Sensei Holly Bruce visit

On February 8th we were delighted to host Sensei Holly Bruce, 5th Dan, from Sendai Kushiro Karate Clubs in County Durham. Holly Bruce is an international champion in both Kata and Kumite, and a fantastic role model for the KUGB. Holly’s instruction was first class, and her session focused on details of moving efficently and then applied to kata. We look forward to welcoming Holly back to the club later in the year.

Grading News

Congratulations to those who successfully graded on Thursday 14th March under Sensei Rob Welsh.

• Emma Thompson  – 8th Kyu
• Harry Sanders  – 8th Kyu
• Storm Jackson – 5th Kyu
• Holly Coles – 3rd Kyu
• Tom Park –  2nd Kyu
• Richard Thompson – 2nd Kyu
• Ethan Park – 1st Kyu
• Oscar O’Keeffe – 1st Kyu

Competition News

Well done to those club members who competed at this year’s Southern Region Championships in Reading on 16th March. Thanks also to those who made the trip to support the club.

We would like to make a special mention to Emma Thompson who obtained Bronze in the Junior Kata competition in her very first outing as a competitor.

Also, many congratulations to Sensei Kieran Shore who won 1st place in the Veterans’ Kata competition. We hope this encourages more club members to follow in their footsteps!

Grading success

Congratulations to Philip Southgate who passed his 2nd Dan grading on 12th April at the KUGB Spring Course in Torbay. Philip achieved this fantastic milestone under the scrutiny of three examiners, Sensei Jim Brennan, Sensei Frank Brennan and Sensei Billy Higgins (L-R above).