The (WKF) World Karate Federation’s World Championships stand out as the highlight of the worldwide Karate scene. From November 5 to 9, 2014, the worlds best competed in Bremen for legitimate World Champion status. This was the second time Evolution Martial Art’s instructor Raymond Morcomb had been to Germany for a karate tournament (after he won the Bavarian Open in 2010), but the first time he had contested an official WKF World Championships.
It has been 25 years since Ray began karate training and competition. Only recently has there appeared an emerging competition circuit for disabled karate athletes. For those of you who may not be aware, Ray has a visual impairment. In 2010 the German Karate Federation hosted the 2nd International Karate invitation for athletes with a disability. He was elated that the WKF had taken the initiative to provide a platform for disabled athletes. It was an event that he felt he must absolutely show support for and attend; not just to support visually impaired and blind athletes, but all disabled karate-ka including wheel-chair, amputee and intellectually impaired athletes. Until the Bavarian Open it was only able-bodied competition that Ray had entered. He recalls, “the crowd support for the disabled athletes was terrific; and the level of talent and courage shown by many of the competitors was remarkable.”
Following the success of the Bavarian Opens for athletes with a disability, the World Karate Federation announced a demonstration event at the World Championships in Paris, 2012. The athletes with a disability were handed the big stage and wowed the spectators. At the request of WKF President Antonio Espinos, Ray went on to perform again on finals day in a special demonstration of the kata Unsu, and receive a standing ovation from the crowd of 17,000.
Since the WKF announced that Bremen would host the first official World Championships for Athletes with a Disability, Ray began doing all he could to prepare. ‘Hard work ‘n’ Dedication’ is what Ray repeats when teaching at the dojo (and in his sleep we imagine) – and its also what he practices each day. Training mostly consisted of kihon, kata, stretching, stance work, makiwara, sprinting, kumite and boxing. The first hurdle was achieved by gaining selection onto the Australian Team for the championships. The final hurdle was first performing an outstanding kata, Unsu to reach the finals and lastly winning the event with kata Sochin. He has entered his name into the records as one of the inaugural World Champions for athletes with a disability. A record that its hoped will stretch for many more years and include many more names. Second place in Ray’s division was Yasushi Oba representing Japan and in 3rd place was Nicolai Bondarev representing Moldova.
Spectacular is an understatement of the thrilling event the WKF created in Bremen. The standard of competitors was brilliant, the competition was well run, very organised and it was an event to remember for spectators and athletes alike. If given the chance to attend a WKF World Championships Ray suggests that you drop everything and go!
Supporting Ray along the way were many wonderful people… not least of which are his family. Comp Karate Australia (Ian Basckin) set up a fundraising site to assist the team in raising the money they needed. Ray was ‘blown-away’ by the financial support shown by the Australian Karate Federation, NSW Karate Federation, students, friends and family – totalling $4,415. The support was timely with Ray’s wife Tanya away from work with their new baby. Coaches George Barounis Shihan (Head Coach) and Steve Kelly Sensei (Kata Coach) were terrific with the team during preparation and competition.
Particular mention must go to the wonderful photography and video James Carrett shot during the tournament week – some of which you can see here. James was also Rays travel companion for this trip to Europe as Wife Tanya was busy at home with their newborn son Sidney. James was extremely helpful and supportive to Ray and is also a good mate.
Ray now sits on the WKF Athletes Commission following the invitation from the WKF and chairperson of the commission Davide Benetello. It is a position he whole-heartedly hopes to embrace to support disabled karate athletes around the world and the WKF who are breaking new ground in the world of disability karate.
‘Thank you for the support toward my World Championships dream. I hope karate for athletes with a disability moves from strength to strength and allows its competitors to prove to themselves and to spectators that being disabled doesn’t need to mean that you are not able.” Ray.
Words by Evolution Martial Arts; Photography by James Carrett.
