A kumite seminar for all club members was held yesterday at the University of Bath dojo. Approximately 20 members took part in an exclusive session focusing on aspects of kumite. The training was led by Sensei Kieran Shore and Sensei Rob Davis who had put together a well-structured two hour session. Sensei Davis covered a number of aspects including attacking with appropriate intent and ferocity, proper use of distance in blocking and countering, and how to use feinting movements to get an advantage. The matted dojo allowed Sensei Shore to focus on the use of throws, foot sweeps and takedowns to extend blocking and countering during kumite.

Although this was a two hour session on a hot and sunny afternoon the time seemed to fly by. The format and location of the training left the participants buzzing, and feeling this was time very well spent. Everyone thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed this opportunity, and the general consensus was that this type of training had allowed everyone to study and practice techniques in depth, in a manner that we cannot do during normal training. The club intends to run more occasional seminars in the future – watch this space!

Bath Karate hosted a training session and kyu grading with Sensei Bob Poynton, 8th Dan, yesterday. Karate students and club instructors from Bath as well as other local clubs attended the all grades training. Sensei Poynton focused on kihon for much of the session focusing on fast leg movements and and accurate preparation for blocks and counters. The same blocks and counters were then applied with partners to further emphasise their application. The session ended with all practicing their grading katas and the brown and black belts focusing on Bassai-Dai.

Congratulations are due to the following club members who successfully graded: Phoebe Fraser 7th Kyu; Dave Achejun 6th Kyu; Alvaro Gonzalez 6th Kyu; Georgia Langley 3rd Kyu; Billy Fraser 2nd Kyu. A special commendation is due to Georgia who performed exceedingly well. 

We have had a number of requests for extra sessions, focusing on specific aspects of karate. Our first such FREE course will be held on July 6th at the University of Bath Dojo (see Events page). The  instructors will be Sensei Kieran Shore, 4th Dan and Sensei Rob Davis 3rd Dan. This course is suitable for all grades, and will focus on developing your kumite skills. Whether you are a white belt or a black belt, or in between, there will be something new for you to learn and enhance your training. Above all you will enjoy the day. The University Sports Training Village is an inspirational place to train, there are full changing and catering facilities. We intend to run further courses if there is a demand from you. We hope to see as many of you as possible on July 6th.

Congratulations are due to club member Mark Walker, 3rd Dan who was awarded his long-standing member’s certificate for 20 years training with the KUGB. The certificate was awarded by Chief Instructor Andy Sherry, 9th Dan, at the KUGB Nationals in May. We hope that Mark will continue to train with us for the next 20 years.

The BBC is airing a documentary “Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting: The Rise of Martial Arts in Britain” in their Timeshift series . The programme takes a look at karate in general and features our senior instructors Ron Hicks and Kieran Shore demonstrating various aspects of our style. The programme will be broadcast on Sunday 24th February, on BBC Four at 10 pm. Don’t miss it!

Yesterday, senior members of the Bath club took part in this year’s first Central Region training session and kata squad selection with Sensei Frank Brennan. For the uninitiated, these courses are organised by the KUGB Central Region and feature two training sessions. In the first session, open to all grades, Sensei Brennan focused on some basic combinations featuring stepping punches, and a variety of blocks and punches. The focus was on correct form and technique coupled with fast leg movement and kime. Partner work featured blocking and countering jodan punches using kicks (mawashi geri) and elbow strikes (empi uchi). This session’s kata was Heian Shodan. After a short lunch break the Kata Squad selection began. The kata squad is open to brown belts and above (up to 6th Dan) and the selection was based on Sensei’s choice of Heian katas. I am pleased to report that following selection, the members of the club in the photo above (Julian, Rob, Kieran, Dave, Ron and Mark) were successfully chosen to train on the squad for 2013. The squad training yesterday featured three kata – Heian Godan, Jion and Nijushiho. Each kata was minutely dissected by Sensei Brennan with a focus on form, movement, tempo and spirit, in order to improve everyone’s development. A photo of the whole squad can be found here.

The new club over gi top for club members is here! This is a warm-up top that is ideal to wear to and from the Dojo, gradings and competitions. This high quality garment is available in Bath colours with the club logo embroidered on the front and club lettering stenciled on the back.

This top has an outer construction of a soft touch polyester material with breathable and lightweight qualities, and a 65% polyester, 35% cotton lining for extra warmth and comfort. At no extra cost there is a full length zip with chin guard, two zipped pockets, elasticated waistband and adjustable velcro cuffs to ensure an excellent fit.

For a limited time, the club is subsidising the cost of these jackets – Youth sizes are £20.00 (reduced from £27.75), Adult sizes are £25.00 (from £31.00).

The jackets are available in the following sizes:

Youth – XSY = 24/26”  SY = 26/28”  MY = 28/30”  LY = 30/32”

Adult – S = 34/36”  M = 38/40” L = 42/44”  XL = 46/48” XXL = 50/52”

We will be ordering a batch of these jackets in the next couple of weeks. Please see Sensei Kieran Shore if you wish to order one.

The dates for the KUGB’s Central Region Kata squad courses have now been posted on our Events page. For the uninitiated, these sessions are designed to help you progress with your karate under the expert instruction of Sensei Frank Brennan, 7th Dan. The first of the two training sessions is open to all grades and covers all aspects of karate, the second session for Kata Squad members only, focuses on developing kata. The squad is open to 3rd Kyu and above and those over the age of 16 years old. Selection takes place on Feb 9th and being accepted onto the squad carries the commitment of being able to attend every squad session for the year. There is no such commitment for the all grades session. If anyone is thinking of taking a Dan grading this year, there is no better preparation than attending the all grades sessions, and even putting yourself forward for the squad. For further details talk to one of the instructors.

We have slightly adjusted our training times on Thursdays. We will now start at 7.45 pm and finish at 9.15 (the same as our Monday session.) The main reason for this is to allow members to take advantage of the car parking charges at the sports centre and only having to pay for 30 mins.

As we update the website we will create a events page that contains all the dates relevant for club members. As an appetite whetter, here are the dates that have been confirmed for the Kyu gradings for 2013 – 24 March, 30 June and 10 November. The grading examiner will be Sensei Bob Poynton, 7th Dan. Further details will be posted on the Events page in due course.

For the dates of Dan gradings and other national courses keep an eye on the KUGB Events page.