WKO EUROPEAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS SUNDAY 24.11.19

NORTH SOLIHULL SPORTS CENTRE 

BIRMINGHAM

What a Day!
Thank you to WKO and Lisa Shelton and Jon Green for hosting this event along with their excellent team of referees and judges, as well as long standing friend and MC Malcolm Martin. Thank you to our parents who support not only their own kids but also the other Kicks fighters and travel long distances, and give up their time for these events. 

6 Rings – 2 Tatami Mats – 600
Competitors. Busy is not an understatement.
Where do I start ? Yesterday was a day of triumphs and learning curves for our fighters! Jamie Brown – Brilliant! His First fight as an Adult; his first K1 Fight in three years and what a return! Straight in facing International Opposition up in the Men’s 80Kgs. Jamie v Caoimhin Carlin (West Bank Kickboxing Club) Ireland in the Semi Final.  A convincing win against this strong and game Irishman saw Jamie then up against Ferrati Emiliano (WKO France) in the final. What a final. Both young men strong and sharp, mixing up their shots and using their ringcraft, but with Jamie edging each round. Well done Jamie Brown what a comeback.  Jamie Brown WKO 80KG Men’s k1 Amateur A Class European Open Tournament Champion.

Onto Jamie’s younger brother Billy Brown. Billy in the final against Harlie Taylor (Falcon Kickboxing) in the K1 B Class Halo Rules 12 – 13 Years 54 – 55Kgs. Billie is a young man who has come back from his losses.  Today we saw a different mindset, and a Billie who was pushing forward and showing the skill and expertise he has. His win at this point in his fight career against another skilled fighter couldn’t be more well deserved.
Billy Brown WKO K1 B Class Halo Rules 12 – 13 Years 54 – 55Kgs European Open  Tournament Champion

Onto Fiona MacNeill who first of all fought on the mats in the Light Continuous Final against Jennifer Clarke(Dragon Freestyle). Fiona worked hard against this skilled points fighter, and though she took the loss didn’t make it easy for her opponent. Fiona then fought later in the day in the Women’s Light Contact Kickboxing 60+ Kgs. Again another tough fight with the win to Kathryn Baker (White Lotus Martial Arts ) which then took Fiona to fighting it out for Bronze. This is again when you see people’s inner strength. Fiona got back in that ring, and though tired put everything into those rounds. She fought on her back foot for much of it and it was toe to toe action but Fiona scored more cleanly with her shots, and couldn’t have been more pleased for her well deserved win :
Fiona MacNeill WKO  European  Tournament Bronze Medallist Women’s Light Contact Kickboxing 60+ Kgs.

Regan Maher what a tough girl. Today was a mixed day for Regan as she lost for the first time in Kickboxing.She fought first in the Light Contact Ring (14 years ) – 52Kgs. There was some confusion on this fight. If we’d realised that this was an additional category for Regan who was also in the Light Contact (14 years) 44- 48kgs we would probably have withdrawn her, but as it was Regan was in the Final in her first International Fight against Oceane Maratra from (Full Contact B_Bac ) France. Regan gave her all in this fight as did her opponent. A well deserved win to Oceane Maratra 
Regan Maher WKO European Open Tournament Silver Medallist Light Contact Female Kickboxing (14 years ) – 52Kgs

Next Regan fought in the Semi Final in the Light Contact (14 years) 44- 48kgs against Lil Mae Marson (Bai Lang Kickboxing Academy).Again another skilful fighter, and in taking nothing from her opponent Regan was not fighting her usual game plan.  Not the win for Regan, but again another fight; more experience.  Regan Maher WKO  European Open Tournament Bronze Medallist Light Contact Female Kickboxing (14 Years ) 44 – 48Kgs

Regan was also in the final of the K1 B Class Halo Rules Females 14 Years against Kayla Garvey (Widnes
Thai Boxing). We knew this would be a tough fight, and if Regan had decided she’d had enough we would not have pushed her into that ring but Regan was determined to get back in so this is when you think what a warrior and what a heart. Kayla came at Regan like a tornado and this pace remained. Two Rounds gave a draw, and so it went to another round. Regan in there working her knees, and giving this girl as good as she got. Regan didn’t win that final but she definitely got Gold for her grit and determinations:: 
Regan Maher WKO European Open Tournament Silver Medallist K1 B Class Halo Rules Females 14 Years

Sadly missed both of Sam Campbell Fights. Sam was on mats initially in the final of the K1 Light C Class
(Tatami) against Shakeel Hussain (USKA ). This one round mat fight we knew would be tough for Sam and so a win to Shakeel and Sam Campbell WKO European Open Tournament Silver Medallist K1 Light C Class (Tatami) 14 – 15 Yrs 55 – 60KG.
Sam was then in the K1 A Class 15 Years Plus 60 – 62kgs. He unfortunately got caught with a right which saw him bend and then  an accidental knee to the head which saw him unable to continue so again another silver and more ring and fight experience to take him into 2020.
Sam Campbell WKO European Open Tournament Silver Medallist K1 A Class 15 Years Plus 60 – 62kgs

Joe Woollard was straight in the final of this K1 B Class Halo Rules 14 Years (61 – 64Kgs) against Adam McAuliffe (Phoenix Thai Boxing ) Joe showed true heart. Shane was in the corner and I only saw the final round which I thought Joe won but the nod went to Adam McAuliffe so :
Joe Woollard WKO European Open Tournament Silver Medallist K1 B Class Halo Rules 14 Years (61 – 64Kgs)