Students from Ilkley's Premiere Karate Club proved once again they had the golden touch at the 2006 SKU National Kumite Championships held at Ponds Forge Sports Centre in Sheffield.

The Ilkley Club run by chief instructor Mark Outterside (5th Dan) and his assistants came away with 3 first place, two second place, and 3 third place trophies.

The standard set was high as in previous years and the rewarding results for Ilkley were on a par with last years achievements from this tournament.

Eleven year old Calum Kerr started the avalanche of first place awards, as he stormed through the elimination rounds in the boys senior grade under 40kg kumite event. Calum also won the same event at last years championships.

William Coates (10) was outstanding in the boys senior grade under 45kg. Having settled for third place last year William dominated the event after cruising through the elimination rounds to take the title.

Max Taylor (9) made a promising debut as a senior grade in the boys 8 to 9 years black and brown belt event. In two rounds Max won 8 scores to nil to take a well deserved third place. What makes the result even more remarkable is that Max only graded to brown belt only a couple of weeks before the tournament.

The third title of the day went the Tyrone Abraham (13) as he took first place honors in the boy's senior grade over 50 kg categories for the second year running.

Liam Scott (10) was in top form as he took a well deserved second place trophy in the boys black and brown belt under 35 kg category. Liam just missed out on making it a forth title for Ilkley.

Andrew Johnston (15) also put in a good performance in the boys senior grade under 45 kg category. After beating rival clubs in the eliminationation rounds Andrew was on a high. Andrew managed a draw in the final bout with seconds to spare. Unfortunately Andrew lost in extra time and had to settle for second place.

Assistant Instructor Simon Holden (2nd dan) proved that he still has what it takes by winning a third place trophy in the men's senior grade heavy weight category.

To complete the overall tally Claire Harris made a promising debut in the Ladies open kumite event. Claire managed another win for Ilkley by taking third place in the senior free fighting event against tough opposition.

Students from Ilkley Karate Club had plenty to celebrate at the recent record breaking grading examinations held at the Ben Rhydding Methodist Church in Ilkley.

Twenty four students ranging from 6 upwards (19 children and 5 adults) were graded by Sensei Stan Knighton (8th Dan) who travels from Sheffield to grade the Ilkley students. Sensei Knighton is one of highest ranked karate-ka in the UK, and a pass mark awarded by him is one well respected in the karate world.

Club instructor Mark Outterside (5th dan) feels that his students receive a less biased and objective pass mark by getting the top man to assess his students he also feels that he gets the best out of his students.

The examiner was highly impressed with everyone's performance on the night, as the standard set was very high especially when most of the children were under 10 years of age.

Mark singled out the performances of eight year old Elly Field and adult Philip Quinn. Elly also managed to achieve the highest score in her last grading which is an incredible achievement for someone of her age.

Recent new starters Sam McKinnon-Evans (5), Max McKinnon-Evans (7), Anson Fong (6), Jake Moore (7), Michael Roberts(11), Edward Merrett (6), Katie Butterfield (8) and Patrick MacIntosh (14) all passed the grade of 9h kyu red belt with some very good scores.

Six year old Katie Pearce successfully passed the grade of yellow belt tab.

Richard Hooper (13), Ben Lister (8), Joe Richardson (7), Matthew Hickie (6), than Ethan Thompson (7) and Ethan\'s father Nick Thompson all achieved the grade of 7th kyu orange belt. Both Nick and Ethan returned early from their two week holiday in order to grade.

Adults moving up to green belt were Philip Quinn and Andy Papworth who did exceptional well. Eight year old Nathan Fong also achieved green belt status.

Up and coming stars Elly Field (8) and Jake Field (6) once again both scored highly to attain the grade of blue belt tab, as too did Vikram Singh (8).

Senior cadet Joshua Hubberstey (13) & adults Patrick Hickie, Geoff Ward also passed the grade of 5th kyu blue belt again with some impressive marks throughout.

Trophies were presented to high scorers of the night. The top awards went to Philip Quinn and Elly Field who scored the highest marks on the night.

Instructor Mark Outterside said, students travel from all over West & North Yorkshire to train at the Ilkley club and this is why the club achieves such good results from the gradings and competitions home and abroad.

The club is now looking forward to the forthcoming UK Open Karate Championships and All England Open Karate Championships and are hoping do well.

Students from Ilkley Karate Club were in top form for the 4th year running at the 2006 Wharfedale Kata and Kumite Championships. The Ilkley students won an overwhelming number of trophies at the tournament which was held at Aireborough Leisure Centre in Guiseley.

Local clubs from Leeds, Yeadon, Baildon, Otley, Harrogate, Guiseley, Horsforth, Skipton as well as Ilkley took part.

As always the event proved to be an enormous success: with over one hundred and sixty students competing. The standard was particularly high especially as some of the Ilkley students were competing for the first time.

The adults had two of the disciplines to contend with (kata and kumite) as the children's free fighting event had been staged earlier in the year.

The club run by chief instructor Mark Outterside came away with an amazing 29 trophies, these included seven first, ten second and twelve third place trophies. Ilkley claimed the top spot once again by taking a large majority of the trophies on offer.

The Ilkley champions are as follows:

Kata Results

Boys & Girls Red belts

• 2nd Sam Simons
• 3rd Rose Blackburne

Yellow & Orange belt 8 & Under

• 3rd Callum Clarke

Boys Yellow & Orange belt 9 to 12 Years

• 1st Ryan Clarke

Boys Green to Purple belt 10 Years & Under

• 3rd Jake Field

Girls Green to Purple belt 10 Years & Under

• 1st Elly Field
• 3rd Bridgit Taylor

Boys Brown belt 10 Years & under

• 1st Liam Scott
• 2nd Toby Earle
• 3rd Jamie Hennessy

Girls Black belt

• 2nd Tashina Earle

Men's Yellow & Orange belt

• 1st Simon Lund
• 2nd Dave Taylor
• 3rd Philip Quinn

Men's Green to Purple belt

• 1st Geoff Ward
• 2nd Michael Driver
• 3rd Nick Hewitt

Men's Brown belt

• 3rd Andrew Drury

Women's Brown belt

• 1st Marita Thain

Women's Black belt

• 2nd Maria Corless

Adult Kumite

Women's Yellow to Orange belt

• 3rd Jo Taylor

Men's Yellow to Orange belt

• 3rd Simon Lund

Men's Green to Purple belt

• 1st Nick Hewitt
• 2nd Michael Driver
• 3rd Damon Bowles

Men's Brown belt

• 3rd Giles Blackburne