At 1.30 in the morning of Thursday 6th October a group of Portchester members commenced their journey to Bulgaria, via Luton and Varna (Black Sea) airports. The party consisted of six Referees/Judges and seven competitors.

The party arrived at Burgas, known as Sunny beach, in Bulgaria, just after 4pm. After checking into the rooms the competitors joined with the other members of the English team for some light training. This training was led by Graham Mercer, squad coach for the SKCE karate organisation and England squad coach for the championships.

The officials had recently completed the formal training and exams with SKDUN England and the World Championships was the setting for the practical assessments. Following three days of very intensive work in assisting with the competition the group were awarded a range of internationaly recognised referee and judging qualifications. 

The competitors aquited themselves to a good standard and gained several finalist positions.

Some of the group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ready to start their assessment at the Kyu grade Championships.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No shortage of spectators.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two of the team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Medal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katerina competing whilst Richard is Judging on another area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another medal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The start of Jion Kata.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evo on the left another medal winner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presentation of qualifications at the end of the Championships.