The last kyu grading of 2019 will be held on Thursday 19th December with Sensei Bob Poynton, 8th Dan. Sensei Poynton will take an all grades training session first, starting at 7pm; the grading will then follow afterwards. The training and grading will be held in the Dance Studio at Oldfield School, Bath BA1 9AB. More details and costs are on our Events page. Please check with Ron or Kieran if you are planning to grade and make sure that your licenses are valid and in date!

Yesterday senior members of the Bath club took part in one of the KUGB’s biannual special dan courses, reserved for black belts only, and on our doorstep at the University of Bath Sports Training Village. The course instructors were the KUGB’s Chief Instructor, Sensei Andy Sherry, assisted by Senseis Bob Poynton and Frank Brennan. The two hour course focused on all aspects of the dan grade syllabus, in particular basics and compulsory grading katas. The session ended with pair work and kumite, the intensity of which can be seen in the hot but happy kareteka above. Thank you Senseis!

Today, the KUGB Black and Brown Belt Course was held in Bath with our Chief Instructor Sensei Andy Sherry, 9th Dan and Sensei Bob Poynton, 8th Dan. Both instructors took training sessions with firstly, the brown belts, followed by the black belts, and for those taking gradings in the afternoon, focusing on aspects of the grading syllabus.

The Bath Club is pleased to report that we have three new black belts! Pictured above, from left to right are Adam Mutlow, Dave Thatcher and Adam McCarten. This success is testament to their hard work and dedication in preparing for the grading over the last few months.

We are also pleased to report that both Catherine Bridgman and Hailey Southgate took their gradings too, and both did very well only having to complete their kumite to earn their 1st Dans.

Well done to all of you from the Bath instructors.

Bath Karate club were very pleased to host Senseis JJ Bruce and Holly Bruce as guest instructors today. The class was split into two with black belts and brown belts having their own Sensei Bruce instructing. The theme of the session was emphasis on developing maximum power by using the entire body. For example, not just punching with an arm alone, but driving the strike from the legs, through the hips, the upper body and finally to deliver the punch. The session also included kata development, with the brown belts focusing on Bassai Dai, and the black belts practicing Tekki Shodan and Jiin. The session was enjoyed by all those who attended, who also appreciated both Sensei Bruces’ karate ability, and their friendly and supportive instruction.

Although the website has been quiet recently, karate training hasn’t stopped! There are a number of events in the next few weeks that members should be aware of.

• Sunday, 23rd June, Training and Kyu grading with Sensei Bob Poynton, SBL Oldland Common, Registration from 11.30.
• Saturday 6th July, Training with Senseis JJ Bruce and Holly Stirling, Oldfield School, Bath, 10.00-12.00
• Saturday 13th July, KUGB Black and Brown Belt Course, Bath (no excuse not to come and train!)

Details are on our Events page.

We are pleased to announce that Adam McCarten has been awarded the Club’s Student of the Year. The award was made tonight by the Club Instructors, and Adam was commended for his attendance at training, his commitment and his excellent attitude. On behalf of the club, congratulations Adam and keep it up!

The Events page for 2019 is now up. Please note that the first kyu grading of the year is on Sunday, February 10th, with Sensei Bob Poynton. The Central Region training and squad dates with Sensei Frank Brennan are also on this page. Further events will be added in due course, and for other KUGB events please see the KUGB website.

As we start the New Year, please remember to check that your licences are still in date!

As we approach the Christmas holidays we’d like to let all our members know when the club will take a break in training. Our last training session will be on Monday, 17th December, and we will start again on Thursday, 3rd January 2019.

A big congratulations to Jonny Southgate who passed his 1st Dan grading yesterday. Jonny passed his black belt under Senseis Andy Sherry and Frank Brennan of the KUGB. Jonny’s success is testament to his hard work in training and persistence to improve his standard of karate. Well done from all the club instructors!

As we approach the Christmas holidays we’d like to let all our members know when the club will take a break in training. Our last training session will be on Thursday, 20th December, and we will start again on Thursday, 3rd January 2019.