together and sorted out the format of the day, working out what competitions were needed, the layout of the hall, medals, teachers, refreshments etc.

With everything organised we all met up at OEL’s Dojo on Saturday 21 st July at Epping Sports centre to get ready for the following day. We had 10 plus helpers laying mats, putting up flags, laying out chairs, putting up signs and getting everything ready. Not everything could be finished as the sports centre closed early so we all knew we would be up early the following day to finish of the last finishing touches. Tony & Lee then spent the rest of Saturday night checking all scribing forms making sure nobody was missed off.

Sunday arrived and Tony and Lee found themselves standing outside Epping sports Centre at 7.45 am waiting for the duty manager to open up. The final bits were finished off, the stock table, refreshments laid out.

Just after 9 am the first competitors arrived along with their family and friends. Due to a few students turning up a little late the line up was delayed for 10 mins just to give everyone a chance to sign in and confirm all competition details. With all students now on the mat spectators in their seats and all sensei’s lined up the 1st Jikishin Junior Course & Championships was about to start.

Just over 60 junior students were in attendance along with 15 adult students. The introduction of sensei’s then took place with the formal rei. Sensei’s in attendance were: Sensei Ricky Izod 5th Dan, Sensei Collin Humbles 4th Dan, Sensei John Middleton 4th Dan, Sensei Bob Green 4th Dan, Sensei Lee Bywater 3rd Dan, Sensei Alan Unwin 3rd Dan, Sensei Eddie Garvey 3rd Dan, Sensei Wendy Roser 3rd Dan, Sensei Steve Hobday 3rd Dan, Sensei Mick Morrison 3rd Dan, Sensei Jamie Taylor 3rd Dan, Sensei Tony Park 2nd Dan, Sensei William Murley 2nd Dan, Sensei Kevin Hutchins 2nd Dan, Sensei Carrie Bywater 1st Dan, Sensei Mike Margets 1st Dan, Sensei Ben Unwin 1st Dan.

With the formalities completed all junior students were split into their groups and senseis were told which mats they would be teaching on first. As always with all Jikishin events the sensei taught some great techniques. The final mat change was going to be a test of the sensei knowledge in junior games, every sensei had there own favourite games and everyone thoroughly enjoyed what they were doing. With the course now finished all students and sensei’s lined up for the final rei before a half hour break for lunch. The mat team then went into action getting the four fighting areas ready for the competitions.

With all the competition areas ready, all sensei’s and helpers (Belinda Taylor, John Oliver Fitch, Mark Bywater, Sarah Merriner, Sam Unwin, Josh Leeke, Simon Bostock, Alex Unwin Sharon Bozza & Sally Lacey.) were placed on their own competition mat. Random attacks were up first on Mats 2, 3 & 4 and the Kata comps were on Mat 1. All students that competed put in a lot of effort and should all be proud of themselves.

Once the competitions were completed, medal presentations took place. Sensei Brian Herbert 7th Dan presented the medals along with Sensei Ricky Izod 5th Dan & Sensei Colin Humbles 4th Dan.

Once the clearing up had been finished, everyone went up to the sports centre bar where a huge buffet was laid on for all junior competitors.

Sensei’s Lee Bywater, Tony Park & Alan Unwin would like to take this opportunity to thank firstly sensei Brian Herbert for asking us to run a this course on behalf of The Jikishin Ju Jitsu Association. We would also like to thank all sensei’s that bought along their students, all the sensei’s that taught, all the helpers, spectators and of course the junior students who attended.

We look forward to seeing you all and all other Jikishin members at the next Jikishin Junior course and Championships, which will be held on the 23rd September 2007 in Colchester and run by Sensei Colin Humbles.

RESULTS:

COMPETITIONS:

RANDOM ATTACKS:

- White Belt to Orange Belt:

--- Gold: Jonny Dawson -- OEL

--- Silver: Caroline Izod -- South Ockendon

--- Bronze: Steven Potts -- Billericay

- Green Belt to Blue Belt:

--- Gold: Michaela Slade -- OEL

--- Silver: Alex Bridger -- Corringham

--- Bronze: Abigail Slade -- OEL

- Purple Belt to Black Belt:

--- Gold: Scarlet Carney -- OEL

--- Silver: Redmond Carney -- OEL

--- Bronze: Alan Izod -- South Ockendon

GROUNDFIGHTING:

- Pool 1 -- Under 34 Kg:

--- Gold: Stewart Trithorn -- Corringham

--- Silver: Charlie Woolmer -- Billericay

--- Bronze: Kush Kumar -- Wanstead

- Pool 2 -- 35-42 Kg:

--- Gold: Emma Dickens -- Corringham

--- Silver: Tom Carter -- OEL

--- Bronze: James Revell -- OEL

- Pool 3 -- 43-50 Kg:

--- Gold: Lauren McCardy -- North Kent

--- Silver: Alex Brown -- OEL

--- Bronze: Harry McCourt -- OEL

- Pool 4 -- 51-60 Kg:

--- Gold: George Essl -- OEL

--- Silver: Alex Bridger -- Corringham

--- Bronze: Jonny Dawson -- OEL

- Pool 5 -- 61 Kg +:

--- Gold: Jake Lacey -- OEL

--- Silver: Ben Reeves -- OEL

--- Bronze: Sam Brown -- Billericay

KATA:

--- Gold: Scarlet Carney -- OEL

--- Silver: Ethan Taylor -- OEL

--- Bronze: Ben Reeves -- OEL

WEAPONS KATA:

--- Gold: Redmond Carney -- OEL

--- Silver: Ethan Taylor -- OEL

--- Bronze: Lauren McCardy -- North Kent

PAIRS DEMONSTRATION :

--- Gold: Nicole Knight Stevenson & Philip Knight Stevenson -- North Kent

--- Silver: Ben Reeves & Adam Reeves -- OEL

--- Bronze: Grace Harvy & Danielle Harvey -- Corringham

--- Bronze: Aiden Holmes & Oscar Potter -- OEL