A prestigious golden double for SSKI fighters in Portsmouth

Malcolm Phipps congratulates Adam Cockfield on his victory at the Portsmouth Open Karate Championships

The competition is the South of England’s premier karate tournament, and the Mountbatten Centre was packed with competitors and spectators for the annual bonanza.

Adam Cockfield 5th Dan won another excellent gold medal in the men’s black-belt kata event and he also took a bronze in the men’s kumite.

Vicky Adams 2nd Dan won the black-belt ladies’ kumite title in a very exciting final that went to extra-time, making it two gold medals for SSKI.

Kajol Marathe and Cristy Nash took silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the ladies’ 16/17yrs kumite event, with Matthew Cooper taking the bronze in the men’s 16/17yrs kumite.

Petra Ewington took two bronze medals on the day, while the adult kata team of Tom Carson, Adams and Nash narrowly lost out on the gold medal by the smallest of margins and had to settle for silver.

The depleted three-man kumite team also took a bronze medal and this was a huge result as SSKI – due to illness – only had two competitors. Cockfield and Gary Page just missed the final by the smallest of margins.

Anyone interested in joining SSKI should ring 01442 266048 and ask for further details or visit www.sski.org

A new childrenss class will be starting in January with one of the country’s most successful children’s instructors, Malcolm Phipps 8th Dan.

Malcolm has produced a host of world and national champions in his time, and any parents interested in finding out more can do so by calling the number above.