Cadet and Adult Kumite and Children Kobudo

We kicked off Day 3 with a fantastic result – Aleeza gave a brilliant performance in the 11–12 short weapons kobudo category, competing with sai and taking 🥇Gold! A brilliant achievement and a great way to start the day.

Layla Rae also competed in short weapons with sai, performing confidently in a huge and highly competitive category. Despite a strong showing, she unfortunately didn’t place – but it was a great effort against very experienced competitors.

Leah and Harriet also showcased some lovely kata, finishing a strong 6th and 4th respectively – a great showing in a competitive category.

The three – Harriet, Leah and Lawand – then took part in long weapons kobudo, in tough divisions stacked with incredibly strong athletes, particularly from the USA and South Africa. Despite the pressure, Leah and Harriet held their own, placing 4th and 5th!

In the kumite rings, following the intense open-weight divisions the day before, our cadets and adults were eager to prove themselves in their own weight categories. But sometimes the pressure to win can take its toll, and nerves got the better of many. Unfortunately, this, along with a few decisions that didn’t go our way, meant several of our competitors didn’t make it through their early rounds.

One standout performance came from Reda, who channelled the disappointment of narrowly missing a kata medal into a determined kumite campaign. He fought hard but was stopped by a tough Mexican opponent who went on to win the division. Reda placed a well-earned 5th.

As the day drew to a close, team rotational kumite was our last chance at a medal – but it wasn’t to be. A mix of very strong opposition and, regrettably, some questionable refereeing decisions meant we couldn’t get over the line.

It was, all told, a tough day. But before we left the arena, we regrouped. Spirits were lifted and the team rallied around, ready to return in the morning – this time to support our younger teammates in individual and team kata. Now it’s the cadets’ and adults’ turn to give back the same support they received.