The Mark Holding Mitsuru group of karate clubs has been officially crowned England’s number one after topping the national championships medals table for the fifth prestigious event in a row.
The English Karate Federation this year decided to award a trophy for the association which accumulated the most gold medals at both the junior and senior grade national championships.
And this was collected by Mark Holding, 6th Dan, chief instructor of the Mitsuru clubs. These are based in Penrith, Keswick, Appleby, Dalston, Carlisle and Sedbergh.
There are also affiliated clubs in the Manchester area, with the number of members totalling almost 400 in a group whose name, “Mitsuru”, means “to grow”.
Fourteen of its fighters are England squad members with Jed Thompson, of Penrith, being ranked in the world’s top 30. Youngsters start out in the four to six years category.
“This is massive for us,” said Mark of the top award. “We have done it before but this is the first time they have given official recognition to the top association.”
He paid tribute to everybody involved in the group. “They have been exemplary, and gone above and beyond,” he said. “They train hard and they are fully committed. The respect has to go to them.
“I’m also fortunate to have some really good coaches who support me.”
The latest English Champion-ships were held over last weekend at the Ponds Forge international arena in Sheffield. Day one saw Millie Gates take the national title with some impressive fighting in the 12-13 years -42 female category. Millie was never really under pressure, clinically scored points and is a fighter to watch for the future.
Other Saturday medalists: Reece Allen, silver -52 cadets; Kitty Woods, bronze +68 juniors; Willow Wood, bronze -59 juniors; Coco Wood, bronze +52 12-13 years; Yanic Voican and Francesco Corrias, bronze -50 12-13 years.
“This was a great medal haul for a young and developing squad,” said Mark.
On day two it was the turn of under-21s and seniors.
Aidan Docherty got the team off to a great start in the under-21 -84 category, taking gold in a fight which saw him halted temporarily following a heavy head blow.
Following an assessment, he was deemed fit to continue and proceeded to dismantle his opponent and take an emphatic win.
Aidan went on to take bronze in the senior -84 class, again displaying a great fighting spirit.
Next up was an eagerly awaited clash between Jed Thompson and an athlete selected to compete in the -67 category at the forthcoming European championships.
As the fight started it was quite clear the other fighter did not want to or was having difficulty engaging in the contest. This was well controlled by Jed, who proceeded to score at will, displaying great professionalism to take a very well deserved win.
The athletes’ spirits were high leading up to the blue ribbon event of the day — the senior men’s team competition, traditionally considered the one to win and a real statement of success.
The young team of Daniel Bartoletta — just turned 18 — Aidan, aged 19, and Jed, 22, was up against an experienced, bigger in stature and very established outfit from the Midlands.
In the first round, Daniel went out and managed to hold the fight to two apiece, the other fighter winning under the first-to-score rule. Jed, second out, put a great fight together and was in control all the time, gradually dismantling his opponent to win clearly.
Aidan was out third needing to draw or win. Early in the fight his opponent scored to go in front. Aidan, having had 10 previous fights, seemed to find an extra gear and a ton of spirit to score and score again to go clear and bring the team title home.
