The “TOKEI” Kyokushin Cup in London was an incredible experience for our team at HAITO Karate Peterborough! We went into the tournament with focus and determination, and I’m so incredibly proud of all the athletes who competed. Each one of them showcased their skill, spirit, and resilience throughout the day. It was a day filled with fantastic wins, hard-fought battles, and invaluable lessons learned. 💪 We truly made our mark at this event!
Our Standout Performances – Victories and Valour
Our team represented HAITO Karate Peterborough across a wide range of age and weight categories, and we achieved some truly impressive results that we’re excited to share! ✨
Jacob Barker: A Hard-Fought Bronze 🥉
Young Jacob Barker, competing in the boys 6-7 years old category, showed amazing toughness and spirit. Despite a challenging first round where he faced repeated punches to the face, and unfortunately the judges didn’t intervene, Jacob demonstrated incredible resilience and determination to secure a well-deserved bronze medal. He bounced back in his second fight, showcasing his skill with a fantastic wazari (head level kick) victory, proving his potential and grit. 🦵
Dominika Dubiel: A Golden Victory 🥇
Dominika Dubiel, competing in the 10-12 year old girls -45kg category, had an outstanding performance, taking home the gold medal! She displayed exceptional skill, winning her first fight with a decisive wazari (head level kick). She advanced to the final and secured victory in her second match due to her opponent receiving penalties for illegal head punches. Dominika’s performance was a perfect demonstration of her technical prowess and strategic fighting style. 🧠 We are incredibly proud of her!
Adam Pilarski: A Well-Earned Silver 🥈
Adam Pilarski, competing in the 10-12 year old boys +45kg category, put in a powerful and determined performance, earning a well-deserved silver medal. Adam secured a victory in his first fight with a strong wazari head kick, and fought valiantly in his second match against a slightly more experienced opponent. 💥 His effort and skill were truly commendable.
Ilze Pulina: A Promising Debut with Silver 🥈
Ilze Pulina, making her debut in her first ever tournament appearance, secured a brilliant silver medal in the adult women -60kg category. Facing a more seasoned and experienced competitor, Ilze showed incredible determination, skill, and composure, demonstrating a bright future in the sport. 🌟 This was an amazing achievement for her, and we’re excited to see her progress!
Mantas Zamba: A Strong Second Place in the +80kg Category 🥈
Our close friend and training partner, Senpai Mantas Zamba from Northampton Kyokushin Karate (BST Academy), also achieved a fantastic result, securing 2nd place in the absolutely +80kg weight category. We were incredibly proud to witness his hard work and dedication rewarded. His performance not only highlighted his talent but also reinforced the strong bonds and camaraderie within the Kyokushin community. 🙌 We’re always happy to see our friends succeed!
Valuable Lessons Learned – Growth Through Challenges
While not everyone on our team came home with a trophy this time, this tournament was a valuable learning experience for all of us. Rebeka Pulina, Calvin Schelts, Simas Jucevicius, Andy Grey, and Bartosz Dubiel all fought with incredible heart and determination. Each of them gained important experience that will be instrumental in their future training and competitions. It was a long and demanding day, with the tournament lasting over 10 hours, but each one of our fighters gave it their all and represented our dojo with pride. 💯 Every challenge provides a path for growth!
Gratitude to Our Incredible Supporters
We want to express our sincere and deepest gratitude to all our families, friends, and supporters. Your encouragement and unwavering support mean the world to us! ❤️ It truly makes a difference knowing we have such an amazing community behind us. We also extend a huge thank you to the parents, who volunteered their time and provided invaluable help and support to all our athletes throughout the tournament. 🙏 We could not have done it without you!
Looking Forward – The Future is Bright
The “TOKEI” Kyokushin Cup was a fantastic experience for us to showcase our skills, determination, and teamwork as a cohesive unit. We’re incredibly proud of our wins and are committed to using the challenges we faced to further fuel our growth and improvement. We are dedicated to continuing our rigorous training, and we’re all looking forward to future successes on the mat. This tournament wasn’t just about the medals; it was about the lessons we learned, the strength we gained, and the unbreakable martial arts spirit that unites us all. We are so proud of the HAITO Karate Peterborough family, and we know the future is bright and full of potential! ✨🥳 We are excited for what’s to come!