Term Has Ended!

The final term of the academic year 2009-10 has ended on 18th June, Friday. With this, official training sessions have also ended; however due to a number of us staying in Canterbury throughout the summer holiday, we have decided to keep training and anyone is welcome to join us. The trainings will probably take place twice a week. The times and venues of the training sessions will be announced soon, so please keep following our posts!

Another Success Came From the Open Martial Arts Competition

This past Sunday, 13th June, has seen a very good open martial arts competition at the not-so-far-away Body & Mind Leisure Centre in Canterbury. The competition was held by the Martial Arts All Style International Federation (M.A.A.S.I.F.). It catered for many competitors from all ages and styles such as Karate, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, Tang So Do, Freestyle, Kickboxing, Low Kick Fighting, San-DA, and MMA to name a few; and there were over 40 categories, a few of them being Hard Style Forms - Kata, Soft Style Forms - Chinese, Weapons Forms/Kata, Points Fighting, Continuous Fighting - with leg kicks, and Amateur MMA.

The University of Kent Karate Club has sent its "Mini Squad" formed from Mohammad Reza, Deniz Kayimbasioglu and Fatma Salahioglu, who had all previously been very successful at the Art of Movement Kata Competition.

Deniz and Fatma competed in the novice kata category, and Fatma obtained a second place whereas Deniz managed to get a first place, each coming back home with trophies. In the same category for seniors, Mohammad obtained a stunning first place that came with a great trophy.

Mohammad also competed in the Points Fighting category against people from different styles of martial arts. This change did not affect him and he made his way to a first place by putting up amazing fights, obtaining another great trophy for his achievement.

Therefore, the University's "Mini Squad" returned home with three golds and a silver!

Great Success at London International Karate Championships

Mohammad Reza (third one from the left with a blue belt) celebrating the medal with his Iranian friends in Chelsea team.

Mohammad Reza, a PhD student in Medical Image Computing Group at the University of Kent, won two bronze medals in London International Karate Championships last month on 30th May. He has been the team captain in the University of Kent Karate Club since 2008 and has brought many shiny medals back, such as a gold medal at British University and Colleges Championship (BUCS) and a bronze medal in European Championships.

This time was no different; he has competed very well in two categories against his opponents. In category Senior's -75 kg Individual Kumite, he overcame four opponents to get through the semi-final. In the semi-final he had a beautiful fight against his friend from Iran (Esfandiyari, former national team member of Iran).

“He was an amazing fighter, so fast!” said Mohammad. In the end, Esfandiyari got the gold and Mohammad brought back the bronze medal in the category.

In Team Kumite, he competed in three rounds with the Iranian Team. In the third round they drew against Manchester but due to the score difference they lost and Mohammad's team came 3^rd, bringing back another bronze medal.

Mohammad has been training hard for the past few years to achieve his ultimate goal: competing in World Championship. He is optimistic about going to one of the World Championships soon.

Mohammad says he is very thankful to his instructors Mark Caddy (karate) and Chris Payne (fitness and strength). “Chris has made me much stronger than what I was during the past few weeks. I hope this strength and fitness program continues as it is. I should thank Mel for putting this great program for scholars,” said Mohammad. He also acknowledges the help of the sports scholarship that he was awarded by the University of Kent Sports Centre.

Open Martial Arts Competition: 13th June, Canterbury

M.A.A.S.I.F SUMMER OPEN COMPETITION

Date:	Sunday, 13 June 2010
Time:	10:00 - 18:00
Location:	BODY & MIND LEISURE CENTRE
Town/City:	Canterbury, United Kingdom

M.A.A.S.I.F SUMMER OPEN event is open to any level and any age of competitor and will cater for many different styles of Martial Arts.

We are looking for a great turn out with Competitors and spectators coming from the world of Karate, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, Tang So Do, Freestyle, Kickboxing, Low Kick Fighting, San-DA, and MMA to name a few.

We have over 40 Catorgories for all types of levels and ages from kids, women, under 2 years training etc..

BELOW IS LIST OF CATOGORIES

* Hard Style Forms - Kata
* Soft Style Forms - Chinese
* Weapons Forms/Kata
* Points Fighting
* Continuous Fighting - with leg kicks. (Not full contact)
* Amateur MMA

If you feel your school or yourself maybe interested in this event? Please contact us on here or by the email on fightinglions_uk@yahoo.co.uk or by telephone on 07702011970.

Details of the event can be found here:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=123012434399535&ref=ts