Team Dragon competed at the 2008 Malympex World Championships on Saturday April 12th. The Tournament started at 9.30 in the morning and went on until about 7.30 pm. We had 10 fighters flying the flag for Team Dragon. First up was Karen Sutton in the Korean Pattern section. She did a very strong pattern, winning 2nd place against a very talented opponent from the silver dragons. Next up was Phoebe Coleman in the 9-11 years old light continuous section. She took on a much bigger fighter but kept to her drills winning. Her next 2 fights went the same way and Phoebe reached the semi finals. This was a great battle with a draw. The last 30 seconds was a close fight but the decision went to the other girl leaving Phoebe with a 3rd place.
Up next was Katharine Clayton in her first big tournament. She had a great fight but lost out by just one point. Next up was the 12-14 year old boys Semi contact and with 3 of our team in this section of 32 fighters, all trying to win. First up was Jordan Kelham, with a massive height and weight disadvantage, but gave his all losing but with pride. Tom Smart was next up, his fight stopped after 60 seconds with Tom 8-0 up. He went to next round again - 8-0 win. Tom won every round to get into the final. Nathan Coleman started the same way, winning his first fight 8-0. His next fight went 6-0, and he reached the semi final losing by 1 point and taking 4th place. The final was set. Tom had a great battle, and with 30 seconds left he took command, winning with comfort and taking our first World Title of the day.
The Veterans were up next, with the under 5’8” Pete Cook padded up waiting for his turn. The fights went on and Pete was to find out that the final had been done with the wrong opponent taking Pete’s place. Facing this error, Pete had a choice - he could have this section re-run, or move up to the over 5’8”. He decided it would be unfair for the winner to have to re-fight all the way to the final again, so he moved up. His first fight was against a Tang So Do fighter with a huge height advantage. Pete took the fight to his opponent, taking the win by 6-1. Pete's next 3 fights had a similar outcome, and he reached the final against a very large Karate fighter. Pete used his speed and agility to keep away from his opponent, ultimately winning and taking our second World title of the day.
Karen Sutton was fighting next. With 3 very good fights our Chucky Chan got to the final fighting a class opponent from Wales. Karen fought well but lost out and took her second 2nd place of the day. The 15-17 year old boys Semi contact section was next with Dean Cain, Ben Smart and Callum Thompson fighting. Dean won his first fight and then lost in the next after a close battle. Ben Smart followed, winning his first fight with ease. His next fight was harder, but again Ben won into the next round. He had a very close fight, point for point until the buzzer went his opponent being 1 point ahead. Callum was left fighting all the way to the Final. Again a very close fight with the outcome being 1 point in favour of his opponent giving Callum a 2nd place. Tom Smart and Jordan Kelham were called for the light continuous section with Tom fighting and winning all the way. After 6 fights Tom reached the final. Jordan again got mismatched with a fighter some 14 inches taller, pushing his opponent back at every chance, but just couldn’t get past the huge reach advantage. At the end he was given a standing applause by all the crowd, and has been awarded Team Dragon Fighter of the Day for his true Dragon spirit. The final had to be decided and this was just one-way traffic, and a second World title for Tom Smart.
The last competitors in the forms was called up and Pete Cook was up in the Korean Pattern section. Again Pete took his second World title of the day taking the tally of 4 World titles for the Dragons. Last up were Callum Thompson and Dean Cain in the 15-17 year old Light continuous. Dean was up first against a very good opponent from Wales. He gave his all but lost out in the first round. Callum was called up and his class stood out, winning round after round and reaching the final. This proved very controversial, with both fighters being warned for contact. The pair lightened up with their contact, but Callum was then disqualified. This left him with a 3rd place - a bit of a disappointment to an otherwise good day.
