Shikata Shotokan Karate team arrived at the Velodrome early in the morning on Saturday along with over 500 other competitors. The Championships opened with a procession onto the arena of all the country's with their respective flags there were competitors from Australia, South Africa, India, Russia, Switzerland, Belgium to name just a few and of course from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and all over England. After our team had been led onto the arena by the Union-Jack they went on to warm up and find their respective areas for the start of the competition the team were in high spirits with just a few nerves. The arena had 8 areas and began on Saturday with the Kata events. The individual Kata was split into age categories ranging from 8-9yrs to veterans. First to represent the S.S.K. was Rebecca, Elizabeth and Katherine in the 10-11 female Kata the girls performed strongly with Katherine getting through to the 2nd round. Meredith and Lucy went on in the 12-13 female Kata and again exacted strong Kata with excellent form both going through to the 2nd round, Lucy then came up against the overall winner, Louis put on a fine performance in the male 10-11yrs Kata as did Brendan in the male 12-13 yrs Kata and Kieran got through to the finals in the 8-9 male Kata and was 0.1 point short of the bronze. Darryl was last up for the S.S.K. performing a strong Kata in the 35-44 yrs male Kata. Jordan unfortunately had injured his finger and was unable to compete but he came along and supported the team on both days which was appreciated, Saturday finished and everybody was pleased with there performance.

Sunday, Day 2 of the competition another early start for the competitors who were raring to go, with just a few nerves, the S.S.K. team met up outside the velodrome then entered the arena warming up area together to await the start of the kumite events. The day started with team kumite so our team had a lot of waiting around to do, just before lunchtime Rebecca put up a good fight in the 10-11 female kumite followed by louis in the 10-11 male kumite. There was quite a long wait before Kieran took part in the 8-9 Ippon kumite, he followed Sensei Grice's instruction well and had good form and attitude which won him the gold medal so the S.S.K. now has a world champion in their midst. Thomas later took part in the 14-15 male kumite this was a large group and Thomas got through to the 2nd round, lucy was last to take part at gone 6 O'clock and even after such a long day she put on a sterling performance lasting the whole time against a very strong opponent. Overall the world championships was a brilliant experience the standard of the competition in both kata and kumite was extremely high and we are really proud of the S.S.K. team who performed admirably on both days and showed good support for one another. Sensei D Grice, I would just like to thank L Grice for all her hard work on organizing all the students on both days (thanks)

The competition Started of with the Kata event up to the semifinals then a short break. After the break it then went on to the Kumite event up to the semifinals then a short break. After the break All the parents seated around the area for the finals of the Kata and the Kumite all egging there children on to win I think some times the parents wanted to take part. Brilliant competition and all the children were fantastic Sensei D Grice was very happy with the competition. All the children were very well behaved. there school should be prowed of them. And a very big thanks to the referee and the time keepers for all there hard work on the day.Also Thanks to Don and Zoe Sensei D Grice.