SSKC Club Competition 2008

Well done to everyone that took part in this years club competition.

The competition for the younger members is run in a fairly informal manner and is treated as a teaching and experience exercise for younger Karateka.

This year we had three separate age groups U9, U12 and U17.

The group photo, well done everyone!

Match 1 - U9 Kata

1st Lewis Coward, 2nd Jake Taylor, 3rd Nathan Dye

The U9's are 9th Kyus to Beginners, they all had to perform Heian Shodan, in a proper competition environment 1 Referee (Shihan Keith Gullen - 7th Dan) and 4 corner judges ( Sensei Andy Denby - 5th Dan, Sensei Bernard Schilke - 3rd Dan, Sensei Ian Culpan - 1st Dan, Sensei Helen Milner - 1st Dan).

As a slight twist to the normal Kata rules for these youngsters we had a mid Kyu grade standing slightly in front of them performing the kata as well. It is obvious to the judges who requires a little bit of assistance and who can perform the kata on their own. This leads to a far better experience of competition for the less proficient Karateka.

A special well done to Jake who has only been training a few weeks but surprised us all by his performance.

Match 2 - U12 Kata

1st Sam Dennis, 2nd Holly Bamford, 3rd Jamie Bellerby

In the under 12's a few of our karateka were missing, competitors were all 12th kyu or beginners except Sam who is a 3rd Kyu.

An excellent performance from Holly from Haxby, keep up the good work Holly and look forward to your grading in June.

Jamie, you are progressing well, you have potential to do really well if you want to apply yourself, keep up the practising.

Match 3 - U17 Kata

1st Dominic Schilke, 2nd Rebecca Brant, 3rd Georgia Denby

Well done Dominic, 1st place and the TSB Cup, but a very hard slog to get there. Dom met Georgia in the Semi Final and the judges awarded a draw on the first two katas, and Dom only got through to the final on the third attempt. Georgia, one more flag in the semi final and you could have easily been the winner, a very respectable 3rd place. Dom and Rebecca will not be competing next year as they will both be too old!

Dom also put himself through some pain in the final, why is one kata never enough? More split decisions and more kata. When you start with Bassai Dai you don't have much breath left for the next kata. When Shihan announced Heian Godan I saw a horrified look on Rebecca's face. I could see that the "frozen kata" had struck again.... Rebecca limped through most of the Kata before it came to a grinding halt. This was not a win by default at all, Dom's kata has got stronger and stronger over the last 6 months and 1st place was well deserved.

Match 4 - u9 Kumite

1st Braden Poskitt, 2nd Lewis Coward, 3rd Nathan Dye

We obviously don't start U9's with freestyle sparing, but what we did was a knee boxing competition. A point is scored when the opponents knee is touched in the form of an attack. Competitors have to move and react as in sparring, with a good stance, looking for an opportunity. This is an excellent drill for developing kumite movement.

Braden who has only been training for a few weeks came away with a surprising win, beating the far more experienced Lewis and Nathan. Not bad for a lad that was adamant that karate was not for him, Braden, quite the tactician.

Match 5 - U12 Kumite

1st Holly Bamford, 2nd Sam Dennis, 3rd Jamie Bellerby

The U12's progressed to the next level, Gohon kumite, the judges making a decision on which karteka performance was more proficient.

A win for Haxby dojo, well done Holly. A reflection on Sensei Mike's Kihon training and an excellent student as well. Your form is far ahead of your grade. Sam attacked hard and a little faster than perhaps Holly is used to as a 12th Kyu. A clash of legs now and again lead to a slight limp as Holly came to collect her certificate for 1st place. It was like a re-run of David and Goliath, Holly had just beaten Sam who is 9 grades her senior!

Match 6 - U17 Kumite

1st Dominic Schilke, 2nd Rebecca Brant, 3rd Daniel Kozelko

U17's Kumite is run as a mixed event mainly due to numbers for a club competition. However don't think our young ladies are at a disadvantage. Lucy put up a very strong fight against Sam and was unlucky not to progress to the Semi finals. Rebecca "the psycho" Brant just doesn't seem to know what sidewards or backwards means, just forwards. A very good competition for all, Sam competed in the U17's as well as the U12's because of his grade. Both Sam and Daniel had strong matches and displayed good skills.

I think the parents were a little surprised to see the massive step up in a Shobu-Ippon competition, Dominic and Daniel had a very strong match, but with good control.

The final was fought as Shobu-Sanpon (3 points or 6 half points as it was). Dom was not daunted by Rebecca's style and scored some lovely gyaku-zukis. He did have a couple of Jogai (foot faults) where the area never seemed to be big enough to stop Rebecca advancing. Dom appeared to be on the back foot most of the time but still managed to win Sanpon to Ippon (3 to 1) and was awarded the Kumite Cup.

Many thanks to Shihan Keith for being our Referee, Sensei Andy, Sensei Ian Culpan, Sensei Bernard ( currently retired but not thrown his gi away yet), Sensei Helen (don't drop any more wardrobes on yourself) for judging and Jim and Lorraine from Haxby for gereral assistance which is always needed on the day.

We will try and put a plan in place for another competition in the Autumn, all being well.

FA Update

Many thanks to Janice and Ian from Mears Construction for their contribution to Facing Africa following the Sheffield 1/2 marathon, another £125 to the pot.
You both looked far too comfortable at the half way point, you must have sneaked some serious training in, well done both of you!

Ten No Kata

Last Night Sensei Andy taught the begineers, while the rest of us were sent off to practise Heian Shodan.

We were asked to practise in drill formation, The first nine moves going forward then turning and the rest of the moves coming back.

The all moves going forward and progressing to all moves stepping back.

We than performed Heian Shodan, Heian Shodan Ura, Heian Shodan Go and Heian Shodan Go Ura.

It gave us quite a bit to think about, on our return into the main dojo we went through Heian Shodan, Ura, Go and Go Ura, then Heian Nidan Ura, Go and Go Ura and then Heian Sandan.

A few times through Heian Sandan (normal) for a few karateka working towards gradings and then Sensei taught Ten No Kata.

TEN NO KATA

1. MIDDLE LEVEL THRUST PUNCH Chudan Oi-zuki
From Yoi, left hand Tate Shuto, step forward into right front stance with right front punch. Return to Yoi by withdrawing right foot. Repeat on other side.

2. UPPER LEVEL THRUST PUNCH Jodan Oi-zuki
From Yoi, left hand Tate Shuto, step forward into right front stance with right upper level front punch. Return to Yoi. Repeat on other side.

3. MIDDLE LEVEL REVERSE PUNCH Chudan Gyaku-zuki
From Yoi, left hand Tate Shuto step forward with left leg into front stance, with right reverse punch. Return to Yoi. Repeat on other side.

4. UPPER LEVEL REVERSE PUNCH Jodan Gyaku-zuki
From Yoi, left hand Tate Shuto step forward with left leg into front stance with right upper level reverse punch. Return to Yoi. Repeat on other side.

5. DOWNWARD BLOCK, MIDDLE LEVEL REVERSE PUNCH Gedan-barai, Chudan Gyaku-zuki
From Yoi, step back with right leg into front stance, with left downward block. Strike with right middle level reverse punch. Return to Yoi by bringing right foot forward. Repeat on other side.

6. MIDDLE LEVEL INSIDE FOREARM BLOCK, MIDDLE LEVEL REVERSE PUNCH Chudan Uchi-Uke, Chudan Gyaku-zuki
From Yoi, step back with right leg into front stance, with left inside to outside block. Strike with right middle level reverse punch. Return to Yoi by bringing right foot forward. Repeat on other side.

7. MIDDLE LEVEL SWORD HAND BLOCK, MIDDLE LEVEL SPEAR HAND ATTACK Chudan Shuto -Uke, Chudan Nukite
From Yoi, step back with right leg into the back stance, with left sword hand block. Shift from back stance to front stance and strike with right middle level spear hand attack. Return to Yoi by bringing right foot forward. Repeat on other side.

8. UPPER LEVEL RISING BLOCK, MIDDLE LEVEL REVERSE PUNCH Jodan Age-uke, Chudan Gyaku-zuki
From Yoi, step back with right leg into the front stance, while raising left arm in an upper level rising block. Strike with right middle level reverse punch. Return to Yoi by bringing right foot forward. Repeat on other side.

9. UPPER LEVEL SWORD HAND SWEEP, UPPER LEVEL REVERSE PUNCH Jodan Shuto-barai, Jodan Gyaku-zuki
From Yoi, step back with right leg into front stance, while swinging the left hand upward in an arc to block with a sword hand at eye level. Strike with right upper level reverse punch. Return to Yoi by bringing right foot forward. Repeat on other side.

10. UPPER LEVEL IRON HAMMER BLOCK, MIDDLE LEVEL REVERSE PUNCH Jodan Soto-uke(Uchikomi),Chudan Gyaku-zuki
From Yoi, step back with right leg into the front stance, while performing outside to inside block with left hand. Strike with right middle level reverse punch. Return to Yoi by bringing right foot forward. Repeat on other side.

Sensei explained how ten no kata was used prior to Gohon, Sanbon and Ippon kumite as a stepping stone to free style. How Ten No Kata is expanded on as a training kata for beginners , intermediate and advanced karateka.

I like this sort of training and am looking forward to it development over the next few weeks.

21st/22nd June Course and Grading

Our next course and grading is only seven weeks away, unfortunately I am away in June and my last training night will be 1st June.
Over the next few weeks I will need to sort out licences and fees etc so we are all ready.

25th May - Club Competition

The Club Competition will be held on the 25th May, there will be categories for the lower grades this year, the competition is designed as a learning teaching experience, prior to the IJKA Europeans in August and the JKS open in November.

AGM - date change

The AGM will be held on the 11th May not the 5th May, please attend if you can.

Italy in August

I need to finalise our plans in the next couple of weeks, accommodation at village Ge-Tur just down the road from Venice needs to be booked and the closing date is only a few weeks away.
Total budget costings are £500 for Karateka and £450 for non Karateka, please let me know asap, thanks Paul

27th April - IJKA Irish Open

I was hoping to be in Gibraltar training and then was committed to Facing Africa and the Sheffield 1/2 Marathon so I didn't go to Ireland.
Rebecca went on her own, she flew from Newcastle to Cork where Claire picked her up and kept an eye on her until Monday when she flew back.
She was a little apprehensive about competing in the 16 to 18 age group as she is only 16 and 1 month.
Rebecca WILL be posting further details but she was very pleased to come away with a third place in Kata and a second in Kumite.
Well done Becks.

Facing Africa Update

19th April 2008 - I did a quick 10 minute presentation to my Squadron at Halton in Lancaster, the power point show is quite moving and really only suitable for Adults. The lads now have a bit more of an idea of what we are raising money for.

20th April 2008 - Over the weekend we had a reporter from the Star in Sheffield with us, he wanted to know more about Noma and the Facing Africa charity, a 20 min chat and a spot in the paper.

27th April - Sheffield 1/2 Marathon

106 Fd Sqn RE (v) provide an essential water stop

Approx 5000 runners passed our water stop, most of the elite runners didn't bother to stop but the service was greatly appreciated by many.

Charlotte - sporting the 106 facing Africa t shirt

Finishing 1st of the female 106 runners (the only female runner) but in a very respectful time, well done

"Pricey" water on the go

One of our best runners and part of our team that came a very respectful 2nd with an average time of around 1hr 35mins, beating around 60 other teams many from athletic clubs. Not bad from a unit that tries to match hard work with hard drinking.

"Chads" digs in deep

Chads - not the fastest on the course but what an effort, you don't have to be an athlete to put yourself through a bit of pain to raise a few quid for Facing Africa.

About 15 members of the Squadron ran, Facing Africa was a bit of an after thought, the main fund raising effort will be at camp in June when I hope to organise a 10k run run.

I will up date what we have raised when I get some details.

5/6th April B&B belt course - Whitchurch

Helen, Rebecca, Simon (from Haxby), Sensei Keith and myself travelled to Whitchurch.
I was very much under the weather but Helen, Simon and Rebecca managed to stay up to 5.30 in the morning drinking with those infamous Irish Karateka who always seem to lead us sobrietious English astray.
What Rebecca didn't know was Sensei Kato had decided to grade her for Shodan first thing Sunday morning.
Rebecca WILL be posting her experiences of grading, watch this space.....
The course had a focus on brown belts preparing for grading and on the 3rd and 4th Dans who were also tested with there knowledge of Kata and instruction.
Sensei had some encouraging words for Simon, a reflection of his efforts over the last 6 months, well done.

Sensei Helen plays away

Sensei Helen our own little "pocket Soco"(Scene of crime officer) is back after 3 months of working in the south of the country.
Helen WILL be posting her experiences of training away with both the IJKA and the JKS, watch this space.
Helen's bit...
As many of our regular club members will be aware I have not long since returned from a 3 month contract down in Suffolk, working with their Bury scenes of crime team. (Finally 3 years in Middleborough has paid off).
However this did mean that I had to leave the club for what was an uncertain amount of time. Regular readers of the blog may have read a short note on the Christmas meeting about my leaving for Suffolk.
Luckily for me I didn’t have to take a 3 month break from training. I found a JKS club in Cambridge run by Sensei Bill Rogers. Sensei Bill used to train with Sensei Kato many years ago and knows Sensei Ash quite well also.
Whilst in Suffolk I got to train twice a week with Sensei Bill’s lessons on a Tuesday and Sensei Pete’s lesson on a Thursday. This gave the students the opportunity to get different types of training and allowed the instructors to take a break from teaching and concentrate on their own karate.
The club consisted mainly of black belts with a couple of brown and purple belts, so training was quite hard which was very nice. There were no children in the club only adults which helped to keep the level of the train quite high. Each session was either physically or mentally challenging, but well worth the effort that everyone put in.
Training at the new club gave me a kick big of enthusiasm. Each Session I felt I had to prove my worth, like I deserved to train at this club with other black belts, especially as I had been so openly accepted into the club and I was in essence representing my club and instructor. I would like to thank everyone at the Cambridge club for welcoming me to their club, even for such a short time. A big thank you to Sensei Bill and Sensei Pete for giving me that burst of enthusiasm that we all need every once in a while. Thank you and I hope that I get the chance to train with you all again some time as I enjoyed every session and every bruise I gained.

Thanks Helen for sharing your training experience.

What happened to April?

Not one post in April, Sorry...
I have had a few phone calls and a couple of e mails to check to see if I was still alive. I would like to have a decent excuse but no...just not enough hours in a day or days in a week.
I will put a few short posts with headlines to bring everyone up to speed and pad out with some further detail over the next few days.
I will go and do some lines....
I must post something every week...
I must post something every week...
I must post something every week...
I must post something every week...
I must post something every week...

Training with Alan Campbell 5th Dan JKS

Today Helen,Rebecca, Dave, Daniel, Sam, myself and Simon (from Haxby dojo) travelled to Nottingham to train on Sensei Alan Campbell's Black and Brown belt course.
The 90 minute drive there for the three hour training session was well worth it.

I was especially pleased that Sam and Daniel joined us, at 11 & 12 years old it is quite a massive leap to B&B trg.

Daniel told me that he was expecting a full cooked breakfast and a nap on his B&B trg, no bed and breakfast, but there was a great course pitched at karateka that need to start thinking for themselves. Jion and its application was yet another leap for Sam and Daniel.

Sam and Daniel, I was very proud of your efforts today and surprised to see you again training at our dojo tonight, that was 6 hours of Karate in the one day!

Next weekend, Sensei Kato's B&B course at Whitchurch, any club members that would like to attend please let me know asap.

Sensei Alan, many thanks for your hospitality again, we hope to be back soon, Osu!

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New Slideshow

I thought it was about time to update the slide show, it is now in the sidebar just below the "about" section.
You can click on the tab below the slide show to take you to photobucket to view full size or download for your own use.

Karate Kihon

This Sunday a few of us are travelling down to Sensei Alan Campbell's dojo in Nottingham, Chairman of the JKS GB and Ireland. The videos below are Sensei Campbell's Sensei, Kagawa Shihan.

I was talking to Dom yesterday (a keen brass band fanatic) : Why when you are learning a musical instrument you would do a few hours personal practice each week between lessons, but most karateka just turn up each week and can't understand why it takes so long to progress?

Below are some awesome karate tutiorials from Kagawa Shihan 8th Dan JKS to help with that little bit of extra practice at home, Osu!


Above: Oi Zuki Chudan


Above: Gyaku Zuki Chudan


Above: Zenkutsu-dachi


Above: Kokutsu-dachi


Above: Shuto Uke


Above: Uchi Uke


Above: Soto Uke


Above: Age Uke


Above: Haito Uchi


Above: Uraken Uchi


Above: Mae Geri Keage


Above: Mawashi Geri


Above: Yoko Geri Keagae


Above: Yoko Geri Kekomi


Above: Ushiro Geri

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Embeded Karate

I have two levels of Karate heros that inspire me:

1st - the technically brilliant, the natural karateka (Sensei Asai / Kato etc) and
2nd - normal karateka that have struggled to progress for years ( Sensei Trevor Jinks / Sensei Mireille Clark)

It is easy to maintain drive and commitment if you have natural ability and success. What I find more inspiring are those Karateka that just steadily worked away trying to improve their karate, they will probably never be a high dan grade / senior instructor. They will not have success in national competition or have international acclaim, but they strive to be the best they can.

Sensei Trevor who is now in his seventies, he attends as many classes as possible and it is obvious that he also follows a personal training regime outside the dojo.

Sensei Mireille (a fellow blogger) is a "Mom of 7" and is always looking for additional karate training opportunities. Follow the link in the sidebar to her walk up Shotokan Mountain to learn more.

Sensei Mireille will try and adapt every day activities into her personal training to aid improvement in her karate, where and when can I get in some extra training in?

The penny dropped when I was talking to my Sister in law, in law, she was talking about her mother (a very sweet lady who is a devout christian) . "Mum enjoys washing up and driving, these are her main times for talking to Jesus".

I do like to consider myself as a Christian, but I don't take time out communicating, it tends to be when something has gone very wrong in life...anyway. I thought what a great idea, I can train while I drive... On my way home from Aldershot and the AMAA competition I managed to do over three hours of kata training. Karate while driving seems to be best suited to clear motorway driving, not busy roads. I think it is more difficult to perform kata in your head than physically. It is all good training though.

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Dom's Bassai Dai

They reckon one of the best ways to improve your kata is to video it and see what it looks like from the other side.

Dom, your kata has improved a lot over the last few months, excellent work in progress. The next area to concentrate on is heels, you seem to have most of your weight on the ball of the foot, even when you should be driving from the heel. If you can improve this one point it will improve your kata 100%.

Osu!

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AMAA Competition 15th March 2008

Above: Tetley Gym - Fox Lines - Army School of Physical Training

The Army Martial Arts Assocation competition was last Saturday, a fair trip from North Yorkshire but well worth the 450 mile round trip.

In the photo above you see Karate in the foreground, Kendo to the centre and Taekwondo on the far mat, a true celebration of martial arts.

The karate was to WKF rules, under the direction of Washinkai's founder and chairman Shihan Chris Thompson 8th Dan. It was nice to see so many competitors this year, I hope this is a contuining trend.

I was dissappointed with my overall performance, but I did benefit a great deal from attending. By competting I have come away with some clear challanges for the future:

1. Prepare, prepare and prepare to prevent piss poor performance.


2. Loose some of that excess weight, WKF rules to 8 points in kumite nearly killed me.


3. Focus on the Karate core kata and park the "nice to haves", I must concentrate on Bassai, Jion, Kanku, Empi and just one advanced kata (at the moment).
   

I have started to work on Nijushiho, still needs loads and loads of work but is slowly progressing. I thaught I would have a go but then found out that there would be two rounds of personal selected kata for Dan grades, I selected Bassai Dai and managed to freeze half way through. Not quite sure why, lack of concentration, too much concentration?

My string on Karate Underground "TheFrozen Kata" has proved quite popular. I hope you find it interesting.

I am sure that you will find that I will introduce a few of the replies into our training shortly. If your interested please follow the link below:

The frozen Kata

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Sunday Training - 9th March 2008

This Sunday my theme of training was movement and turning, general rules of when to turn on the ball of the foot and when to turn on the heel. We also looked at examples of turning on a ball/heel combination.

We explored the need for use of the hips in movement and the transfer of weight to a position directly above the pivot point of the turns.

Most Karateka had few problems with 90 and 180 degree turns but 360 degree spins did cause problems for most, a little more work required I think?

We then went onto Kata the class divided into two groups side by side.

I taught the beginners Di-Ichi and the coloured belts Mawari-No-Kata, I believe the Di katas were devised by Asai Shihan and Mawari-No-Kata was devised as a training Kata by Koller Shihan, you can see the strong influences of Asai Shihan within the kata, in the turning and spinning movements.

I have always liked to teach Di-Ichi to beginners because it is straight forward with little to confuse them. I also like it because of the power that you can develop in stepping forward punching Gyaku-Zuki rather than Oi-Zuki, perhaps it is just my personal preference.

I found that by teaching the beginners one move one count and the coloured belts two punches to each count (except on turns) that the katas were the same length. Quite handy when you are teaching two kata at the same time to two groups. At least the first four moves of both Kata are the same.

I was trying to explain principles of movement rather than say this is how you do this move in this kata, I hope that it gave you all something to think about?

After the beginners had finished, I quickly ran through both Di-Ni and Di-San, two kata that I have not done for quite a while. Just a quick introduction to a couple of kata outside the normal grading kata but very useful in our development. I hope you enjoyed the departure from the norm?

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Bowling with Haxby Club

On Monday Rebecca, Claire and I went bowling with Haxby Club.

A great night out, many thanks to Lorraine for organising us all, see you on Thursday.

More details on Haxby's web site, follow the link in the side bar.

Kato Shihan - 8th Dan IJKA

Above: Kato Shihan in Bulgaria

This is the first Video that I have seen of Sensei on you tube, only recently posted. I hope there are more to follow.

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Asai Shihan - Makiwara Training

Above : Asai Shihan Makiwara Training

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Facing Africa online donation link updated

Facing Africa have set up an online donation page for me.
I have updated the link in the sidebar so it will take you straight there.
Payments can be made securely and you can make a gift aid declaration, so the charity get that important little bonus courtesy of the tax man.

Facing Africa Appeal

On Saturday night at my TA unit we held our annual event to commemorate the battle of Rorkes drift, after a very social drinking game while watching Zulu we held a raffle.

I would like to thank members of 106 Royal Engineers for their contribution of £135 towards facing Africa.

A number of the Squadron will also be running the Sheffield half marathon in April, for our appeal.

Rebecca is hoping to raise some money through her house at school, more details to follow.

If you can think of any other ways that between us we can help, please drop me an e mail.

During the year we would like to raise enough money to cover the cost of two major reconstructive surgeries. The £135 is a great start, many thanks.

More details about Facing Africa can be viewed in the sidebar.

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The Shotokan Way Article

I had a mail from Ian Culpan yesterday saying congratulations on getting my article published in the above publication.
I had submitted it last year and had not thought any more about it.
The article was posted on this blog first some time ago, if you didn't read it please follow the link below:

http://www.theshotokanway.com/ourmastersvoice.html
The Article was Kato Shihan's comments on respect for our western instructors.

There is always the link in the sidebar to the shotokan way, it is worth checking the site out regularly.

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Kato Shihan Course and Grading - York

I always say, "What a brilliant Course", but this weekend surpassed many others. Between the three clubs, Haxby, Selby and York we had 43 students grading and had about 60 karateka attending the training course.

A few quick thank yous, firstly Sensei, thank you again for visiting York and passing on a little of your knowledge.

Sensei Paul (from the Whitchurch mafia) for teaching at Haxby on Thursday night and entertaining us on the course and Saturday night.

Shihan Keith and Sensei Mike for supporting the course and grading, a special mention for Sensei Ian Shaw without whom these weekends would not take place.

Sensei Melina from Bulgaria, as Sensei's uke and our teacher of Heian Yondan.

To our visiting Karateka from other asscociations and Jordon who travelled 200 miles to train with sensei.

Last but not least thank you to all our karateka, especially our junior members, we had quite a few 6 to 8 year olds grading for the first time, you were all very well behaved.

Above: The Course Photo

If you trained this weekend you will know what a great course it was. Please pass this on to your fellow karateka who missed out. We are so fortunate to have Sensei teach, three or four times a year and every effort should be made to train whether grading or not.

Above: Kihon Training

The lower grades are partnered with the higher grades, Sensei casts a critical eye across the class. It is amazing how you loose any ability to tell left from right when Sensei is standing close to you.

Above: Sensei Kato - food with friends

There is a time for training and a time for socialising, a bite to eat and a few beers......and a few beers more........

Above: Sensei Paul enjoyed a good night out!

Following demonstrations of ushiro geri in the pub to the delight of a captive audience and the dismay of some OAP's trying to eat their lunch, Sensei Paul kept up his light hearted instruction well into the evening.......not sure why he didn't make training on the Sunday? Sensei I hope we made you feel welcome, please come back soon.

At Haxby on Thursday there were a few of us from Selby, the like of Claire, Emma and Phoebe had never seen this style of teaching before...I think you have a fan club in Yorkshire Sensei Paul.

Above: Haxby Karateka Belt training

Sensei had the belts off for this part of the session, with the youngsters it was a little more timid than usual. I had a little trouble with the drop down and mawashi geri jodan from the crouched position. No standing up first...direct route...No Scotland...York...London...direct express!

Above: Sensei Kato - attacking with the heel

Sensei instruction included the importance of correct path for the attack and using all parts of the body / foot to attack. Heel, sole of the foot, ball.....

Above: Sensei Kato - Usherio Mawashi-geri

Above: Sensei kato blocks befor Yoko Geri

Many students tried to short cut yoko geri, this MUST follow the correct route, knee up to the front and thrust to target.

Above: Yoko geri attack

Above: Emma - Yoko Empi

Emma demonstrates Zanshin with her attack during her kihon combination

Above: Claire during Kumite Exam

Claire puts an awkward karateka in his place during the kumite phase

Above: Josh attacks Simon from Haxby club

Josh, what can I say! Josh came a very close second in the Trevor Jinks cup last year, and wow did you prove us right in ackowledging your commitment. We have seen such a marked improvement in the past 6 months, unbelievable.

Josh was partnered with Simon from Haxby who came away with a commended pass from Sensei Kato, a real achievement. I am sure that Simon helped to lift Josh's game.

I was so proud of Josh, during his kata exam he made a mistake and frooze right in front of the grading desk with Kato Shihan 8th Dan IJKA World Chief instructor looking over the top of his glasses at him......

Josh took one step back ..rei.. and said "can I start again please Sensei"...Sensei nodded...

Josh took 3 or 4 paces back... rei and then performed Heian Godan as strong and as well as I have ever seen him perform it before..

Not taking anything away from Josh, but my thanks also to Sensei Andy Denby your work with our students over the last few months was evident in their gradings, Osu!

Above: Dom and Dan

Dom progressed to temp 1st kyu and Dan and Sam had theit temp 3rd Kyu removed and became full 3rd kyu. This is a half grade for all three of you but let me put this in perspective.

Dom has progressed to his current grade in record time, I think he has never missed a grading. Rebecca has trained since she was five, she had a couple of years off, so lets say she has trained for eight years to reach 1st Kyu and you have reached 1st Kyu in less than half of that time, this is achievement indeed.

Dan and Sam, at twelve and just turned eleven you have both now completed all your junior grades and have completed seven adult gradings. You are both well on the way to adult Shodan in your early teens.

Enjoy your time as a brown belt, these are good times, relax and broarden your foundations, most importantly enjoy your karate. Think ahead to B&B belt training at Whitchurch and may be a competition later in the year.

Above: Georgia and Kato Shihan

Shihan had a special mention for Simon from Haxby and Georgia and Michael from Selby, all had strong gradings.

Sensei's general comments on the whole of the gradings was that some elements of kata were poor...stances were not as strong as they should be. We must all try hard and strive to maintain the high standards of the IJKA.

Above: Sensei Mike,Melina and Shihan Keith

The above photo was spoilt by the two old grey haired blokes, but I thought I would post it anyway....more press-ups for me next week I think?

Above: SSKC Karateka with Sensei Kato

Selby had twenty two students grade, nineteen to full grade and three temporary passes, an excellent result considering the limited preparation because of Christmas and the early date of the course, well done to you all.Osu!

The Table of kyu grades has been updated in the sidebar, just click on your name to go to your individual member page. Please check that the link and post is correct, please e mail me with any up-dates.

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Rebecca set for European Championships 2008

Above: Rebecca in Budapest in 2007

Rebecca has her sights on Italy in August and the IJKA European karate championships and has received a tremendous boost this weekend when a cheque for £550 arrrived in the post.

The Cheque was from the Goodricke Appeal Fund; that supports deaf young people inYork and North Yorkshire. Rebecca had sent details to The Goodricke Appeal fund via the hearing support team at Selby, they not only met the full projected cost, but also provide a little extra for some spending money.

Rebecca has to carefully balance studying for her exams in the summer and preparing for the championships. In preparation Rebecca hopes to compete in the Irish open Shotokan Championships on the 27th April 2008, because of school requirements it will have to be a flying visit flying to Cork on the Saturday and back early Monday morning. Rebecca will have just turned sixteen and will have to compete in the under 19 catogries, this may prove to be a big step up.

Rebecca would like to publicaly thank the Goodricke Appeal Fund and the support that she has recieved from Pauline Leddy from the Hearing Support Team at Selby over the last Seven years.

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