Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
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Sports Scholar Oliver Thornton claims Silver and Bronze medals at the FEKO National Championships
MSc Sport and Exercise Science student Ollie Thornton claimed Silver and Bronze medals at the FEKO Karate Championships at Pond's Forge Sports Centre in Sheffield.
Ollie, who is also a Sports Scholar at Leeds Beckett, competed valiantly to capture a Silver Medal in the Heavweight Kumite section and a Bronze Medal in the Open Styles Kata.
Speaking exclusively in a Q&A to Leeds Beckett, Ollie gave his reaction to his incredible performance in Sheffield.
LB: What were your thoughts heading into the Championships?
OT: With this being the first competition of the year, it is a good opportunity to see where I am at with my training, so my thoughts were towards making sure everything was firing, and I could start strong.
LB: How satisfied are you with your performance?
OT: Overall, I am pleased with my performance. It has given me plenty to work on for the future and sets my benchmark for the year. Having support from the sport scholar programme has helped with my preparation massively.
LB: What does it mean to you winning silver and bronze medals?
OT: With these medals, I have scored ranking points to qualify for future UWK World Championships, enhancing my chances for qualification at the end of 2 years.
LB: How does your performances at the event fare against previous events you have competed in?
OT: Kata-wise this performance is in line with previous results, however, the field was very strong at this competition, so placing 3rd was a great result. Kumite wise it is an improvement from my bronze at the same event last year, and is a positive following from missing fights in 2017 due to illnesses and injuries.
LB: What are your plans now after a successful showing in the event?
OT: My immediate plans are focused on the BUCS Nationals this coming weekend - with long term goals of medalling in Wado Ryu (my style of karate) at the WUKF World Championships in Dundee in June.
An amazing performance from Ollie has set him up perfectly for 2018, best of luck for this weekend's BUCS Nationals Ollie we will all be cheering you on!
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