Sunday 20th February saw another early start for 16 members of John Tomlinson’s’ Grimsby Strike Team from the Grimsby Freestyle Kickboxing Club. They travelled to the Wildcats Basketball Arena in Nottingham to compete in The Martial Arts Show 2 Live.
Emotions were running high for some members of the Grimsby Strike Team, as this was their debut competition. After a spectacular opening ceremony, which included a Chinese Dragon, dancers, hula hoopists and an excellent weapons demonstration, the competition kicked off over 6 areas.
Most of the Grimsby Strike Teams junior fighters and John Tomlinson himself took part in Combat Sports Weaponry (CSW), which none had even seen before let alone had a go at. For those who don’t know it is sword fighting with foam swords. The juniors were separated into two different categories and John competed in the adult’s black belt. It was a great start to the day with Luke Tomlinson, Joe Axcell and John Tomlinson winning Bronze, and Oliver Tilson, who was taking part in his first competition, winning Silver.
First of the Grimsby Strike Team to fight was Graham Colbeck in the mens -75kg novice light continuous. Colbeck who has been training hard in the gym recently fought well with good combinations and came away with a very respectable 2nd place silver medal.
Next to take to the mats was Ben Collins in the mens –85kg novice light continuous. Ben took control of the fights from the start and soon found himself in the final. The determination to win was written all over Bens face. Time started and Ben kept pushing forward. He threw an amazing front kick, knocking his opponent over. Ben was in control the whole fight and his determination was rewarded with a gold medal.
The only female fighting for the Grimsby Strike Team was 12year old Amy Benson in the –5ft 4 intermediate/advanced light continuous. Amy put the techniques, which she has learnt in the gym into practise and found herself in the final. Her opponent was good but Amy did seem to have the better of her, knocking her over, and continually jabbing her in the face. Unfortunately the judges’ decision went against Amy but she still came away with silver.
The first of the boys to fight was young Ethan Noton in the boys-4ft 4 intermediate/advanced light continuous. Ethan easily won the first round, keeping his distance, but making sure that each punch and kick scored. Ethan’s final was tough; his opponent was a very good young fighter from Wales. Each fighter was throwing fast punches and kicks, but Ethan found some extra power towards the end and showed the referees that he really was the best! Ethan won gold!
By this point the Grimsby Strike Team were in high spirits! The support for each fighter was immense. Kevin Benson was ready for his opponents in the mens-90kg intermediate/advanced light continuous. Kevin’s 100% training in the gym really paid off! He was a lot fitter and even managed to keep his cool when one of his opponents really lost his! Kevin won another gold medal for the Grimsby Strike Team.
Daniel Balch was next to fight in the boys’ -5ft intermediate/advanced light continuous. Daniel started out has he meant to go on. He landed some extremely good turning kicks to his opponents’ head followed by several punches. It was an easy win for Daniel. Daniels’ next round was harder. Both boys used good techniques but Daniels opponent started to tire. The circuits in the gym had paid off for Daniel. Daniel won and had made it into the final! The final started and Daniel was determined to win. He took control of the fight and the gold medal was his!
Daniel was then asked to fight in the boys’ -5ft black belt light continuous. This was a straight final as there was only one in the category. His opponent was very cocky and thought that he had a definite gold in the bag but Daniel soon showed him who the better fighter was. Another gold for Daniel!
First of the semi-contact fighters to fight was Leo Collins. Carrying a huge egg on his forehead from a fall earlier in the day, Leo took to the mat with confidence in the boys’ -4ft novice category. He started well with the Blitz technique. The points started to mount up. The arena was then filled with the sound of GFKC supporters chanting 2-2-2-2…. as Leo scored a head kick. Leo won 10-6. Leo won by an impressive 8-1 in the final to take another gold home for the Grimsby Strike Team.
Daniel Chapman, Oliver Tilson and Harry Benson all fought in the boys’ -4ft 8 novice semi-contact category. Both Daniel and Oliver fought extremely well, but despite their hard work and determination were beaten in their first fight. A disappointment for both boys. Harry Benson got through to the 3rd place fight off. He scored a cracking head kick and won 4-2 taking home bronze.
The next of the novice boys to fight was Luke Tomlinson, in the -5ft 4 semi-contact section. Luke won 7-6. Lukes’ opponent in the semi final was a blue belt. No way was he a novice. A complaint had already been lodged against him but he still ended up in this category. This didn’t intimidate Luke and he fought very well, but unfortunately he lost 5-2 winning another bronze medal for the Grimsby Strike Team.
Ethan Noton was the first of the intermediate/advanced boys to fight in the -4ft 4semi-contact. He used fast hands in his first fight winning 9-4. The final was a struggle for Ethan at first. Ethan took some nasty shots, one kick especially in the face. He was losing 7-3 when he returned to the mat. The supporters really got behind Ethan, there was only 20 seconds left on the clock. Ethan had found some extra strength; he wasn’t going to be beaten. He scored 3 head kicks winning the final 9-7.
Cameron Brandon and Evan Balch competed in the boys’ -4ft 8 intermediate/advanced semi-contact category. Evan was up first. He was against a very good welsh fighter. He used some very good blocking techniques, but unfortunately lost 2-1. Cameron put up a good fight too but took a nasty fall and the medics were called. He was able to continue but unfortunately he to lost the fight.
Joe Axcell and Daniel Balch fought in the -5ft intermediate/advanced category. Daniel started out terrible. It was as though he had a blindfold on! His opponent just kept on scoring. At one point Daniel was 5-0 down. The penny finally dropped and he realised that he needed to score some points to win. Daniel started to use his reverse punches and the points started to mount up until he was finally drawing. Each fighter would keep scoring, 5 seconds to go and it was 9 all. With that Daniels opponent scored, 10-9. It was the end of Daniels campaign for a gold! Joe on the other hand, battled his way to the final. He had been training hard over the last few weeks and was determined to go home with the gold medal! Joe really made use of his blitz and reverse punches. It was a close fight and all you could hear was the Grimsby Strike Team supporters screaming Joes name! Joe clinched it in the last few seconds, 9-8 to Joe! It was great to see the relief on Joes face, he had done it! Another gold for the Strike Team!
It was finally the mens turn. First up in the mens –75 kg novice semi-contact was Graham Colbeck. Graham won his first fight 5-3 and then found himself in the final. Graham used the Blitz technique well and the points kept on being added on. At the end of time it was a draw and so Graham had to fight in extra time. During this time there was a bit of a muddle with the points, (one of Grahams points was put on the wrong side) which meant that Graham ended up losing by 1 point! Graham still took home another silver medal.
There was no stopping Ben Collins in the –85 kg novice semi-contact section. Ben outclassed his opponents, he had speed and strength on his side! Ben won his first fight 9-2, the semi-final 8-5 and the final 10-2. Another gold for Ben and the Grimsby Strike Team!
James Wallwork had been waiting all day for his debut fight. He had watched everyone else, young and old, fight well and most win medals. James went straight into the final of the mens –90kg novice semi-contact. If James was nervous he certainly didn’t show it when he got onto the mat. His long arms and legs came in useful. Before he new it the buzzer went and he had won the gold!
The Grimsby Strike Team had been waiting all day for the next fighter. They were really putting pressure on him! After all, between them they had managed to rack up a fantastic 19 medals! It was the mens –70 kg black belt semi-contact. Senior instructor John Tomlinson stepped onto the mat. John won his first round 8-7. The final was tough but John used some impressive head kicks (the Grimsby Strike Team supporters showed their appreciation by chanting 2-2-2-2-2-2;), blitz techniques and even surprised his opponent with an American ridge hand. The final went to extra time, but Tomlinson out skilled his opponent to take the Gold.
All in all it was a very impressive day for the Grimsby Strike Team. Chief instructor John Tomlinson said that the members of the Grimsby Strike Team all gave an outstanding performance on Sunday and all fought extremely well! Altogether the team came home with 11 Gold, 4 Silver and 5 Bronze.
Well done to all the fighters and a big thank you to all the supporters!