BKFA Nationals 2009
Stafford Club Shine at BKFA National Tournament
The Stafford, Cannock and Codsall Squad with Master Yau (Click to enlarge)
Sunday 11th October 2009 saw the best BKFA Nationals in years. The day ran smoothly and swiftly and was a great success.
Fighters from all around the country fought in the various categories for men, women and children. All fights ran smoothly due to the help from high quality referees and time/ score keepers. The referees were guided by Chief Referee Neville Wray, who made sure the fights were fair and professional. As well as semi-contact fighting, competitors also took part in light continuous fighting and the pushing hands competition.
Daniel & Master Yau (Click to enlarge) |
Garry & Master Yau (Click to enlarge) |
Stafford and Codsall clubs had much success across the different categories. In the juniors competitions, Joshua Whittall (Codsall) got 3rd in the under 4’6” category, Daniel Leong-Elphick (Stafford) won 2nd in the under 5’ category and Charlotte Bull (Codsall) achieved 3rd place in the same category. In the teams, both the junior under 5’ and junior over 5’ teams won 2nd places. In the women’s competitions, Jenny Lees (Codsall) gained 3rd place in the Ladies Semi competition and 2nd place in Ladies light continuous +62kg. In the pushing hands competition, Paul Sabin (Codsall & Stafford) got 3rd place and Barry Cain (Stafford & Codsall) won 1st place. Barry’s success was well earned following a very close contest with Jonathan Tebutt from Narbeth, which went into extra time.
The Stafford, Cannock and Codsall Demo Team (Click to enlarge)
In addition to the exciting fighting, there was a fantastic demonstration too. Stafford Lau Gar club performed a variety of entertaining and skilful sets to a selection of engaging music. The performers all looked impressive in their red and blue mandarin suits. The demonstration team received much applause and praise from spectators who seemed to be very impressed with the forms that were showcased and the martial artists who performed them. Chief instructor, Pete Hornby said, “I’m very pleased with the all effort and hard work that went into the demonstration, and it really showed in the performance. It shows that Stafford is one of the best clubs to train at, with great students and amazing teachers!”.
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The programme of the demonstration was as follows: Tiger Crane – performed to music co-composed by one of the performers, Amy Roe and her music teacher. Tai Chi Kung Fu fan – as taught by Garry Seghers from the Faye Yip school of Tai Chi. Lau Gar Luk Hap Kuen – performed to ‘Eye of the Tiger’. Pois – created and performed by Rachel Sabin, based on the butterfly knives set. Praying Mantis – as taught by Guardian Jason Crabtree and performed to ‘Real wild child’. Fau Kuen & Breaking – Paul Sabin’s version of Fau Kuen with 3 attackers and breaking of wood with his fists, legs and head! Ying Yang Boxing – as taught on a previous year’s summer course training camp. Broad sword – Advanced broad sword set performed to an ‘A-team’ track. Dual Man – as taught on the 2009 summer course training camp. Butterfly Knives – performed to the theme music of the film ‘Kung Fu Hustle’. Tai Chi Sword – Chen style sword as taught by Master Liming Yue. Fan & Sword – created and taught by Guardians John Russell & Morag Quirk. Point seeking fan – created and taught by Guardian Morag Quirk and performed to ‘No limit’. Wan Ging Gong – created by Pete Hornby to show a range of techniques for the development of Ging, release of energy / power. |
 The Full Demo Program (Click to enlarge) |
Codsall Junior Team under 5ft & Master Yau (Click to enlarge) |
Josh & Master Yau (Click to enlarge) |
The sets competition also went extremely well, with a number of sets being performed by both adults and children under the critique of the 3 Guardian judges – Carl Jones, Andrew Nation & Jason Crabtree. Notably, it was a clean sweep for Stafford and Codsall clubs in the junior sets competition. Holly Cook and Amy Roe of the Stafford club won 1st and 2nd place respectively and Joshua Whittall from the Codsall club gained 3rd prize. In the adults sets, Stafford achieved 2nd and 3rd places, with Garry Seghers of Stafford and Cannock clubs getting 2nd with a tai chi double fan set and Riona Hornby from Stafford club winning 3rd place with the advanced sword set.
Riona & Master Yau (Click to enlarge) |
Paul & Master Yau (Click to enlarge) |
To make the day even more enjoyable, 2 seminars were held for the benefit of all those there. Guardians John Russell and Morag Quirk led a workshop on pushing hands and our own Guardian Pete Hornby taught on Qi Gong. Those who attended the seminars found them both informative and valuable.
Charlotte & Master Yau (Click to enlarge) |
Amy & Master Yau (Click to enlarge) |
The day finished in good time and was rounded off by an inspirational speech by Neville Wray. He called on all Lau Gar members to rally together to ensure that Lau Gar fighters once again become a force on the national fighting scene. It is hoped that if Lau Gar fighters compete and win in a wider variety of tournaments then it will attract more fighters to our Nationals in years to come.
Barry & Master Yau (Click to enlarge) |
Codsall Junior Team Over 5ft & Master Yau (Click to enlarge) |
All in all, the BKFA Nationals is improving year by year and we look forward to an even more successful tournament on 31st October 2010!
Holly & Master Yau (Click to enlarge) |
Jenny & Master Yau (Click to enlarge) |
| Full Tournament Results | |||
| Category | First | Second | Third |
| Juniors Under 4' 6" | Ishana Moores Bristol Lau |
Kameron Brainsdoyle Bristol Lau |
Joshua Whittall Codsall Lau |
| Juniors Under 5' | Curtis Jones TKA |
Daniel Leong-Elphick Stafford Lau |
Charlotte Bull Codsall |
| Juniors Over 5' | Andrew Vasili Martial Lifestyle |
Kishare Moores Martial Lifestyle |
Aston Cook Martial Lifestyle |
| Ladies Semi | Jem Campbell Northants Lau |
Paige Walker Northants Lau |
Jenny Lees Codsall Lau |
| Mens Novices | Mark Turner Bristol Lau |
A. Yearwood SEMA |
Ryan Surtees Sunderland Lau |
| Mens Intermediate | Darrell Merryweather Kingsheath Lau |
Martin Francis Gloucester Lau |
Phil Mudge Gloucester Lau |
| Mens Seniors | Neville Palmer Northants Lau |
Rash Patel Gloucester Lau |
Phil Monks Bristol Lau |
| Sets Junior | Holly Cook Stafford Lau |
Amy Roe Stafford Lau |
Joshua Whittall Codsall Lau |
| Sets Adults | Dave Eccles Accrington Lau |
Garry Seghers Stafford & Cannock Lau |
Riona Hornby Stafford Lau |
| Pushing Hands | Barry Cain Stafford Lau |
Jonathan Tebbutt Narbeth |
Paul Sabin Stafford & Codsall Lau |
| Ladies Light <62kg | Paige Walker Northants Lau |
Kerry Allen Bristol Lau |
Kirsty Tait Bristol Lau |
| Ladies Light >62kg | Jem Campbell Northants Lau |
Jenny lees Codsall Lau |
Kate Davey Dorset Lau |
| Mens Light <70kg | Alec Sykes Leek Lau |
Mark Turner Bristol Lau |
Shane Blackburn Dorset |
| Mens Light <80kg | Junior Clarke London Lau |
Darrel Merryweather Kingsheath Lau |
Mahb Rahman Gloucester Lau |
| Mens Light >80kg | Jason Wright | Martin Pickering | S.Murphy |
| Junior Team <5' | Bristol Lau A | Codsall Lau A | Bristol Lau B |
| Junior Team >5' | Bristol Lau Gar | Codsall Lau B | Ice Dragons |
| Ladies Team | Northants Lau | Bristol Lau | |
| Mens Team | Bristol Lau | Lau Gar Squad | SEMA |
| Note: Stafford, Cannock and Codsall clubs are highlighted in red. | |||
Words: Riona Hornby
Pictures: Pete Hornby, Alan Smewing & Sam Smewing
