British Karate Federation Karate Championships 2009

 After all arriving in Edinburgh Scotland the competition started on the Saturday morning. We met up with Sensei Steve Scott and his students. We all sat in the stands and waited for the Kata events to start.  Sensei Steve was unlucky in the Masters to not go through for a possible medal placing after losing a split decision.  
The first SKDF competitors were Robert and Philip. Robert winning 8.0 in his first fight. Philip lost his 1st round fight but was in a position for repecharge. Robert then lost out for a Bronze medal place by 4 to 3 which was a shame as I know that he has worked so hard to place at this event. Robert lost his repecharge but fought better. 
I myself was busy during the day looking after my Daughter Lauren and coaching other KDF memebers with some success \ medals. The KDF mens Team Kata won Gold consisting of Luke , Zach Scott , & Alex Hodge. Bertrand from the Poplar KDF won his first fight in the under 70 kilos but went out in the 2nd round to a very good competitor. Andrew Rich lost his 1st fight in the Masters 2 to 1 to one of the finalists. Sensei Tony Gray won a bronze medal in the Masters event unable to secure a sanbon for 2 sweep takedowns and finishes to his frustration. 
Lee Rose missed out on a bronze medal by a refereeing mistake after his opponent had clearly missed with the winning gyaka tsuki which was highlighted by the other guys coach as well. All this was because the event run well over time. Sensei Tony and Lee were still fighting after 9 pm . The referees were by now making errors. The time of the fights had been reduced to 1 min 30 seconds to get the catagories finished.  This was very unfair for the competitors that had trained for months for this event. The BKFs were a victim of its own success.  Maybe the children events could have their own Championships seperate to the seniors in the future ?  
The senior Team event ended at 10.45.pm by this time the KDF Team had withdrawn . They went back to their hotel and missed the evening meal. So we were reduced to walking around looking for a chippy which we finaly found to our joy. 
Would we travel to next years event based on this I very much doubt it ?  
This trip cost everyone a small fortune due to travel, body protectors, face guards and hotel. With the event being diluted down due to the overunning of the catagories it was a shame as it started so well .