On Sunday 27th March 2011 six students from Sil Lum kune Bedworth took part in a San Shou competition at Shenley Leisure Centre in Milton Keynes. Marcus Boyce, Kian Shakouri, Brad Boyden, Lorigh Dumbleton, Cameron  Burkinshaw and Callum Burkinshaw.



San Shou is a full-contact kickboxing style of fighting which includes leg kicks, sweeps, take-downs and throws.
For some students this was a new experience as we predominantly do semi-contact in the classes and in some competitions.
The day began with all competitors meeting at the Academy in Bedworth. From there we made our way to Milton Keynes arriving at the Shenley Leisure Centre. First thing was all the fighters had to register, weigh-in and then have a medical check by a doctor to ensure all were fit and healthy to compete.

Once all had registered the competition started. First to fight was 11 year old Callum Burkinshaw who set the tempo for all to follow with a convincing display showing all aspects of his style. Callum continued this high tempo style winning his remaining fights to achieve a gold medal in his weight category.



Next up was his elder brother Cameron (13yrs old) who left off where his brother had finished once again a thoroughly, professional convincing victory in all his fights and again winning a gold medal in his weight category.



Lorigh was the next fighter up who had volunteered to fight a competitor who was in the adult class although being in junior class herself. This was Lorigh’s first full contact fight. Although Lorigh was not fortunate to win this fight she showed the heart and courage to keep fighting to the end of the bout.



In Lorighs next fight she fought a girl her own age and won this fight comfortably showing once again her grit and determination to succeed.


Lorigh won a silver medal. 

 
Our next fighter up was Brad who at 16 years old has been training at Sil Lum Kune for about 1 year now. This was Brad’s second competition and had put a lot of hard work and preparation in preparing for this competition feeling he wasn’t ready last year to give his best performance. All the hard work paid off as Brad gave an outstanding displace of skill domination an experienced opponent with ease and doing the academy proud with a solid win over his opponent.



Kian Shakouri was the next student to take to the mats, with a nervous start to the fight. Kian more than made up for it in the future rounds and fights by demonstrating good heart and determination combined with explosive punching power to win a gold medal.  

  

Last to fight was Marcus Boyce who like Lorigh and Brad was fighting for the first time at a full contact level. Marcus lost his first fight but went on to win his second and earn a bronze medal for his efforts. Overall I think all fighters enjoyed the day along with the spectators and gained a lot of experience and knowledge of full contact fighting which can only improve them in there fighting careers and represent Sil Lum Kune in another field of martial arts to which they are already well established. 

Personally I learnt a lot from this competition, the most challenging aspect was the build up to my first fight. I had previously entered a full contact competition but withdraw through illness two days before. Having came so close to competing before I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well. This combined with the long wait before my first fight made me feel the added pressure. 



On the day looking back I feel I did not perform as well as I thought I could have but I took a lot of positives from the event.
I feel that although it was a below par performance in my opinion I battled through to try and achieve the best result I could. Not winning the first but still opting to fight for third place made me feel better and I learnt a lot about myself and my determination. I must now use my experience from this competition to ensure my next one is a success and try to prepare better next time, not only technically but mentally too. 

written by Marcus Boyce