Bath Karate club instructors would like to welcome back all members of the club. We hope you have had a good New Year and are raring to train hard. We have already booked three gradings for this year, see the Events Page for details and be prepared, the first one is in March! In February we are pleased to welcome Sensei JJ Bruce from Sunderland who will be a visiting instructor on a club night. This is a fantastic opportunity to train with one of the KUGB’s top competitors and instructors. As usual, a number of the club’s members will be training on the Central Region Kata Squad with Sensei Frank Brennan. We encourage any of you who are planning to take higher gradings (i.e. 1st Dan and above) this year to attend some of these sessions – all dates are now on the Events Page.

We would also like to invite any new or interested folk who are thinking about doing something new for their health and fitness this year. Please feel free to come and watch a session or even join in if you are up for it! Details of our club can be found on these pages.

Finally, we have been excited to get an email from two past members who trained with us over twenty years ago. Nick and Graham Wyatt sailed to New Zealand in 1994, but have continued to train and have recently been awarded their 3rd Dans.  All the instructors at Bath Karate club would like to wish them both good fortune and good training for the coming year.

Please note that our last training session will be on Thursday 19th December. We will start training again on Monday 6th January 2014 at 7.45. May we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!

Bath Karate Club Instructors

Yesterday, the Bath club celebrated the end of another successful year with its annual Christmas dinner at The Porter in Bath. Club regulars were joined by partners, friends and visitors – yes Sarah, that means you! The evening culminated with Sensei Ron Hick’s annual speech, and presentation of Student of the Year of 2013 to Dave.

Cher receiving her 2nd Dan from Senseis Sherry and Brennan

A Black and Brown belt course and grading was held today at the University of Bath Sports Centre. The instructors and grading examiners were Sensei Andy Sherry, 9th Dan and the KUGB Chief Instructor, and Sensei Frank Brennan, 7th Dan. The day started with a training session for the Brown belts, followed by a session for the Black belts. In both sessions Senseis Sherry and Brennan focused on correct and precise techniques and form that are required in the basics, kata and sparring. The training was followed by a grading for those taking 1st and 2nd Dan black belts. We are delighted to report that our club member, Cher Bradley-Smith was awarded her 2nd Dan black belt. Well done Cher from all your instructors!

Black belts after training with Senseis Sherry and Brennan

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Sensei Ed Starks, who passed away yesterday after a long illness. Sensei Starks was the Chief Instructor of Bristol Shotokan Karate Club, an inspirational teacher to all of his students and was widely respected by his fellow instructors in the South West and beyond. We send our deepest condolences to Ed’s family and to Bristol Shotokan Karate. (The picture of Ed above was taken in October 2012 at the Special Dan Grade Course in Bath.)

Congratulations are due to the following club members who successfully graded under Sensei Bob Poynton earlier today: James, Theo, Ashley, and Dave. Further congratulations are due to Theo who took second place in kumite, in the Bill Winfield Memorial Competition after the grading. As can be seen below, Theo is at home with either punching or kicking! Well done from all the club instructors. 

Competitors and judges for the Bill Winfield Competition

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.