JERSEY’S young martial artists returned from the European Kenpo Karate Championships in Athens with 35 medals and a trophy recognising their outstanding haul relative to the size of their team.
The ten-strong Jersey Kenpo Karate Association squad collected seven gold, 14 silver and 14 bronze medals across the four-day International Kenpo Karate Association (IKKA) Europe event, held at the Peristeri Olympic Boxing Centre from 8-11 October.
Nine of the ten competitors reached the podium, with the team’s youngest members aged just eight.
The squad’s success was further rewarded with a trophy for winning the most medals relative to team size, although the award came as a surprise after the Jersey competitors had already left the venue. Andrea Albert, mother of competitor Tim Albert, collected the trophy on the club’s behalf.
Nine-year-old Tobias Puttick Barrett led the individual medal count with four golds, winning Creative Forms, Weapon Kata, Point Sparring and Team Sparring, as well as silver in Self Defence.
Eight-year-old Iason Milosev also enjoyed a successful championships, taking gold in Creative Forms and Self Defence, alongside silver in Point Sparring.
Alexander Austick, 11, added gold in Self Defence, silver in Team Sparring and bronze in Point Sparring.
Zack Moon (right), 10, demonstrated impressive consistency by medalling in all six of his events. He claimed silver in Individual Kenpo Forms and Team Sparring, with bronze medals in Self Defence, Creative Forms, Weapon Kata and Point Sparring.
Alice Wesolowski (below), 12, collected five medals, taking silver in Self Defence, Creative Forms, Weapon Kata and Point Sparring, plus bronze in Individual Kenpo Forms.
Noah Aubert, nine, secured silver in Weapon Kata and Self Defence, alongside bronze in Individual Kenpo Forms. Eight-year-old James Wesolowski added silver in Self Defence and bronze in Individual Kenpo Forms and Point Sparring.
Black belts Tim Albert and Adelin Puican, both 16, contributed a further seven medals between them.
Albert won silver in Team Sparring and bronze in Creative Forms, Weapon Kata and Point Sparring, while Puican took silver in Team Sparring and bronze in Light Continuous Sparring and Point Sparring.
Team Sparring involved mixed teams assembled on the day, with Jersey’s competitors joining martial artists from other clubs.
Away from the competition floor, the championships began with seminars led by senior instructors from across the International Kenpo Karate Association before concluding with a further day of training on Sunday.
Jersey chief instructor Roy MacDonald BEM, a 10th Dan black belt, was invited to join the international teaching panel, leading an adult seminar and the Black Belt Master Class. He also served as a senior judge during the championships.
The squad was coached throughout the competition by head instructor Ray Molloy, a 5th Dan black belt.
MacDonald said: “I couldn’t be prouder of every one of our students. To come home with 35 medals and a trophy from a European Championships is a tremendous achievement for a small island club, and it’s a credit to the hard work they and their families put in all year round.
“I’d also like to recognise the great time and effort put in by our head instructor, Ray Molloy.”
Molloy praised both the individual performances and the team spirit shown throughout the event.
“I honestly couldn’t be prouder of every single one of the kids and what they achieved,” he said. What stood out to me most wasn’t just what they accomplished individually, but how we all pulled together as a team – everyone supported and encouraged each other.
“I couldn’t single out just one child, because every single one of them was outstanding. I also want to say a massive thank you to Mr MacDonald for his guidance and leadership, and to all the parents for their help, support and encouragement.
“The biggest lesson I hope the kids take away is simple: believe in yourself, never give up, and remember you can achieve anything if you try.”
The championships were organised by IKKA Europe, the European branch of the International Kenpo Karate Association, which has promoted the discipline across Europe since 1984.
The Jersey Kenpo Karate Association is based at Oakfield Sports Stadium and welcomes new students of all ages.
More information is available at kenpojersey.co.uk.
