East Devon Karate Club are world beaters
Honiton-based, “Say Yes To Life” Karate club came Runners-up in the medal table at the annual Seiwakai Open International Karate tournament in London on Sunday at the club’s very first competitive appearance.
Say Yes To Life teaches traditional Goju-Ryu Karate (as seen in the original Karate Kid movie with ‘Mr Miyagi’ and ‘Daniel Son’). Sport karate is only occasionally taught which makes the team’s success at the tournament even more noteworthy.
In total, the club entered 26 competitors in 43 events to represent England against countries such as Holland, Hungary, Poland, Italy, Portugal, Iceland, Greece, France, Japan, Romania and other British teams.
Their medal tally was:
1 Gold – Imogen Blackmore: Under 8s Kata: Boys & Girls Novice division
5 silver
8 Bronze
29 Competitor medals (outside of top 3)
SYTL was established in 2016 by Black-Belt Sensei Paul Batters and his partner Laura Gale with Only 4 students. Two years later the club has grown to nearly 200 attendances per week.
What makes this achievement so special is the gargantuan effort from the students, parents and supporters who managed to raise over £3000 in just 5 months in order to get the team to the tournament in the first place.
The ‘SYTL Family’ held bag packing days at Tesco in Honiton, door to door fundraising, local health awareness days and also a sponsored ‘Face your Fears’ summer challenge where each student was tasked to do something that scared them and learn that if they can face their fears and come out the other side, then they can do anything.
Paul said: “The magical thing about SYTL is the fact that we are one big family who support and look after each other no matter what, that includes the parents, supporters and friends.
Everyone is welcome at our classes, regardless of age, ability, physical or mental challenges. We never ask anyone to do anything they can’t do, but we will encourage you to discover and develop the things that you CAN. I feel very blessed to have such an amazing group and my late teacher, Shihan Leo Lipinski would’ve been extremely proud.”
Huge thanks must go to Oxford Karate Academy who put on 2 hours of world class training the day before the tournament, ‘Our Lady of Lourdes’ Church in Uxbridge who provided accommodation for the night in their church hall, Sensei Paul’s Sister, Brother in law, Mother and Nephew who provided food, entertainment and extra funds for the evening team Building, The Men & Women from Honiton Lions and Otter Garden Centre generously contributed to make sure the team turned up looking the part by sponsoring the Squad jackets and of course, the tournament organisers for inviting us to compete.
SYTL Karate now run 12 classes per week for all abilities and ages 4-104! With beginners classes in both Honiton and Ottery St. Mary LED Leisure Centres, where they have opened a brand new dojo at The King’s School. To book your FREE beginners taster class you can get in touch via their facebook page: “SYTL karate – Say Yes To Life” or by calling 01395 239143. Alternatively email: sytlenquiries@hotmail.com
