Put it down to the dazzling array of skill on show, from the likes of all the major styles out of Japan, Korea and China. Or because it provided a non-political ground where artists from all styles could come together to compete in a friendly, unbiased and mutually respectful environment. Whatever the reason, even in its inaugural year, England’s National All-Styles tournament circuit managed to capture the attention of the martial arts community like no other.

For this reason, while much of England was enjoying its morning slumber on Saturday December 2nd, a dense populace of excited spectators and anxious competitors had already built up outside the magnificent K2 Arena in Crawley.



Inside a dedicated and enthusiastic group of officials were making the final arrangements. Whilst no crowd were inside to witness this, the spirit of NAS was already on show. Among the volunteers were a number of instructors and high ranked black belt students, yet while heralding from a myriad of styles, today they would be working as one team. For these men and women, after years of receiving so much from martial arts training, it was about giving something back to the martial arts community.

The day got off to a flying start. From there on, it never looked back. The amazing sisters Kendal and Robyn Lane brought smiles to the whole audience with their weapons routine to music in the demonstrations division. These girls are so young but work tirelessly to perfect their art. Reece Fitzgerald of FSKD performed his form to the crowd, also entertaining was Rianna Nash and Jenny Beardwood, performing an excellently executed form whilst blindfold!

With spectacular trophies on offer, not to mention the prestige of a National title, competition was both fast and fierce. That said; excellent control was still on show as contact was kept to a bare minimum. This illustrates that instructors are not only teaching students to be highly skilled, but of equal importance, to control their mind and emotions when nerves are at peak levels, something they should all be proud of.



Of course with any competition, for every person who cries tears of joy after winning, there are countless others who have fallen short on their goals. For those people it was an opportunity to learn from the experience, re-set their goals and move forward as a martial artist because if it.

Black Belt Open Forms

The showcase of any tournament is the Black belt Open events, and as the afternoon grew nearer so did the anticipation for what was coming. Already a minor celebrity within the NAS, one of the ‘must see’ competitors of the tournament was Emma Elmes of ‘Silver Dragons’. Emma did not disappoint, showing just why she has already establish such a reputation. In taking out the Women’s Open Forms, she demonstrated her incredible precision in technique, not to mention the flexibility to rival any professional gymnast!

In the Men’s Form’s, it was Stewart Honeywill of Go-Kan-Ryu Karate who best held his nerves to take the honours in a very tight-knit affair.

Shortly after and the protective gear was donned for the Open Sparring. All Open competitors were divided into their weight category (Light, Middle and Heavy) with each then having a second chance at the Open Weight category. Once the four weight category winners had been established, they would then battle it out in a Champions division with the winner being crowned the ‘Champion of Champions’.


Women’s Open Championship Draw

It was Sabrina Annon of Go-Kan-Ryu Karate who took out the first title on offer taking the Women’s Lightweight title. She later backed up her good form taking out the Open Weight division leaving her as the favourite for the ‘Champion of Champions’ belt.

Someone who would prove a thorn in her side was Angela Kay (also of Go-Kan-Ryu Karate). While Angela had fallen short in the Open weights, as the experienced tournament campaigner and tactile fighter she is, she lifted her game in the Heavyweight division taking it out in style. Both Sabrina and Angela went in to the final with confidence, but in the end it was the experience and reach of Angela that proved the difference as Angela claimed the honour of being England’s first National All Styles Champion of Champions!.


Men’s Open Championship Draw

It was Simon Home of Go-Kan-Ryu Karate who opened the Men’s proceedings taking out the Lightweight title, nudging out Darren Chan, Chief Instructor of Fight Factory for the honours.

While he missed out in the Lightweights, a determined Darren Chan then lifted himself back up in the Open weights. He definitely seemed more at ease and held little back stunning the crowd with his display of spinning kicks to take out the Open-Weight title.

Elsewhere, it was the young and elusive Mitch Wilson, of Go-Kan-Ryu Karate, who proved too fast, taking out the Middleweight title while the cunning and experience of Richard Canton, of Canton Karate, helped him take out the National Heavyweight title.

In the Champions draw, it was Lightweight Champion, Simon Home and Middleweight Champion, Mitch Wilson who took the floor first. A very loud crowd reminded them of the importance of the bout as each started a little nervously.

It would be Mitch Wilson, backing his speed with confident attacks, who would prevail in the end earning his way to the final bout.

In the other draw, Open-weight Champion, Darren Chan was unable to compete due to sustaining an injury in his continuous sparring division. This saw Heavyweight Champion, Richard Canton advance through to the final.

3 minutes remained between these two men and the coveted Champion of Champions Belt. Once again the crowd lifted the roof, both fighters enjoying great support and each giving the crowd more reason to cheer, as they brought everything to the arena. As the final whistle blew the scores stood even. It was a storybook finish as the youth and speed of Mitch Wilson took on the experience and cunning of Richard Canton. As the extension of the bout was announced, the crowd, holding their breath, fell completely silent for the first time. It was Richard Canton who managed to score first and took the honours of being the UK’s first ever Male National All styles Champion of Champions.


History Made

So concludes an epic, emotionally charged first NAS National Titles and history in the making. All styles, all ages, all welcome to compete freely under a unified banner, the first ever UK Champions emerged and proved a showcase for the best of the best in UK martial arts. NAS has taken the UK by storm. We have many clubs from all areas of martial arts who have taken to our rules and beliefs in the spirit of NAS and have made this a truly exceptional and memorable year, culminating in a day and evening of like minded people coming together and expressing their love for their art and their respect for others.

A special mention goes out to all the Officials and Volunteers who have helped to make this inaugural year of NAS a most exciting and successful one. Thank you to all clubs for your support and enthusiasm that you have brought to the circuit. We are certainly excited to see you all in 2007!

Click to Download the UK Nationals Tournament Results for 2006