The KUGB National Kyu Grade Championships, at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre last Saturday, provided an impressive showcase for Bath Karate Club’s young talent, with three junior competitors bringing home medals across multiple events.

Emma delivered a standout performance, claiming gold in the Girls Novice – 4th Kyu Kata category. Her technically precise and spirited performance impressed the judges, adding another achievement to her growing competitive resume. Amy also competed strongly in the Girls Kata, finishing just off the podium in fourth place.

The kumite competition presented significant challenges for the Bath competitors, with all three juniors facing opponents who were mostly older, physically larger, and higher-ranked brown belts. Despite this substantial experience gap, Bath’s young karatekas showed tremendous spirit.
Amy demonstrated remarkable determination, securing bronze in the 13-14 Girls Kumite division. Perhaps most impressively, Amy she showed true fighting spirit when she continued competing despite taking several blows to the face during her matches. Harry added to his growing medal collection with a well-earned joint bronze in the Boys Kumite division. In the kata competition, he narrowly missed qualifying for the finals by just 0.4 points, finishing seventh overall in a highly competitive field.

The competition marked a significant milestone for the young competitors, as it was their first experience in Jiyu kumite. Despite facing more experienced opponents, all three Bath competitors demonstrated technical ability, fighting spirit, and composure under pressure.
“They are a real credit to the club,” noted Ron Hicks, the Bath club chief instructor. We are “so proud of them. Both Amy and Emma got smacked in the face several times in their rounds, but still carried on.”

This national-level tournament experience, particularly against more advanced competitors from across the country, will prove invaluable for the continued development of these promising young karatekas. The Bath club’s emphasis on both kata and kumite was evident in their performances across different competition categories. The National Kyu Grade Championships once again highlighted the strength of KUGB’s developing talent while providing an important developmental opportunity for these dedicated young martial artists from Bath Karate Club.

Members of the Bath club had a good day at the KUGB Southern Area Championships last Saturday – and very successful in many ways. Competitions always bring a sense of camaraderie between the competitors and this was no exception. The ‘Bath squad’ consisted of Richard, Emma, Amy, Kieran and Ron.

Kieran was first up in the Veterans’ kata, where he performed Sochin to secure a place in the finals. Ron was next in the ‘open’ kata event. Although he didn’t get to the finals, he did put beat the competitor who denied him a place in the last 8 at the Nationals 3 years ago – as Amy put it, ‘get revenge’ on him!

Next were Emma and Amy, who both performed Heian Yondan. Emma got through to the finals but Amy missed out by a narrow margin – still an excellent result for her first competition. These three categories had all taken place on Area 4, whereas Richard was on Area 1 so he had no-one to watch/coach/encourage him.

In the finals, Kieran drew with the eventual winner, but due to the ‘count back’ method of adding the scores he lost out by 0.1, taking the Silver. Emma performed Heian Nidan in her final and also took Silver. This was her 4th competition, and 4th medal, an excellent record.

The ‘competitor of the year’ trophy table so far has Kieran and Emma tied for 1st place, with 50 points each. Watch this space…

Last night, Bath Shotokan Karate club was pleased to hold its first grading of the year under Sensei Rob Welsh, 7th Dan. The club instructors would like to congratulate all of our students who passed their grade. Also special thanks to Sensei Welsh for making the trip to Bath to hold our grading.

Well done to …

Beatrice Craig – 9th Kyu
Florence Watson – 8th Kyu
Jake Williams – 7th Kyu
Ollie Childs – 7th Kyu
Chloe Burden – 7th Kyu
Marlena Gulaj – 6th Kyu
Emma Thompson – 5th Kyu
Harry Sanders – 5th Kyu
Amy Beattie – 5th Kyu
Storm Jackson – 2nd Kyu

It’s that time of year again. The KUGB Southern Region Championships are around the corner, on Saturday, 15th March, in Reading – more details can be found on the KUGB website.

Competitor entries are now closed, but all club members are encouraged to attend and support our competitors. Doors open at 09:00, the competition starts at 10:00, and the costs are £10 adults or £5 5-15 years (just pay on the door).

Just to remind you of last year’s club successes go to the ‘Competition News’ section of last April’s update. Who knows what will happen this year?!

Oh yes, and the club is sponsoring the Children’s kyu grade kata competition!

As we approach the end of one year, and the start of 2025, it is fitting to remember our good friend and sensei, Bob Poynton, and his thoughts on karate and life. The KUGB made this film of Sensei Bob Poynton in December 2019, sharing a bit about himself – https://vimeo.com/399117804

See you all on January 6, 2025 for our first session back. Happy Christmas!

As another successful year draws to a close, Bath Karate Club has recognised two exceptional members who have embodied the spirit of karate through their dedication, perseverance, and achievements.

The prestigious Student of the Year award, carefully deliberated by the club’s senior instructors, has been awarded to Sara. This recognition celebrates more than just technical progress – it honours the essential qualities that define a true martial artist: consistent training, resilience in the face of challenges, and an unwavering belief in self-improvement.

Sara has demonstrated these attributes throughout the year, maintaining an exemplary training record and showing determination even when faced with obstacles. Her commitment to the art was ultimately validated by her successful achievement of Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt), a testament to her dedication and the very qualities that earned her this award.

This year we have reinstated our Competitor of the Year award, with Emma earning this recognition. Emma’s competitive record in 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable, securing medals in all three regional and national competitions she entered. The highlight of her competitive season was claiming silver at the National Children’s Championships, an outstanding achievement at such a prestigious event.

Beyond the medals, Emma’s competition experience has enabled a deeper engagement with her karate journey. Her success on the competition circuit has enhanced her confidence and led her to take greater ownership of her training and development – a mature approach that promises even greater achievements in the future.

These awards not only celebrate individual excellence but also reflect the strong foundation and supportive environment that Bath Karate Club continues to provide for its members, from beginners to advanced practitioners, from recreational students to competitive kareteka.

Please note that our last training session this year will be Thursday 19th December, and we will start training again on Monday 6th January 2025.

Bath Karate’s instructors wish you all a peaceful and Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

Congratulations to Sara Kousalari for passing her Shodan, last weekend at Chelmsford, under Sensei Frank Brennan (8th Dan) and Sensei Garry Harford (8th Dan). Sara has travelled a long way to achieve this, and I don’t mean the 8 hour round trip to Chelmsford; her dedication and commitment have been plain for all to see. She has been ‘on the boil’ for most of the year and has worked tirelessly and with ‘quiet’ enthusiasm (she does remember to relax a little and to smile now and then). She has also had ‘The Eye of Sauron’ (aka Sensei Ron Hicks) on her for at least 6 months, but has endured – and enjoyed – it. Sara represents everything we at the Bath club hold dear and is a welcome addition to the ‘Black Belt Club’. The next challenge – all those new kata to learn. Congratulations Sara!

We have also recently held a Kyu grading with our examiner, Sensei Rob Welsh, 7th Dan. Congratulations to the Bath members who passed their next grade:

Florence Watson – 9th Kyu
Jake Williams – 8th Kyu
Olly Childs – 8th Kyu
Cloe Burden – 8th Kyu
Amy Beattie – 6th Kyu
Harry Sanders – 6th Kyu
Emma Thompson – 6th Kyu
Lucas Mitchell – 5th Kyu
Storm Jackson – 3rd Kyu
Peter Ashby – 2nd Kyu
Marc Bessant – 2nd Kyu
Tom Park – 1st Kyu

Last night, Bath Karate Club hosted Sensei John Bruce, 6th Dan, national and international champion, and Chair of the KUGB. Sensei Bruce’s session was nothing short of inspirational; sharing his wealth of experience in both kata and kumite.

Sensei Bruce’s approach to kihon was fundamental and detailed. He emphasized the importance of using body weight effectively in kicks, thrusting the hips and moving the centre of gravity forwards to generate power, not simply focusing on balance. For punching and blocking, he stressed the significance of using full hikite and fast body rotation to develop speed and hence power. His instruction to the black belts on extending this approach to one-arm blocks was straightforward to understand but harder to realise – more practice needed!

This concept was taken into kata with Bassai Dai, and Sensei Bruce encouraged us to avoid less than fully extended movements and to harness body weight to generate power. Throughout the session Sensei placed emphasis on self-reflection and analysis, reminding us of the importance of personal, continuous study in our karate training.

Kumite training focused on thinking beyond just blocking, emphasising the need to get out of the opponent’s range – moving in at least four directions, backwards, either side, and also going forwards to close the distance in order to strike. Sensei stressed that there are no shortcuts in karate, and our focus should be on long-term development through consistent, correct practice.

Sensei illustrated his holistic approach to karate, viewing kihon, kata, and kumite not as separate entities but as interconnected aspects of a single practice. Sensei Bruce’s parting words on attitude left a lasting impression. He emphasized that it’s not just about ‘trying’, but ‘trying in the right way’. This encapsulates John Bruce’s approach to karate – a blend of fundamental techniques with a deep understanding of body mechanics and mental discipline.

Bath Karate Club has had the opportunity to learn from one of the very best instructors and Sensei John Bruce’s visit has left us all inspired to elevate our practice and strive for excellence in our karate journey.

Last Thursday, Bath Karate Club had the privilege of hosting a training session led by Sensei Holly Bruce, 5th Dan (Sendai Kushiro Karate Club) an internationally acclaimed karateka, instructor known for her meticulous approach, and ambassador for the KUGB. Sensei Bruce delivered a session that left everyone with detailed insight and actions to improve their karate.

The session began with a deep dive into kihon based on a series of stepping combinations. Sensei Bruce emphasised the importance of performing each move slowly and with precision, focusing on the detail and efficiency of preparing each move and weight distribution. She encouraged students to increase their speed only after they fully understood the correct execution of each technique. This approach not only highlighted the importance of forming good habits but also the necessity of refining each repetition to improve on the last.

Building on the kihon, Sensei Bruce transitioned into kata. Here, she stressed the importance of detail, biomechanics, and posture. Each move was dissected to understand the individual components, with a special focus on the escaping steps. within.

The final part of the session was dedicated to kumite. Sensei Bruce introduced drills aimed at improving distance management and the execution of single, double, and triple punches. Participants engaged in three-partner drills designed to enhance both their reaction times and their offensive skills. These exercises underscored the dynamic nature of kumite and the necessity of quick thinking and adaptability during sparring.

Throughout the session, Sensei Bruce’s clear explanations, focus on personal development, and attention to individuals were evident. Her approach ensured that every participant, regardless of their grade or skill level, left with a clear understanding of what they could improve upon. The session wasn’t just about performing techniques but about evolving as karate practitioners. Bath Karate Club looks forward to future sessions with such an exceptional instructor.