Karate Chris makes it a hat-trick of world titles (From Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News)

Karate Chris makes it a hat-trick of world titles

2:40pm Wednesday 31st October 2007

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KING Alfred School pupil Chris Bailey has won his third World Champion-ship gold medal in karate.

The Year 11 pupil, who lives at Brent Knoll, also won a bronze medal at the WTKA World Championships 2007 in Marina Di Carrara, Italy.

Over four days, he competed against entrants from Japan, Russia, USA, Brazil, South Africa and France in what were his fourth World Championships.

It was certainly his biggest and toughest tournament yet, featuring, in addition to karate, kickboxing and full-contact mixed martial arts.

Firstly, Chris won a bronze medal in the team kumite (points) section. He and England team-mates Jake Chapman (Taunton) and Michael Bond (Chase, Staffs) beat rivals from Scotland 3-0 for third place.

However, the best was yet to come, with an all-England final in the team kumite (traditional) section. Both England sides had done well to reach the finals, having beaten Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Poland.

The pressure was on, as this was Chris's final chance of the tournament to win a gold medal and retain his World Champion status. Their final opponents included two World Champions from the individual kumite sections held earlier that day.

However, Chris, Jake Chapman and Watford's Stephen Kemp were fired up and ready for the challenge. Chris was first onto the competition area, ready to challenge any of the three fighters from the opposing team. He got his team off to a good start by winning 3-1.

Second-up Stephen won 6-4, so their were crowned World Champions, receiving their gold medals, certificates and Samurai sword.

Chris now has nine world championship medals (three gold, three silver and three bronze from four World Championships). He would like to thanks Tony Slocombe (2nd Dan) and Clayton Murrain (7th Dan) for their excellent tuition over the years.

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