JERSEY’S young martial artists returned from the IKKA Europe European Kenpo Karate Championships in Athens with an impressive haul of 35 medals and a trophy for the most medals relative to team size.
The ten-strong Jersey Kenpo Karate Association squad, whose youngest competitor was just eight, collected seven gold, 14 silver and 14 bronze medals across the four-day championships, held at the Peristeri Olympic Boxing Centre from 8 to 11 October.
Nine of the ten competitors reached the podium, an outstanding return for the self-funded club based at Oakfield Sports Stadium.
The team’s trophy came as a surprise, with the Jersey competitors having already left the venue when the award was announced.
It was collected on the club’s behalf by Andrea Albert, mother of competitor Tim Albert.
Tobias Puttick Barrett, nine, led the medal table with four golds in Creative Forms, Weapon Kata, Point Sparring and Team Sparring, alongside silver in Self Defence.
Eight-year-old Iason Milosev also enjoyed a successful championships, winning gold in Creative Forms and Self Defence, as well as silver in Point Sparring.
Alexander Austick, 11, added gold in Self Defence, silver in Team Sparring and bronze in Point Sparring.
Zack Moon (left), 10, demonstrated his consistency by winning a medal in all six of his events. He took silver in Individual Kenpo Forms and Team Sparring, and bronze in Self Defence, Creative Forms, Weapon Kata and Point Sparring.
Alice Wesolowski, 12, collected five medals, earning silver in Self Defence, Creative Forms, Weapon Kata and Point Sparring, plus bronze in Individual Kenpo Forms.
Noah Aubert, nine, won silver in Weapon Kata and Self Defence, alongside bronze in Individual Kenpo Forms, while eight-year-old James Wesolowski secured silver in Self Defence and bronze in Individual Kenpo Forms and Point Sparring.
Kata, one of five medals she won
Black belts Tim Albert and Adelin Puican, both 16, contributed seven medals between them.
Albert won silver in Team Sparring and bronze in Creative Forms, Weapon Kata and Point Sparring. Puican claimed silver in Team Sparring, as well as bronze in Light Continuous Sparring and Point Sparring.
Team Sparring featured mixed teams assembled on the day, with Jersey’s competitors joining forces with martial artists from other clubs.
Away from the competition floor, the event began with seminars led by senior instructors from across the International Kenpo Karate Association before concluding with a further day of training on Sunday.
Jersey’s chief instructor, Roy MacDonald BEM, a 10th Dan black belt, was invited to teach as part of the international panel, leading an adult seminar and the Black Belt Master Class.
He also served as a senior judge during the championships.
The Jersey squad was coached throughout the competition by head instructor Ray Molloy, a 5th Dan black belt.
MacDonald said: “I couldn’t be prouder of every one of our students. To come home with 35 medals and a trophy from a European Championships is a tremendous achievement for a small island club, and it’s a credit to the hard work they and their families put in all year round.
“I’d also like to recognise the great time and effort put in by our head instructor, Ray Molloy.”
Molloy himself added: “I honestly couldn’t be prouder of every single one of the kids and what they achieved.
“What stood out to me most wasn’t just what they accomplished individually, but how we all pulled together as a team – everyone supported and encouraged each other.
“I couldn’t single out just one child, because every single one of them was outstanding. I also want to say a massive thank you to Mr MacDonald for his guidance and leadership, and to all the parents for their help, support and encouragement.
“The biggest lesson I hope the kids take away is simple: believe in yourself, never give up, and remember you can achieve anything if you try.”
The championships were organised by IKKA Europe, the European branch of the International Kenpo Karate Association, which has promoted the discipline across Europe since 1984.
The Jersey Kenpo Karate Association trains at Oakfield Sports Stadium and welcomes new students of all ages.
Further information is available at www.kenpojersey.co.uk.
