Team Dojo returns from world championships showpiece with 199 medals

Forty-eight members of the 51 squad from The Dojo Karate Centre - based in Oldham, Rochdale and Middleton) - returned from the WMAGC World Championships in Norway with an amazing 199 medals (68 Gold, 77 Silver and 54 Bronze).

These 48 members were part of the 132 Team GB athletes who performed excellently against other countries to win its biggest ever international medal haul.

Team GB and Dojo Coach, Sensei Irfan Ansari, said: "I’d like to dedicate this year’s success to the phrase 'against all odds'.

"We were up against world class opposition, especially from Team USA who brought 250 athletes and were funded and fully supported.

"However, despite absolutely zero funding or support from any council for our athletes, and against all odds, parents worked really hard to skimp, save and borrow money to fulfil their child’s dream of attending the World Championships.

"Through their sheer dedication and our coaching methods, our competitors really raised their game and shone through to put us on the World map."

Another achievement by Team Dojo was, like last year at the European Championships, this year Team Dojo was again the largest individual club that represented their country at the World Championships, and, to have won such a large haul of medals.

Team Dojo members competed in many events, Kata, Weapons Kata, Pairs Kata, Team Kata, Kumite, Point Kickboxing, Self-defence, Continuous Kickboxing competitions.

Sensei Ansari was also given the honour to be 1 of 4 Rules Arbitrators for the World Championships, and received an award for all his work in preparing Team GB for the World Champs by the WMAGC Secretary General, Chris Hemstock.

Also, Sensei Natalie Dean from The Dojo Karate Centre was the Team GB Female Captain.

Team Dojo coach's were made up of Irfan Ansari, Jacki Lawrence, Huseyn Mikayilov, Isshaaq Ansari and Natalie Dean, who have worked tirelessly through the last year to raise performances of Team Dojo.

Thanks also to Assistant Coaches Jeet, Diya, Kisha, Maryam, Andrew, Helal, Saif, Robert, who all were at hand to help Coaches do their job efficiently mat-side.

Best performances from Team Dojo were from Abdullah Ishaq-Shahid (6 Golds, 2 Silvers, 3 Bronze).

From the Junior Squad Best performance was from Elonie Goodfellow (6 Golds, 2 Silvers, 2 Bronze).

From all the Adults in Team Dojo, best performance was from Sensei Natalie Dean (4 Golds, and 1 Silver).

Sensei Ansari said: "A special thanks has to go to the parents for their dedication, support for each other, camaraderie, joy and team work in making it go smoothly was great to see – long may it continue."

Anyone wishing to try out Martial Arts classes should book a trial class at: www.thedojo.net

The Dojo offers classes in Oldham, Rochdale, Middleton and Cheadle.

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