9th International Aikido Tournament 2011

Luke Fountain and Brandon Murphy represented Great Britain as part of the BAA National Youth Team at the 9th International Aikido Tournament in London between 11th and 14th August 2011.

The pair, both 15 years old, entered 3 events: Junanahon (basic kata), open kata and Kongo Dan Teisen (7 person team event) competing against the worlds best aikidoka over the course of 3 days.

Their best performance came in the open kata where they belied their youthful inexperience to defeat a senior 2nd dan black belt opponent in the second round with a unanimous 5 flag judges decision. This win secured them a place in the last 16 before they bowed out to a more experienced Japanese duo.

Overall the Great Britain teams performed well winning a total of 11 medals including 6 golds.

With their first senior international tournament under their belt, Luke and Brandon now look forward to competing again in the next international tournament due to take place in Japan in 2013.

The pair have trained together at the Wakefield Club for a number of years and have successfully won a number of medals at junior regional and national championships over the past few years. At the last junior competition (also the pairs last junior competition before they become too old to compete at junior level), the Junior Open Championships held in Bradford on 2nd July 2011, the pair secured 3 golds and a silver. In one event, the open kata, they did not drop a single judges decision throughout the whole competition (5 judges per bout).

Under the expert instruction of head coach, ex Great Britain team member and international medal winner, Adrian Tipling (5th Dan black belt ) and deputy instructor 3rd Dan black belt Chris Moran (also an ex member of the Great Britain team and international medal winner), the pair represent the next generation of potential international champions from the successful Wakefield club.

The club is based at Lightwaves Leisure Centre in Wakefield. Further details can be obtained from either reception (tel no. 01924 302315) or Catherine Moran, Secretary (tel no. 01977 599128).