Arrival at the AETF Euros
After arriving at the AETF European Championships in Slovenia, settling in to the hotel on the mountain (a cable car ride to get anywhere every day!), day 1 was weigh ins.
Ours all made weight well. Never any doubts.
Competitor Recap
The recap for each competitor at the European Championships are as follows:
Krish Rathod
The reigning European champion returned to attempt to maintain the title. However it wasn’t to be. Krish progressed through to the quarter final where he met a very strong Ukrainian who we knew was the biggest threat in the category. After being 3-2 ahead from round 1, the judges flicked to 2-3 in round 2. Ukraine went on to win the category.
Finlay Brown
With a strong first round vs Italy, Finn progressed to the quarter finals. A very tricky fighter for Finn and a strong lad who made it to an all Ukraine final held Finn down to finishing with a still impressive top 8 position.
Joshua McMurdy
Josh fought a very strong Polish fighter with a very strong front leg, and really this was the difference. This was Josh first European Championships and he has the ability to go further. It was not meant to be, but nobody listens better and implements change as quickly as Josh. One to watch for the future.
Joshua Manton
In Josh’ first competition at this level he listened well and dominated his Italian opponent in round 1. Josh went through to fight a Slovenian on home soil, and it was the only bout we would say there was an obvious “home advantage”. He scored multiple clear shots, but the screens said otherwise. Josh finished his first European outing with a still impressive top 8 finish.
Blake Taylor
Blake was first time out at the European Championships and in a -55kg category stacked with talent. Fighting a strong Polish fighter, Blake fought hard, but it was not to be this year. A big occasion in a stadium that was extremely loud during Blake’s bout heightened the occasion further. Lots learnt and on to the next.
Summer Kightley
Summer fought in the -60kg pre junior girls (12-15yrs). At her first competition at this level Summer was called to perform under the bright lights of the excellent raised centre ring. Once again we drew Ukraine and Summer dominated the bout. She managed it well, until with about 30 seconds remaining she took a clear head kick. The judges flicked to the favour of Ukraine, and despite Summers tenacious chase to flick the scores back, there wasn’t time. One head kick made all the difference to Ukraine. Summer ended in the top 8.
Cian Guest
Cian was another first time representative, this time in the pre junior -50kg boys. Fighting a well schooled competitor from Ireland, we saw a baptism of fire in round 1. Here Cian responded with a strong willed effort to attempt to come back in round 2. Finding his feet and learning quickly, Cian chased the fight. However, the damage had been done in round 1 and the deficit was just too far to reach. The first outing of such a young fighter, some great experience gained and so much more to come.
Alfie Andrews
Alfie Andrews: Alfie performed in Pre Junior 2nd degree patterns, losing narrowly in a very close semi final to the Bosnian competitor who went on to take the Silver medal, leaving Alfie to collect the bronze.
He also performed in special technique, building on last years performances at the euro’s and world, and scoring an impressive 10 points out of 15, meaning a 6th place finish
…and then….
Alfie fought in pre junior boys -50kg. He has been building to this point for several years and drew an opponent in round 1 from Scotland who he’s met several times and never beaten.
The extra study and work in the gym has been done and after a great bout Alfie took the win. He progressed to beat Ireland in the quarter finals, and part way through a very dominant performance in the semi finals, his Polish opponent withdrew before the time was finished. This set up a final vs Romania later the same day.
The ever popular Alfie entered the bright lights of centre stage with not just England, but representatives from many counties screaming for victory. His opponent was a very well schooled competitor who proved just too good. A deserving European champion meaning Alfie won Silver and a whole heap of learning and experience to take him to even better results in the future.
Team Events
England entered team for the Power, Special Technique, Patterns and Sparring in both Junior and Pre junior boys, selecting Proaction representatives for all.
Unfortunately no medals in the teams.
The England team showed the relied heavily on individual performances in the main, and managed a very impressive final standings position of 6th overall, with the pre juniors finishing 3rd overall.
For Proaction, we are proud to have had selected more representatives than any other club in the country. Several first time competitors, several out to the winners, and most just needing one more round to reach the medals.
We now continue the work and development to progress the athletes and those following up behind, to greater success on the top stage our art has to offer.
We also say a huge thank you to club coach Mr Glos who wore the England tracksuit for the first time as a coach, passing on his wealth of knowledge and experience at this level, alongside Master Nicholson, to ensure our competitors had the very best support.
Thank you and well done to all.
The next major competition will be the Welsh Open.
– Master Tom Nicholson
