|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Let me tell you a little about my abilities. In 1976 - I'm older than you thought - I went on a condensed course for Judo for six weeks during the Summer Hols. The course was designed for the complete novice and introduce them to a 'form' of Martial Art! I enjoyed the course, practically going everyday the course was open. The governing body was the BJC the British Judo Council. At the conclusion of the course, I double graded and was awarded an Orange belt (4th Kyu). Subsequently I graded to 3rd Kyu (Green ), received a back injury and stopped training.
In 1981 my attention was drawn to Shotokan Karate, albeit I was extremely busy with work, I began training but three gradings later, I was forced to stop practising. At this time I was 7th Kyu - Yellow belt. If anyone is interested, my Sensei was Caesar Andrews, then 2nd Dan - who I am sure is known in the Shotokan Karate world. He was associated with Sensei Enoeda for awhile and then disappeared! I also re-commenced my Judo which, due to work commitments, once again had to stop.
Fourteen
- Yes 14 - years went by, got married had two children and my son had started karate the previous year, when I, an old man of 37yrs, started again. This was due to the enthusiasm my son Christopher was showing.
So what's next I hear you ask? Well what a plonker I must be. I have actually agreed to enter the Shotokan Karate Southern Regional Championships on Saturday, 22nd February 1997 in Reading. Venue to be discovered! Apparently, I have entered both the team Kumite and the Individual Kumite. This is not to mention the fact that I will also be making an appearance in the Team Kata. Yondan before anybody asks.
The above took place as scheduled. Here is the update. NO TEAM KATA! Not for my grade anyway. Lost the Team Kumite against the runners up - Portsmouth 'A'. Marshall Street won (Sensei OTHA's Club). Got disqualified in the 2/3 round of the individual kumite for excessive punching. Found out this was as a result of concussion I received in the previous round. Due to the latter, could not remember Heian Sandan for the Ind Kata, hence went no further. Did write to the KUGB, Area rep and chief Instructor. So far only got one reply from Sensei Bob Poynton. 6.4.97.
This did not deter me. On 18th May 1997, I entered the team kumite at our local clubs competition where we were placed 3rd! No disqualification. No concussion. Just a torn hamstring. - Will I ever learn, I'm too old! Christopher (aged 6½) was placed 3rd in the individual Kata competition. Would have got 1st if he'd remembered to Kia on the two occasions Nidan required it.
Both Chris and I are 1 st K YU (Brown /2 white stripes)
What can I say? A few of the club members went for black belt gradings - 6th December 1997 - but unfortunately, none passed. I went with Christopher to Slough to watch, but having been fully booked there, it was moved to Reading. So in the end we never got there! Lisa, Boghdan, Andy, Michael and Michael all failed. Ged did not pass his Nidan either, so all in all, it was a miserable day. It does
seem as though by Xmas 1998 and mid 1999, there could be two Black belt Shodans
in the family.
Other Martial Arts Links I've
come across
Moving on, last June 1998 Andy passed his grading and so did Jake at his first attempt. A great feat. Well done to you both.
To cut a long story short, I was to attend the Summer Karate course at Crystal Palace during the first week of September. On the Friday prior to the start I managed to tear my hamstring. Decided to rest over the weekend and go easy during the course. On the Thursday I could have taken my DAN grade. Within the first hour of the lesson, it went again and I had to pull out.
I thoroughly recommend the course to all Shotokan karateka. The Instructors were;
and a special appearance from Sensei Tomita which is sentimental to me in as much as he was the first Karate Examiner I had - in 1981!
my
private E-Mail address
Dave's Shotokan Site is well worth a visit. He has many interesting articles and links available on this page.
| © RED Productions 1995-1999 | |
This page was created using  and is updated and maintained by  |
KARATE
