The second WKL event of the season took place in Wrexham in North Wales.
Coming so soon after the exertions of the WUKF World Championships in Dublin, the Karate Wales Open was quieter than expected, however it appears coaches and competitors alike had their sights set on Wrexham as their return to competition, and so this event, historically the quietest of the season, was anything but!
After a bronze at WKL I in Newport, Bradley James was back to winning ways with a gold in the Special & Para Kata in Wrexham. Lucas Widdringtion, now among the older competitors added another Bronze to his collection.
Mandie Read and her Son Daniel from AKA took the Parent & Child Kata for the second consecutive time, Mark & Ella being Vale's only medallists on this occasion.
We have a big entry in the Junior Kata teams but against stiff opposition, only the Vale Warriors (Danica, Ella & Ellie-Jayne) could earn medals, bronzes.
Danica took another bronze in the Junior Shotokan Kata with Chiara Baker also taking a bronze medal.
Welsh Open champion Amelie Fisher took the U8 Girls Kata gold medal, with Elle-Mai Lee taking bronze. Amelie than took a Kumite bronze, with Elle-Mai going one better, taking the silver.
Nathan Shepherd was again champion in the U10 Novice Kata, with Daisy Vann and Talia Efstathiou each taking bronze medals. in the same age group's advanced Kata section, Gregory James was again champion. Nathan is another of our all-rounders, as demonstrated in the Kumite where he took the silver medal. Kian George took a bronze.
Ellie-Jayne Farrugia took a silver in the U12 Girls advanced kata, just ahead of team-mate Ella Lyons who took bronze.
Griff Hughes took an U12 Boys advanced Kata silver medal.
The talented duo of Chiara baker and Danica Apologista contested the gold in the U14 Girls advanced Kata with Chiara having the edge and taking the Top Spot.
The final of the U14 Girls Kumite, between Vale team-mates Alysha Lee and Ella Forsyth turned from a celebration to a desperately unfortunate outcome as Alysha was taken to hospital after lengthy care on the mat. Without too much detail, Alysha developed breathing problems and couldn't continue. She was awarded the gold with Ella, who was extremely upset and concerned for her friend, awarded the silver.
Leah Copeand took her second consecutive Kata gold, adding a kumite silver later.
Heidi Christoforato returned to the WKL with silver medal in the Ladies Veteran Kata. Mike George took a silver in the mens Vet Kata.
After two events, Vale Karate find themselves in the unfamiliar position of second on the medal table, behind the GB Squad of Mandie Read's All-Styles Alliance.
The season has become very interesting!