Last competition this year

On December 10-11, 2022, the 13TH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP took place in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. CHAMPIONS CUP was held at the Horia Demian Sports Hall, organized by Federation Romania de Karate WUKF. 915 competitors from 14 countries competed in the 13TH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP. SKC Team was represented by 5 competitors.

Over the course of this year, it was my 7th start in international competitions(London, Cravley, Malta, Szczecin, Treviglio, Karlovy Vary, Cluj Napoca) so this season can be considered successful. There was a lot of going on during my starts, there were emotions, and most importantly, it was gathering new experience and drawing conclusions. The last international performance was the participation in the 13TH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP, where i competed in the senior and veteran category.

As usual, our competition starts with a meeting at the airport, this time we started our journey from London Luton. After landing in  Cluj Napoca, we quickly got to the hotel, where the documents related to the start in the competition were checked. After completing the necessary formalities, we went to our hotel. We ended the day with lunch and a walk around the old town and a short stay at the Christmas Market.

The first day of the 13TH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP was Kata competition. 
Early morning wake up light breakfast equipment check and transfer to the sports hall. On that day, the SKC Team won two medals: 
Silver medal: VETERANS MALE, Individual Kata: ALL GRADES (45 to 55 years) ALL STYLES Jacek Lipiński. 
Bronze medal: VETERAN MALE, Individual Kata: ALL GRADES (36 to 45 years) Krzysztof Chalupka (IKA POLAND). 
After the competition, we had some time to walk around the old town and visit the Christmas Market.

The second day of the 13TH EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP was the Kumite competition. Standard: early morning wake up light breakfast equipment check and transfer to the sports hall. On this day we won 5 medal positions. 
Gold medals were won by: MALE Kumite (SHOBU SANBON VETERANS) 36-45 Individual: ALL GRADES, OPEN WEIGHT Krzysztof Chalupka (IKA POLAND). 
CADETS: MALE Kumite (SHOBU IPPON) Individual: ALL GRADES (14 to 15 years) Jakub Woronicz. 
Silver medal: SENIORS MALE Kumite (SHOBU IPPON) over 70 kg Jacek Lipiński. 
Bronze medals were won by: VETERAN MALE Kumite (SHOBUIPPON) + 36 ALL GRADES, OPEN WEIGHT Adam Zietalewicz (Seven Sisters Shotokan Karate Club) and Jacek Lipiński.

In total, we won 7 medal positions out of five people taking part. These competitions were held at a very high sports level. Winning 2 x gold medals, 2 x silver medals and 3 x bronze medals in the last competitions this year gives hope that the next year may be as good or even better. Particularly noteworthy are our cadets (Andrzej and Kuba) who gained invaluable experience in strongly staffed competitions. Andrzej slightly lost to the finalist of the competition, and Kuba defeated all competitors in a great style. There was a good atmosphere in our SKC Team, there was time for a smile and full focus. After the competition, we drew conclusions that, together with the experience gained, will definitely help us in the next season, so that we can return to the tatami stronger and better prepared.