Ohta Sensei 7th Dan JKA in York

Above & Below : Ohta sensei 7th Dan JKA

Ohta Sensei will be teaching in York Saturday 17th July 2010. Hosted by : York Karate Academy
Organiser : Mendham Sensei - 4th Dan - York Karate Academy
Time: 13.00 to 15.30 hrs
Cost : £10.... yes only £10!
Venue: Joseph Rowntree Secondary School (Sports Centre)
Haxby Road, New Earswick, York, YO32 4BZ.
Contact: Sensei Paul 07930 853555

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SSKC on tour - Vienna - Austria

Kelvin writes........

This summer I decided to attend a 3 day international surgical conference which was this year based in Vienna(what a hardship!) I had some important preparation to do, however, before attending. I always try to get some form of recreation in when I go away, often packing gym/running gear in the vain hope of fulfilling this lofty goal. Then a revelation hit me….Karate.Could I manage to get a training session in whilst in Austria.

I managed to contact 2 clubs who replied, both were keen to have me training but only one was training on nights I would be there. This was Karate Union Wien (JKA): web address www.karate-kurse.at. So I packed my gi, put it in a rucksack & after the day’s machinations in a very historic medical lecture theatre took myself off, directions in hand to their dojo. Shunning an evening of food & wine with my surgical colleagues. It was quite a walk but I had been given good directions by Marcus. (1st Kyu)

The dojo was compact & bijou, there were 2 rooms in which 3 classes were run, beginners, coloured belts &, black & brown belts. The training was similar to ours, as was the mix of karateka, with kihon, kumite & kata. Great use was made of limited space. I was invited to be with the black & browns, starting with kihon then concentrating on kata as the gradings were approaching. From memory; we went through, Bassai dai, kanku dai, empi, jion & hangetsu. Finishing with some light sparring rotations.

I was treated extremely courteously & made to feel very welcome. The instruction I received was fantastic. As a bonus the session was run in English. Like us they have a sister club…In Salzburg! 4 hours by car.Their grading is in Munich. So no excuses for us! After this I was taken to a non tourist Viennese bar to sample the local wares before walking back through a beautiful city on a warm summer’s night.I must thank those who made my visit special, namely, Andreas Jericha (2nd Dan) and Franz Peischl (3rd Dan), Franz Winter, Stefan Quadlbauer, Michael Fangor & last but not least Marcus Poglitsch with whom I corresponded.

Karate whilst on tour? Most definitely!

Many thanks Kelvin for a very interesting review, more of the same from Selby Karateka please and remember don't go anywhere without your gi... (and send me the photos and write up to post), Osu!

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More Shotokan and Asai Ryu Kata videos uploaded

I have uploaded a few more kata from Latvia and mainstream old JKA kata with Bunkai

• Jurokupo
• Juroppo
• Gyaku Zuki No Kata
• Zenkutsu Dachi No Kata
• Kiba Dachi No Kata
• Fushu (Kaze No Te) ( Wind Hands)
• Bassai Dai
• Kanku Dai
• Jitte

If you follow the link to my kata page and double click on the kata name, it will take you to the video of the kata selected.

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Shotokan & IJKA Kata

More Asai Ryu Kata Uploaded

I have uploaded a few more kata from Latvia,

• Joko Sansei
• Joko Yonsei
• Di Ni (Dai Ni Ken)
• Di San (Dai San Ken)
• Di Yon (Dai Yon Ken)
• Kokutsu Dachi No Kata

Joko Sansei and Yonsei are as I remember Sensei Brian Toomey and Sensei Kato teaching them at Whitchurch Hombu dojo.

However I have a totally different recollection of the Di kata. I remember Kato Sensei teaching them nearly 10 years ago, but I am not sure if they evolved many times, like most of the Asai kata. I discussed the Dai kata with Sensei Stacey from Tuam when I was over there and I believe that IJKA Ireland follow the kata similar to those practiced in Latvia, but I would be interested in your comments.

Kato Sensei also taught Kokutsu Dachi No Kata a few years ago. I was working on my back stance at the time and I was also exploring some of the Dan grade kata like Kanku Sho. This Kata greatly assisted a small level of improvement in my back stance and helped with transition of weight while moving.

If you follow the link to my kata page and double click on the kata name, it will take you to the video of the kata selected.

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Shotokan & IJKA Kata

Sensei Andre Bertel and Nick Gardiner

Above : Asai Ryu Kihon

It looks like Sensei Nick was well and truely on the receiving end of Asai Ryu karate. Osu!

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Look forward - Japan August 2011

Japan August 2011?

The IJKA are in the early stages of planning a trip to Japan in August 2011. I know it is eighteen months away, but it is worth considering sooner rather than later.

No details are known at the moment, but I would expect costs to be in the region of £2,500 per head, for the whole trip.

It is a life long ambition of many karateka to train at some stage along "the way" in Japan and these opportunities do not come along often. It is normal to fund a trip by a mix of sponsorship and personal contribution.

If any SSKC member is interested in training in Japan in August 2011 can you let me know soonest?

My feeling is that as a club we would need to consider our fundraising opportunities over the next 18 months. If we wait until the details are firmed up in 2011 it would leave little time to fund raise or save a significant personal contribution.

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New Year - New Blogs

January 2010 has brought us two new blogs, in addition to the new IJKA website.....

John McCarthy has started the Fermoy Shotokan Karate Club blog, the Hombu dojo of IJKA Ireland, run by Ireland's Chief Instructor - Toomey Sensei - 6th Dan.
John's blog is still under construction but well worth a look.

Marie and Malcolm Murphy, Kohai of Sensei Stacey at Tuam have started the Faolchu Martial Arts Club. Marie has been a long time follower of martial arts and has used her child care training with her martial arts knowledge to develop specialised sessions for children from 4 to 8 years.

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Fermoy SKC Blog

Faolchu MAC Blog

Thank you Sensei

Many thanks to Sensei Mike Gude - 5th Dan - Senior Instructor Haxby Shotokan Karate Club for travelling to Selby to take our younger members, while we held our club meeting.

Our senior members also enjoyed a session of Sensei Mike's kumite training for the last thirty minutes of training. Osu!

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New Links added

I have added a few links to other clubs within the IJKA.
Just click on the links button in the sidebar to follow the progress of:

IJKA Bucks main site and their blog
A new IJKA Bucks site just started by Dr Jonathan Lyons 5th Dan and blog written by a kohai. Well worth a look, you might even appear on their site or blog if you can attend the course with Kato Sensei at Radnage on the 7th March.

IJKA Stornaway
I would love to visit Sensei John Murray 4th Dan in Stornoway. Every time I look at the weather I look up at that western isle, it always seems to have a rain cloud over it! If I ever get the chance I would have to let Sensei Helen know I was going, the wee one has always wanted to get a little extra training in on the island as well.

Satori club - IJKA Crimea - Ukraine
You may have to travel a little further to visit Sensei Yuriy Kopeykin, you may also have a few problems obtaining the necessary permissions and visa as well. Sensei Brian Toomey 6th Dan - Chief Instructor of Ireland makes regular trips to the Ukraine to train with them, so their is someone available to explain how to get to the Satori dojo.
For the moment I think I will have to just follow "on line".
They must have perfect conditions for "Kangeiko" (cold/winter training) perhaps they will post some details soon?

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from SSKC

I would like to wish all the readers of our blog a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I would encourage all of us to set ourselves a target/s for 2010, challenging, achievable but a target that will push you. At the end of 2010 you will be proud of what you have achieved.

Without a target you are unlikely to meet your possible potential. I experience many similarities between serving in the military and the dojo. Push yourself to achieve and you will be surprised by your reward...self worth.

My personal targets are:

1. To loose 10Kg and keep it off (this time)
2. To compete at the Army Martial Arts competition in March and improve on previous years performance.
3. To run a bigger and better IJKA Yorkshire competition in May.
4. To train harder than all of our students. Post grading is not a time to relax but to push forward.
5. To take a squad to Tallin, Estonia in June.
6. To remember my kata! I will learn all five Junro kata and probably introduce the first three to the dojo.
7. Complete all the many administrative functions of our club, so we can develop during 2010 from a good club to a great club. (I will need your support for this one)
8. Enjoy my karate!

Osu!

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The Journey towards Shodan

It's a "Long and winding road" to attain shodan, below are a few photos of Dom on his journey. Above : March 2005 - The early years

Above: Dom with Bex looking very young in October 2005

Above : Wiggington November 2006

Above : May 2007 Kata Heat with Daniel Kozelko

Above : May 2007 with Sensei Ian Culpan

Above : May 2007 with Sensei Andy Bailey

Above : Quite happy to take on a handful of dan grades in November 2007

Above : Training with Kato Shihan in Wiggington November 2007

Above : February 2008 Belt training at Wigington with Kato Shihan

Above : February 2009 Dom has started to step the pace up, training with Sensei Simon from Haxby when Kato Shihan visited our dojo at Selby.

I am sure that the rest of us will enjoy looking back at Dom's journey more than Dom, but never mind, eh.

Dom you have five years of strong foundations under the instruction of Sensei Ash & Andy, the hard work is in the bank.

A quote from Kato Shihan at a Shodan grading in Budapest a few years ago, after the 20+ karateka who were grading had just undertaken their first Kihon sequence...." Relax, it is easy if you are good enough"

Dom, you can relax, you are good enough. I am sure you won't though

It has been my pleasure to watch you grow from a boy to a man. You apply yourself well to anything you set your mind to be it Music/ Studies or Karate. Otagari ni rei.

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JKS (GB) Open Nottingham

This weekend nineteen karateka from Selby boosted the IJKA Yorkshire contingent travelling to Nottingham for the competition to thirty-seven.
Many thanks to our hosts Campbell and Langley Sensei for organising the competition and extending the invitation to join them.
We have never really been a competition orientated club but we are slowly trying to build into our training some preparation and build up a small team. It was very encouraging to see so many of our club members come and compete for the first time.
Although I am always a little disappointed at my performance I do find these events very motivational in my overall training. It spurs me on to make further improvements.

The IJKA results were as follows:

• 1st Place - Holly Bamford - Haxby Club - Ind. Kata - 10 to 4th Kyu - 10 to 15 years - Mixed
• 1st Place - Eve Nixon - York Club - Ind kumite - Any grade - 12 to 14 years - Girls
• 2nd Place - Max Baudouin - York Club - Ind Kata - 10 to 4th Kyu - 16+ years - Mixed
• 3rd Place - Elanneor Dook - York Club - Ind. Kumite - Any grade- 9 to 11 years - Girls
• 3rd Place - Julie Dallison - Selby Club - Ind. Kumite - 10th to 4th Kyu - 18+ years - Female
• 3rd Place - Paul Brant - Selby Club - Ind. Kumite - Any Grade - 40+ years - Male
• 3rd Place - Shaun Bushby - York Club - Team Kata - Any grade - 16+ years - Mixed
• 3rd Place - Jordan Rankin - York Club - Team Kata - any grade - 16+ years - Mixed
• 3rd Place - Simon Flint - Haxby Club - Team Kata - any grade - 16+ years - Mixed
• 3rd place - Tom Smith - Haxby Club - Team Kumite (Seibukan "B") - any grade - 13 to 15 years - mixed

Josh, Ellie, Abby, Amy, Lewis, Liam and Shauna were first on in the under 9 kata. Poor Shauna was I think the very first on. It is not easy when you are not even sure what should be happening. This happened to Rebecca at the European championships, it is very daunting. Don't worry about freezing, I do it all the time. Just look forward to the club competition in May. Abby did particularly well as a yellow belt knocking out a 2nd kyu, she was very unlucky not to be in the medals, may be next time?

Leila and Jammie competed in the 10 to 15 years section, which was always going to be tough. You both performed your kata as well as you could with no mistakes. Well done, you both have quite a few years left in this age band so better luck next year.

Claire, Alan and Julie all competed in the 16+ age group for 10th to 4th Kyu. I think as adults sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves. As normal with a couple of minutes to go I was trying to run through kata in my head and couldn't remember anything, I started to panic (as usual) and thought just forget everything, relax and go out with an empty mind. It actually worked. You have all done your first event now, it will be easier every time from now on (promise).

Rebecca was not competing so it left only Helen to fly the SSKC flag. I think her opening round was a split decision unfortunately going to the other karateka.

Dom, Mickey and myself were in a massive group of over thirty competing in 3rd kyu and above over 16 years. Poor Mikey was drawn against a really strong Japanese karateka. It seems that every event Mikey enters he has a really tough draw. I was just glad to finish my kata without a mistake, I usually get knocked out and then wait for the kumite.

The standard of kumite was really strong and unfortunately Shobu Ippon Kumite is not something that we practice very much of at all with our low grade youngsters. We tend to have a strong focus on Gohon kumite up to 4th Kyu and then Jiyu-Ippon Kumite from 3rd Kyu to 1st Kyu. I personally see this as a strong foundation to long term development, but it may be a short term disadvantage for competition preparation.

Claire, Alan, Julie as adults starting karate later in life I think kumite is difficult. We are not as flexible and we were as a youngsters and have been told for the last few decades not to go round punching and kicking people. Now our Sensei is shouting instructions from the sidelines , we can't hear them properly and having trouble breathing with this gum shield in our mouths. We keep think we are delivering scoring techniques, but no flags go up and the referee appears to be suddenly mute. The time keepers clock also seems to have stopped because we are starved of oxygen and there is not even a sign of the 30 second warning. When it does eventually come to the end of the round it is a draw and this bloke wants us to carry on for another minute when all we want to do is collapse in the corner out the way...welcome to Kumite, it does get better. Our big surprise of the day was Julie who gained a bronze medal for 3rd place in the Female kumite 10th to 4th kyu age 18+ years, not bad for a 7th Kyu, Gold next year?

Mikey competed in the 3rd kyu and above kumite a very tough section and was unlucky not to progress further.

Andy, Mike and myself competed in the "old mans" kumite which unfortunately was all a bit of a mix up, from entrants to the odd decision.

All in All, the JKS (GB) Open gave our club the opportunity to compete at a level in between our club competition and the IJKA Europeans. Hopefully we can all look forward to May when we will hold our club competition and I think it will be July in Tallin, Estonia for the Europeans but this is yet to be confirmed.

I would like to thank every one of the IJKA karateka for representing our three clubs, your discipline and conduct were a credit to our association. Otagai-ni-rei.

Many thanks to Gullen Shihan our coach, Sensei Mike,Ian and Bernard for acting as our representative officials, without whom none of us can compete. Sensei-ni-rei.

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Yamaguchi Sensei JKS - Kanku

Above Yamaguchi Sensei - JKS - Kanku dai / Sho

In the video above filmed in New Jersey, America earlier this month Sensei talks about the difference between similar moves in the Kanku kata.

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JKS Open 21st November 09

The “Runners and Riders” are sorted and I have returned our list of entries to Campbell Sensei – JKS (GB) for 2009.

What a great turn out, thirty-eight karateka from IJKA Yorkshire will be travelling to the competition this year, with a total of Seventy-four entries to twenty-one of the thirty events run.

Above - The travelling contingent for 2008

I am particularly proud that we have eight entrants to the 9 years and below kata event, three entrants to the 8 years and below kumite event and 12 entrants to the 9-11 years kumite event. It is great to see our karateka getting involved in competition at an early stage of their training. It is also encouraging to see our adult low and mid grades stepping up to the mark and representing IJKA Yorkshire.

Hopefully the majority of the competitors can stay and support the squad for the whole day so that we can get a team photo at the end. Maybe we can win a couple of medals along the way, with such a good turn out there will always be someone to watch / support.

Above: Becks, Helen and Emma gained bronze at team kumite in 2008

Many thanks to sensei Ian Shaw from Haxby and Bernard Schilke from Selby who have kindly offered to act as IJKA officials for the day. Without their support we would not be able to enter.

Look forward to a great day and good luck, Osu!

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More Photos from Tuam

Above: Kato & Cunningham Sensei

Many thanks to Sensei Jarlath Cunningham 5th Dan from Co Mayo in Ireland for sending me a disc with some photos from the course at Tuam, here are just a few that I have uploaded.

Above: Sensei gets Rebecca to take the warm ups

Above: My foot not quite as high as Bex's

Above: Kiba-dachi seemed to be the stance for the whole weekend!

Above: Sensei Jarlath Cunningham - 5th Dan

Above : Kato Sensei Teaching

Above : Kato Sensei explains bunkai

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SSKC Gradings

Many thanks to Gullen Shihan for travelling to Selby tonight to grade five Selby students that were not able to attend Kato Shihan's course in October.

Congratulations go to all our students:

Georginia Mizen - 7th Kyu (temp)
David Leadbeater - 8th Kyu "A very strong 8th Kyu pass"
David Lawrence - 9th Kyu
Joseph Lawrence - 12th Kyu
Luke Teisseire - 12th Kyu

All your individual member pages have been updated / created so you can follow your progress. To view your pages just click on the member button in the sidebar and click on your name.

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SSKC Track Suits are ordered.

SSKC Tracksuits are now ordered and expected for delivery just before the JKS open. Unfortunately if you didn't get your order in, it is now too late.

Many thanks to our recent sponsors "Mytum and Selby" (the skip people) and Howdens (timber and builders merchants) that has allowed us to subsidise the cost of tracksuits to members by approx £20/head.

There may be an opportunity to purchase tracksuits next year if there is enough interest to put together a bulk order.

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Is Yahara Shihan the "Angel of Kata"?

If you have never viewed "the committee's" unique Kata blog you may well want to, and with a little bit of thought make your own contribution.

This panel of high ranking dan grades are very hard to please and have a reputation at being ruthless in their rejection. It is like the "X Factor" but with 4 Simon Cowells!

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Unique Kata

York Course and Grading - 10/11th October 09

Sensei was back in York for his autumn course and grading. Many thanks to Sensei Ian and Mike for hosting the weekend. As well as attracting karateka from the IJKA Yorkshire clubs of Haxby, Selby and York, we were also very pleased to see Karateka from Sensei Anne Hastings dojo, Leeds, Sheffield and members of the "Whitchurch Mafia".

Saturday for the first two hours was mainly focused around Kihon and Kihon Kumite, the third hour was was for black belts only learning the Kato-Ryu Kata Kibaken Sandan.

Sunday morning, more Kihon before the higher grades (purple belts up) went through Tekki Shodan and Hangetsu, but using sanchin and neko-ashi dachi instead of hangetsu and kokutsu dachi stances. While students graded the black belts had no time to rest they were put through their paces learning Kibaken Yondan and Godan. I was very pleased to get Kibaken Sandan in my head in one session, but Yondan and Godan will take a few more visits before I even have the sequence of moves.

Well done to all out students, Shauna graded to 11th Kyu, with Amy and Ellie achieving 10th Kyu.

Nathan, Jake, Leila and Liam were grading to 8th Kyu, achieving 3 full grades and a temporary grade for Liam. (Stronger kumite required Liam). Julie and Abby attained Yellow and Jammie only just missed out on a full grade but still gets to wear his yellow belt with a temporary pass.

Josh and Lewis were attempting the big step up from yellow to green belt. Both the boys came away with temporary grades, a good result for both these youngsters and they must now work on a period of consolidation before moving on.

Kelvin, Alan and Lucy all graded to 4th Kyu, excellent! Again you will need to work hard for best part of a year before you make the next big step up in grades to brown belt.

Both our brown belts were successful Michael attaining 2nd and Josh 1st Kyu, well done! A comment from the grading panel that your kumite was not as focused as your kihon and katas, something to work on in the next few months.

Above: The karateka of IJKA Yorkshire

After the presentation of the certificates Rebecca presented Sensei with a hand made 3Kg Kit-Kat. The massive four finger chocolate biscuit was hand made at Nestles in York and as well as the famous Kit-Kat logo sported the Kanji of the IJKA.

Above: Rebecca presents the IJKA Kit-Kat to Sensei Kato

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Irish Open 4th October 09

A whistle-wind trip to the Emerald Isle this weekend for Michael, Rebecca and myself. We flew out of Liverpool Saturday night, picked up a car from Cork airport and drove the short trip North to Fermoy. After an overnight stay in a B&B we drove into town to try and find the sports centre. Rebecca had been there before and remembered it was "up a hill", we looked for a while before asking directions. I felt a bit of a fool when the gentleman pointed to the Loreto Sports complex all of 50m away.

Above : Rebecca Senior Kumite

Rebecca and Michael competed in both the U19 and the senior events, while if you are going all that way you might as well get as much experience as possible. As always the male cadet brown and black belt section was very strongly contended. Michael was surprised to see so many Strong Sho and nidans in his group. Michael fought well and was complemented on his efforts by a number of the spectators and coaches.
Not taking anything away from Rebecca's success but the female sections are not as strongly contended. However at seventeen Rebecca did have her work cut out in the Senior Kumite that had a few preliminary rounds. Rebecca ended up competing against Sensei Stacy from Tuam (who we are meant to be staying with in a few weeks time). This was a particularly strong match, well fought by both of them resulting in Rebacca winning through to the final where she met Sensei Jacquie. Rebecca had met Jacquie in Italy and she has to be considered one of the most experienced competitors in Ireland, Jacquie was again to be the IJKA ladies grand champion.

Toomey Sensei was a little short of officials and had asked me to help out. I was a little daunted by the prospect. I have judged and refereed at our club competitions but never contemplated taking a role in a national. I started as a judge on the junior kata, but come the kumite sections I was asked to referee, surprisingly I really enjoyed the experience.


With no veterans section I had to enter the Senior kata and Kumite. My kata performance is not as good as it should be and I should make more effort really. I did perform a strong Tekki Shodan (one of my preferred kata) to win through to the 2nd round where I made a complete "hash" of Jion (again another one of my preferred kata?). In a way I was glad to get the kata out of the way so I could warm up properly for the kumite.
It was a very strong line up of fourteen, Michael was one of only two or three brown belts amongst the dan grades. I had been goading "Hammer" one of Sensei's PJ's students that we were going to get drawn together and he was going down, as he was too slow. I have known "Hammer" for a few years, he is less than half my age and only does kumite. I won my first round and funny enough I was drawn against "Hammer" in the next. It was a strong contest, but I eventually won through. My parting comment to Hammer was , "another win for the veterans then!". In the Semi final my opponent caught me with a perfect Oi Zuki Jodan, hard but controlled, for me it should have been Ippon but unfortunately the nose didn't stand up to the blow very well and ended in his disqualification. Not the way that I would want to get into a final, but as Sensei PJ put it later that is the way that competitions go sometimes.

Above : The Selby Team - Michael, Rebecca and Paul

Results:
Rebecca - 2nd U19 Kumite Girls, 3rd Senior Kata Ladies & 2nd Senior Kumite ladies
Paul - 2nd Senior Kumite Men

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