LAST Sunday saw Bradford’s ABS Martial Arts host a unique competition where the club’s students could showcase their talents.

The event took place at Dixons Allerton Academy, not far from ABS’ training base on Allerton Road, Bradford.

In total, 27 participants competed across both the individual and team events (kata), with each competition being split into age categories.

Across the ‘individual’ competitions, the events were categorised as U10s, U14s, U17s and 18 + with the top three performers from each event earning a podium finish.

ABS demonstrate ‘Renshinkai Karate’ at their dojo and their classes are overseen by chief instructor Shihan Abrar Hussain (6th Dan) and instructor Sensei Hasan Rizwan (3rd Dan), and the latter spoke to the T&A following the success of the competition, where over 60 people were spectating.

He said: “It was an extremely successful day for the club and I’m very proud of everyone who competed because for a number of them, it was their first time.

“It can be very daunting when you go into competition, but after seeing the progress that our students have been making at the dojo recently, me and Shihan (6th Dan) thought it was the right time to give our students this opportunity.

“We wanted to put this competition together, so that the students could showcase their progress and what they’ve been practising over the last few months.”

He added: “It proves that when you put a lot of hours into practice, no matter what your ability is, then you can perform well when it comes to the day”

Rizwan is hopeful that the success of last Sunday will open up doors for future competition for his students.

He said: “This was our first kata event for a very long time and this, I’m hoping, as the senior instructor, will be the first of many.

“We want to make this kata event an annual event after the success of this one, and hopefully we can encourage and attract even more participants.

“Alongside the kata competition, we are currently discussing different fighting competitions that we could potentially host too.

“The reaction from not only the students, but their families have been amazing.”

He added: “You could see that the parents were delighted with how well their children were doing at this event, and that the training had clearly been hugely beneficial.”

Rizwan further commented on the bravery of his students for taking the opportunity to compete at the event last Sunday.

He said: “We had students who were on the edge of not competing but decided to give it a go.

“It takes great bravery to be able to do that and for that, I’m so proud of them, as is our chief instructor Shihan.”

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