World Karate Championships Japan 2008
Calum Robb - Bronze Male +80kg Kumite
Davy Coulter (Assistant Scotland Coach), Calum Robb, Gerry Flemming (Scotland Coach)
The 19th World ‘All Styles’ Karate Championships took place between the 13th and 16th November 2008 in Tokyo, Japan, the birthplace of the sport. Athletes from over a hundred countries and five continents, attended the most prestigious event on the karate calendar which is held every two years. Calum Robb, Lisa Cairns and Glen Mundell from the SKF represented Scotland.
Scotland Male Team: Calum Robb (Captain) - SKF, Frankie Murphy - CSKA, Glen Mundell - SKF, Craig Moffat - Sakai, Steven Murray - ASKF.
On Sunday, 16th November 2008, Calum fought in the Heavyweight category which had 62 entrants. In his first fight Calum beat the Kuwait fighter Basheer 5-1. Next was the Benin fighter Gahhou, who he beat by 3 points to nil. In the third round, Calum fought the Senegal fighter Diop, but the fight was drawn. However Calum was awarded the fight on a split decision. In the quarter final Calum met the French fighter Ibrahim Gary, but lost2 points to nil. The Frenchman went on to contest the Final and consequently Calum entered the repechage to contest the Bronze medal, and was matched against the Belraus fighter Hrachou, who he beat by 6 points to 1. In the fight off for the Bronze Calum met the Czech fighter Tucek, who he beat by 3 points to nil to lift the medal.
Calum Robb - World Bronze Medalist.
Calum was disappointed to lose to the Frenchman, but was delighted with his Bronze medal, not only for himself, but for his country. This is the first medal for Scotland at the World Senior Championships since the Great Britain Karate Team was disbanded in the late seventies. In addition Calum was the only fighter from the home countries, namely England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland to medal.
Calum Robb with the other medalists on the podium.