THE Ultimate Sport Karate Organisation who have successful local karate clubs in Colwall, Ledbury, Worcester, Malvern and Tewkesbury, recently held their Annual Tournament at Powick Parish Hall earlier this month.

Competitors from every club entered sections for Karate Kumite (semi-contact fighting) and Individual and Team Karate Kata.

Jemma Creese from the Malvern Club was one of eight competitors to win a first place in the fighting. Winners for Karate Kumite also include Ed Bowring, Nick Arini, Richard Pitt, Dave Avery and Honor McClure all from the Malvern Karate Club, Mike Roberts from Worcester and Lee Leversidge from the Ledbury Club.

Karate Kata is a set of combination of moves used in training as a way of defending against more than one opponent. Competitors who won 1st, 2nd and 3rd places were Nick Arini, Honor McClure, Ann-Marie Philpotts, Sarah Smith, Tom Edwards and Alex Beasley who all train at Malvern Club.

In the last event Team Kata, competitors had to perform their chosen Kata with a three person team in exact synchronisation, Gold Medal winners were Nick Arini, Ed Bowring and Ann-Marie Philpotts. The team that came a close second were Sarah Smith, Lucy Flanders and Amy Durrant who both train at Tewkesbury Club.

A special thanks to Sue Hobson as the qualified First Aid person present throughout all contact events.

Chief Instructor Sensei Neil Bennett - 3rd Dan Karate Black Belt said: "Well done to all who entered this tournament, I was very pleased to see that the techniques used were correct and controlled, all competitors showed proper respect to each other, win or lose, which is what real karate is all about. New students of all ages who wish to learn karate and self-defence are always most welcome at any of our clubs."

For further details contact (01684) 567721 (daytime) or 07801 846055 (anytime).