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NZ out of luck on Day 1 at World Universities Karate Championships
Friday, August 4th, 2006
New Zealand team members were out of luck on the first day of competition at the 5th World Universities Karate Championships.
Amy Thomason of Wellington looked very good in her first match against Russia in the female +60kg fighting winning comfortably 7-5. In her next match Amy came up against Greece. The Greek fighter scored first and once she was ahead protected her lead forcing Amy into playing catch-up. In the end Greece prevailed 6-3. The Greek girl lost to Slovakia so again no repechage for NZ.
In the male -80kg kumite, Scott Roche of Wellington fought with great spirit. After a first round bye he came up against Japan. The final score was 8-0 to Japan but that does a disservice to Scott. He took the fight to the bigger Japanese fighter and although the close points went to Japan Scott made good contact and made sure the Japanese player knew he had been in a fight. The Japanese fighter went through to the final (placed 2nd to Azerbaijan) so Scott got a repechage. Unfortunately, this was an opportunity that got away with Scott going down 3-4 to Poland in a match that was winnable.
Sarah Campbell in the Women’s individual Kata lost 4-1 to Serbia. However, of interest the Japanese judge voted for Sarah. Serbia did not advance to the final so there was no repechage opportunity. However, Sarah is positive and realises the gap between winning and losing at this level is achievable for NZ.
NZ Coach Chris Bennett advises that although the NZ team is disappointed with the outcomes today, team morale is good. The NZ team could see that they are definitely competitive with many of the countries present. Travis Butler, Brendon Running and Kylie Rochford are on the mat tomorrow and are feeling positive.
The World Universities Karate Championships continues over 4 days. The New Zealanders competing on each day are:
Day 2 (Saturday morning NZ time)
Travis Butler, Auckland University, male -75kg kumite
Brendon Running, Auckland University, male -70kg kumite
Kylie Rochford, Canterbury University, female -60kg kumite
Day 3 (Sunday morning NZ time)
Tamara Glyn, Auckland University, female open kumite
Travis Butler, male open kumite
Day 4 (Monday morning NZ time)
Female team kumite – Amy Thomason, Tamara Glyn, Kylie Rochford
Male team kumite – Travis Butler, Scott Roche, Brendon Running
For further information contact:
Leo Donnelly – President Karate New Zealand 027 4417357
