JKF-Wadokai Master’s Course
27th, 28th & 29th September 2013
The JKF-Wadokai is the ‘internationally renowned’ parent organisation that oversees Wadokai Karate. 8 members of the club recently attended the UK Master’s Course headed by Matsui Sensei and Takagi Sensei. To my knowledge, this is the first time so many of the high ranking Wadokai sensei have been to the UK. The visiting instructors were as follows:
Mr Hideho Takagi 8th Dan
Mr Chiaki Shimamoto 8th Dan
Mr Masamichi Shinohara 8th Dan
Mr Masohito Kitagawa 8th Dan
Mr Koichi Shimura 7th Dan
MrTamaki Sonoda 7th Dan
Mr Yoshinorio Matsui Chairman of the Board of Directors
These sorts of big events are a great opportunity to catch up with old friends from all over the world, and of course make new ones. Amy and I met up with quite a few people over the weekend who had at one time or another visited Takamasa Arakawa Sensei’ Shiramizu Dojo in Sugito Japan. One of these friends rightly described the course as a ‘facebook convention’ because it really was, we’re all connected online to so many Wado friends and colleagues and these big events bring everyone together to train under one roof. It was great to be able to meet some people who we’ve been connected to for years without ever meeting in person.
(Photo courtesy of Angie Emms, Grantham Aiwakai Karate Club/Emzfit)
Over the long weekend we covered basics, basics and basics of Wadokai. Takagi Sensei explained a number of times that the fundamental movements are essential to move and strike correctly, and without solid basics, nothing else will work. It was effectively a standardisation course with the Sensei highlighting the key points of each movement. It’s important that all Wadokai clubs are teaching the way the JKF-Wadokai want us too, throughout the world and that we’re all continually developing ourselves to ‘become the best we can be’. The pace was at times tough, with calls of ‘faster faster’ reminding me of my earlier years in Karate.
Bob Nash Sensei (USA) was on hand throughout the weekend to translate and helped ensure everyone understood what was being said, often in a humorous way.
We’re pleased to say that the club had a successful weekend with the Dan Grading (Black Belt Examinations) with Lewis Muldown achieving his 1st Dan, Beth Gray her 2nd Dan and Carl Jorgeson his 4th Dan. All the attendees were also given attendance certificates to remember the prestigious event so we presented them last night at the club.
The course was very well attended with up to 200 students descending from all over the world. Hopefully this support will lead to more events of this type taking place in the UK, there is obviously a desire for them. This can only strengthen the Wadokai in this country and beyond.
2012 Competition Calendar
SUN 22nd JANUARY – EKF Kyu Grade Championships, Sheffield (Selected students only)
SAT 4th FEBRUARY – Hartlepool Wadokai Junior/Beginner Club-Only Championships, Hartlepool (All members, grades TBC)
SUN 5th FEBRUARY – Wellbeck Invitational Championships, Loughborough (All members, 12-30yrs Kata; 13-30yrs Kumite)
SUN 4th MARCH – Chojinkai Children’s & Cadet’s Championships, Penrith (All members, 6-17yrs)
SUN 18th MARCH – Hartlepool Wadokai Inter-Club Karate Champonships, Brierton Sports Centre, Hartlepool (All members)
SAT 21st & SUN 22nd APRIL – EKF National Championships, Sheffield
SUN 13th MAY – Aiwakai National Invitational Championships, Alfreton
SUN 8th JULY – CEWKA Championships, Birmingham
SUN 19th AUGUST – South Yorkshire Championships
SUN 30th SEPTEMBER – Hon Yoso Kai Championships, Worcester
SUN 14th OCTOBER – Hartlepool Wadokai Club-Only Championships, Hartlepool
3rd & 4th NOV – Wadokai European Championships, Venice, Italy
SUN 18th NOVEMBER – Hartlepool Wadokai JUNIOR Inter-Club Championships, Hartlepool (All members, 5-18yrs)
In addition to the above dates, some other events might be added (e.g. British) depending upon squad commitment to training and ability. Competitors wanting to select for the Wadokai England Squad in 2012 should put ALL of the above dates into their diaries.
Those students ‘serious’ about competition should attend the weekly Squad Session (Wednesday 7-8pm).
November & December Karate Events
As always at the club we’ve got an action packed month, with tons of events going on for our members.
Friday 4th November, 7-10pm – Okumachi Sensei Kata Course, Alfreton Leisure Centre, Derbyshire
This course is highly recommended to anyone interested in the standardised JKF-Wadokai Kata. I train with Okumachi Sensei as often as possible as he’s a fantastic Wadokai technician, I always come away learning tons! Hartlepool Wadokai classes are running as normal.
Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th November, Aiwakai Way to Excellence Course & Dan Grading, Alfreton Leisure Centre, Derbyshire
The club has four people taking their Dan Grade (Black Belt) tests this weekend in Alfreton. The weekend training course is led by Sakagami Sensei, supported by Peter May, Keith Walker and (maybe… not sure) Sensei Lee Minion too. It’s a good chance to immerse yourself in Karate for a full weekend. Speak to one of the instructors for more information.
Wednesday 9th November, 7-9pm, Hartlepool Wadokai AGM, Owton Manor Primary School
The Annual General Meeting for Hartlepool Wadokai, all members (16yrs+) welcome to attend.
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th November, Sugosawa Sensei Seminar, Leeds
A fantastic opportunity to train with one of the original Japanese instructors who came to the UK all those years ago. Some of the club instructors had the opportunity to train with Sensei in January and thoroughly enjoyed it and as expected learnt tons! We’re very much looking forward to training with him again this month.
Sunday 13th November, English Karate Federation Referee Course, West Midlands
A number of the club instructors will be attending this Referee course in the West Midlands (a 400 mile round trip!) as part of their Referee training.
Sunday 27th November, Hartlepool Wadokai JUNIOR Inter-Club Invitational Karate Championships, Belle Vue Sports Centre, Kendal Road, Hartlepool, TS25 1QU
This is our first JUNIOR Inter-Club championships and we’re planning on it being a small friendly inter-club. It’ll be a great chance for those new to competitions to get some experience, and for those more experienced to get some ‘mat time’.
HW Inter-Club Entry Form 27.11.11 – For Hartlepool Wadokai members only.
Hartlepool Wadokai JUNIOR InterClub Championships 27.11.2011 – Full entry form for club instructors only.
The closing date for ALL entries & fees is Monday 21st November 2011 – no exceptions.
DECEMBER
Saturday 3rd December, 10-6pm, Hartlepool Wadokai Club Grading, Belle Vue Sports Centre, Kendal Road, Hartlepool, TS25 1QU
Please speak to an instructor for more information.
Sunday 4th December, 12-3pm, Aiwakai FREE General Training Course, Alfreton Leisure Centre, Derbyshire
This course is FREE to all Aiwakai licence holders and will be led by Sakagami Sensei. Please speak to an instructor for more information.
Saturday 17th December, Hartlepool Wadokai ‘End of Year’ Training Course & Kids Christmas Party, Belle Vue Sports Centre, Kendal Road, Hartlepool, TS25 1QU
12-2pm, FREE Training Course;
3-5pm, Kids Christmas Party;
7pm Onwards, Adult Social Event – all parents invited!
Okumachi Sensei UK Seminar, Nov 3rd 2010
The Wado Aiwakai Karate-Do Federation (that is our clubs parent association) has just organised a last minute training course with Koji Okumachi Sensei who is currently visiting the UK.
Okumachi Sensei is fantastic at Kata, and this is a great opportunity to train with one of the greats!
The course will take place on Wednesday 3rd November 2010 at Alfreton Leisure Centre (6pm-9pm)
Okumachi Sensei Course Details – DOWNLOAD
Please download the above document for full details.
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