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Copyright © Federation of English Karate Organisations (International) 2011

The FEKO International karate squad travelled on 25th May to Lignano in Italy for the 4th WUKF World Karate Championships for Seniors and Veterans. The squad was led by Noel Mantock, FEKO Vice Chair and Acting National Coach. The squad consisted of Helen Hibberd ( Women’s Captain ); Eleanor Bryant; Heba Khafagy; Amy Wright–Hamilton; Basil Leeshue ( Men’s Captain); Sellathurai Ganeshalingam; Michael Barham and Jamie Cure.

The venue was a self contained "Olympic" style village with on site accommodation, Olympic size swimming pool and other leisure facilities.

The championships attracted representatives from 34 countries, 653 athletes (295 for kata events and 358 for kumite events).

Amy Wright- Hamilton, who was experiencing her first senior world championships performed well, beating two Brazilian national champions during her event. Helen Hibberd managed to cause a stir with the medics! During her event she sustained a very nasty cut to her left eye which required 3 butterfly stitches. For Eleanor Bryant it was her first championship and one which she says she will remember for a long time. Heba Khafagy was due to take some vital University exams but made special arrangements with her University to enable her to represent FEKO International.

There were some exceptional performances from Basil Leeshue in the veteran’s kumite. Sellathurai Ganeshalingam "the Legend" reported that he had come away from the championship in an inspired mood. Michael Barham and Jamie Cure are the foundation of the future for FEKO International and it was good to see young men who listened and wanted to learn from the experience.
Regrettably our National Coach, Stewart Tompkins was unable to travel. He and Noel Mantock have been part of the FEKO International teams for more than 10 years. Although Stewart was bitterly disappointed at not being able to travel to Italy, Noel reported how honoured he was to be able to be his substitute for the championships.

Our team of FEKO Referees, many of whom are already WUKF World Referees and/or Judges, led by our Chief Referee Robert Phillips also travelled to the championships. The Referees were Azad Kumar, Maria Kelly-Fursdon, Dennis Robinson, Anselm Taylor, Alan White, Peter Roadway and Stuart Forsyth. It was an excellent competition for the FEKO International referees who worked extremely hard and were involved in quite a few of the finals. FEKO International offers special congratulations to Peter Radway on being promoted to Continental Judge on his first visit to the world championships.

We now look forward to preparing the FEKO International Junior and Senior Karate Squads for future National, European and World Championships.