May 2012 - Genesis Martial Arts

Genesis Martial Arts fielded a 9 strong team at the Cimac Superleague Martial Arts Competition at the Windsor Leisure Centre on the 27^th May 2012 on a day where it was a sweltering 30 degrees outside.

Cimac Superleague Organiser Neville Ray started the days proceedings with an emotional announcement following the untimely loss of his friend Tony Cashman. Neville requested everyone in attendance show their respect by holding a minutes silence for Tony. Tony was a great individual, a father, husband, grandfather and a martial artist. For many years Genesis and Genesis Instructors have been proud to call themselves friends of Tony and his son Jacey and his young family. Tony will be greatly missed and we wish his family all the best.

Genesis Unleashed Fight Team members Archie Thompson, Shannon Barlow, Kieran Johnson and Louise Birkett looked to build on their league table results for the year by picking up further points for placing first second or third in the respective events. Joined by the youngest member of the Genesis Squad Waleed Bin Akram the leader of the boys under 4ft 2 section and Armid Akram leader of the mens under 75kg intermediate leader board. They were also looking to secure victory towards the grand champion award at the end of the year and securing slots on the Genesis Unleashed Fight Team.

In the Boy’s under 4ft 2 section Waleed Bin Akram secured victory after 3 rounds of strategic attacking and countering. He continues to lead the chase for the boys under 4ft 2 Grand Champion title and may soon be sporting the smallest suit in the Unleashed Fight Team.

Luke Simmons competed in just second competition ever and did himself proud in both semi contact and light continuous sections. In the first round of the light contact section Luke worked hard and pressed his opponent to a tight decision defeat. In his semi contact category Luke fought the best coach Matt Jackson has seen from him to date as he is getting to grips with the competing. In the first round fighting perfectly to direction Luke comfortably won picking up his first competition victory. In the second round Luke went behind early due to two head kicks from his awkward opponent but come storming back to within 1 point having worked out his opponents range and timing. Although Luke was beaten he secured a moral victory and showed a vision of what promises to be a bright future.

Luke was joined in the boys light continuous under 5ft section by the unbreakable Archie Thompson who once again secured victory and added maximum points to his Grand Championship points tally. Proving that 2 is always better than one Archie added the boys semi contact under 5ft 2 section title to his haul to complete a flawless days work.

Kieran Johnson added a further 8 points to extend his lead in the Novice boys under 5ft 2 section securing 3^rd place, which he followed up with two victories in the boys under 5ft 2 advance section before exciting.

A newly focus Louise Birkett returned from injury to secure victory in the Girls over 5ft 2 light continuous section with a measured performance. In the final of the girls over 5ft 2 semi contact section Louise met PKA’s Top Girl Chantelle Reid and kept on level terms with the Derby fight until half way through the round when Chantelle edged ahead. Despite this it was a greatly needed confidence boost for Louise to win 2^nd place.

Shannon Barlow is still in with a chance to catch the leader on the Grand Champion tally as she currently sits in joint second place 4 points behind the leader and added 8 more points to her tally winning 3^rd in the girls under 5ft 2 semi contact section. Shannon also competed in the girls under 60kg section in what was a straight final. A clash 7 seconds from the end of the round left Shannon with a blooding nose which required first aid. Unfortunately the referee deemed that Shannon exceeded the 2 minute maximum time allowance for a first aid stoppage during a bout and deemed her unable to continue in accordance with WAKO rules. It was a bitter pill for Shannon to swallow as she was level on points with her opponent and wanted to continue.

Newcomer Ellis Banning has recently come over to the Genesis Team from Pegasus Martial Arts and is a great addition to the team. Specialising in light continuous Ellis showed great mat awareness and technique to secure second place in the final of the girls under 5ft 2 light continuous section.

Armid Akram has been on the cusp of Unleashing a memorable performance all year and today it came. Along with Fight Team member Craig Johnson Armid cut through the competition in the men’s intermediate under 75kg section meeting Craig in the final. Almost true to his word Coach Matt Jackson sat as a spectator watching the final dispatching minimal coaching to both fighters whilst watching the two friends put on a technical show point after point. Ultimately it was Craig’s superior speed and countering that won the day but Armid push him to his limit and both young fighter put on a performance of skill and tactics to make any instructor proud.

Genesis Martial Arts continued with the growth of their Fight Team and Squad at the Northants Open in Wellingborough.

Established Genesis Unleashed Fight Team members Archie Thompson, Shannon Barlow and Brad Reason led a 9 strong team and were joined by competition new comers AJ Gunasingham, Ven Gunasingham and Luke Simmons.

Waleed Bin Akram continued his impressive run winning the boys under 140cm semi contact section, and also competed in his first ever light contact section. This first round was an incredibly tight affair and required the referees to confer on their decision but ultimately Waleed was denied the victory for failing to throw the minimum number of kicks within the round.

Luke Simmons fighting in his first competition took part in the boys under 160cm novice sections in semi contact and light continuous. Luke lost a tight first round 5-6 in semi contact going behind early on but gradually pegged his opponent back as he got into his stride and demonstrating he is a talent for the future. In the fight contact section Luke lost his first round to the eventual section winner but won his next bout which was a fight off for 3^rd place.

Ven Gunasingham stormed his way to victory in the boys under 150cm novice semi contact section. Ven also competed in the novice light contact section against a frenetic opponent and was unable to get into his stride due to the pace and heavy shots which the referees seemed to let go through out the day, ultimately losing a scrappy first round.

AJ Gunasingham, Vens big brother took part in the boys under 160cm sections in light contact and semi contact winning 3^rd place in the light contact section after having to face team mate Archie Thompson in the semi final. He also made it through to the second round in semi contact.

Helene Weaver has been out of completion for a year and returned looking for success with a conversion from semi contact to light continuous. Entering the semi contact section as a warm up Helene was soundly beaten but ready for the light contact section. In the girls over 160cm light contact section Helene fought to instruction and out worked and over whelmed her opponents in the first and second rounds fighting perhaps the best she has ever looked. In the final Helene met a Team Storm Fighter who just wouldn’t be denied. Putting up a valiant fight Helen was unable to match her rival for speed movement or power and Coach Matt Jackson called a halt to the bout unhappy with the high level of contact. Helene secured a second place win.

Fight Team member Archie Thompson continued his winning ways with wins in the boys under 160cm in semi contact and light continuous, and cemented himself as the top Genesis fighter of the year to date.

Not to be out done Archie’s teammate and semi contact specialist Shannon Barlow stormed her way to victory in the girls advanced under 160 cm semi contact section and secured victory in her first ever light continuous competition.

Armid Akram had a straight final in the men’s under 75kg section but a slow start gave his opponent the lead he needed and Armid was unable to claw back the early lead. He also took place in the advanced section and was introduced to the skill gap between the intermediate and blackbelt section on route to his first round exit.

16 year old Brad Reeson made it through to the final in the boys over 160cm advanced section narrowly missing out in the final taking a silver. Brad also competed in the men’s advanced section existing in the 3^rd round.

Coach Matt Jackson also entered the Genesis Squad into the semi contact and light continuous team sections to test the team believing with the correct match ups they could emerge victorious.

In the first round of the semi team section Genesis faced the Fighting Fit Team fielding Brad, Archie, Shannon, AJ and Ven, to secure the victory. In the second round Genesis fought the Welsh Storm team who fielded a team with 2 girls and a fighter under 140cm. Genesis fielded a team to match which included Brad, Helene, Shannon, AJ and Waleed and again won picking up the gold in the semi contact team event.

Fighting Fit and Storm fought the fight of their lives to challenge Genesis in the final of the light contact section. With the crowd on their feet Storm fielded an under sized team member and two girls which required a girl to fight one of Fighting Fits boys. Overall it was a tight match but Fighting Fit were victorious and met Genesis in the Final.

Genesis final Team was lead of with semi contact specialist Brad Reeson fighting his first ever light continuous bout securing a victory by using his superior speed and movement to win. Shannon Barlow followed up with another win as did Archie Thomson. New comer Luke Simmons filled in a much need place and although was unable to secure the victory earned some valuable experience. Special thanks to Peter Felix from Nemesis Martial Arts for letting Genesis borrow his young protégé Sam to anchor the team and fill our missing spot and securing the Teams 4^th victory to secure victory once again.

Special thanks once again to parents Mohammed, Kevin and Stewart.

Cimac Superleague Windsor 27th May 2012 Results

Northants Open results 6th May 2012