Update: Sensei Ohta Courses 13th-15th June 2008
Once more we were fortunate to have Sensei Ohta 6th Dan JKA visit our association on 13th, 14th and 15 th June. The courses were well attended with Sensei Ohta covering various aspects of Kihon, Kumite and Kata. As usual there were some innovative Kihon and Kumite exercises for us to practice which always makes for an enjoyable training session.
Kyu gradings were also held. Congratulations to all students who passed a kyu grade.
Sensei Ohta's next visit to our association will be on 5th July.
Good Luck to the JKA Scottish Team for the JKA European Championships
in Belgrade 5th April 2008
We would like to wish good luck to the JKA Scottish Team that is travelling to Belgrade Serbia for the upcoming JKA European Championships on Saturday 5th April 2008.
The JKA Karate-Do Shotokan (Scotland) members that are travelling as part of the Scotland party are: Craig Stewart, David Bettley, Martin Sommerville, Jamie Stewart and Bert Stewart.
Good luck to all in Belgrade.
JKA European Championships
Belgrade
Serbia 5th April 2008
Karate Do-Shotokan Squad members are currently training hard for the upcoming championships where they will be representing Scotland as part of the JKA Scottish Team.
Sensei Osaka 8th Dan JKA Course and Dan Grading 18th and 19th March 2008 Report
The Queen Anne High School Dunfermline was the venue for a Special Brown and Black Belt Grading Course and Dan Grading with Sensei Osaka 8th Dan JKA with JKA students from all over Scotland travelling to participate in this much anticipated event which turned out to be one of the largest JKA Dan gradings held in Scotland for quite some time. Dan Gradings were held for Shodan (1st Dan) up to Yondan ( 4th Dan) with over 50 students attempting a Dan grading the following day after the special course.
The following is a brief report of the event
Special Grading Training Course Tuesday 18th March:
The structure of this seminar was slightly different from normal in that it was geared specifically towards those that were sitting a Dan Grade examination the following day. After the introductions and warm up Sensei Osaka started with a few basic exercises that concentrated on correct use of the hips their correct rotation and timing while delivering various blocking and striking techniques and moving from one stance to the next. Correct footwork was also emphasised to ensure that both the technique and stance's direction of power was in the same line and moving forward towards the target. Sensei Osaka's slow motion demonstrations as he moved from one stance to the next showing correct use of hips, knees, legs etc. were quite amazing but also clearly showed what was required.
Next Sensei Osaka went over various basic combinations from the JKA Dan grading syllabus where he highlighted specific areas of note on each combination which also included points from the previous exercises.
The second half of the seminar concentrated on Kata. Everyone that was sitting a Dan grading identified their kata and were given time to practice with those not sitting a grading picking a favourite kata from the selection chosen. Sensei Osaka then spent time going over each of the Katas chosen again demonstrating specific important points on technique and timing etc. This proved to be very beneficial for quite a few of the students who were sitting a Dan examination the following day as Sensei Osaka spent time helping various individuals with some last minute instruction which was an opportunity that does not come around often.
After 3 hours of the highest quality instruction the class came to an end with all student s showing there appreciation.
The above photo (sighed by Sensei Osaka) shows the Brown and Black belt class many of whom were sitting a Dan grading the following day.
JKA Dan Grading Wednesday 19th March:
The day had finally arrived for those sitting a Dan grading examination and you could feel the tension and nerves in the dojo at the prospect of sitting a JKA Dan examination in front of such a world renowned and esteemed instructor who is known for his exceptional technical ability.
Once the grading got under way the students went through their respective Kihon, Kata and Kumite. This was done for each grade being attempted 1st Dan to 4th Dan. After just over 4 hours it was all over and all that was left to do was to announce the results.
Congratulations all JKA students who passed a Dan grading that evening and who can now look forward to receiving a JKA diploma from JKAHQ signed by Sensei Osaka. It will definitely be two days that many will remember for a long time.
We would like to thank Sensei Osaka for his time spent in Scotland.
The following are the JKA Karate-Do Shotokan (Scotland) students who passed:
Shodan (1st Dan):
Samantha James
Fiona MacKay
Stephen Shute
Ashley Gillies
Ronnie Gillies
Scott Gillies
Ann Wightman
Matthew Bushell
Andrew Reid
Jamie McDonald
Leigh Deans
Scott Black
Jordan Boyce
Nicholas Krsteff
Arun Khaira
Tara Shannon
Graeme Smith
Ryan Smith
William McGowan
Congratulation to all the above and also to the members of JKA WFS who also passed Dan grades that evening.
The JKA course and Dan grading was organised jointly by JKA Karate-Do Shotokan(Scotland) and JKA WFS. Both groups are now currently planning the October JKA Scottish Gasshuku.
Orkney March Course and Kyu Grading
Orkney March 2008 Course and Kyu Grading
On Friday 7th March 2008 Orkney karate was pleased to welcome back Sensei Alan Simpson 5th Dan JKA for our Spring Course and Grading
Nearly 60 karate students and instructors attended the course on Friday evening. This course concentrated on basic technique and partner work. This allowed all grades of students to participate in the class. A section of the class included work on Kihon kata with Sensei Simpson emphasising the importance of a strong stance and turning correctly. Sensei also concentrated on kicking exercises and emphasised the importance of setting the leg in the correct way before executing the kick. The class also included Kihon kata with a slight difference, as students were only allowed to use kicks
On Saturday morning the class from 10 am to 12 noon, was for purple white belt and above. This was well attended with the club now having a very healthy senior class. Once again Sensei Simpson concentrated on basic technique, running through the grading syllabus for Shodan. The second part of the class concentrated on kata, including Bassai Dai, Jion, Enpi and Nijushiho
In the afternoon the course was for white to purple belts. This class concentrated on hip rotation and mechanics, and using basic blocks to counter an attack by sanbon zuki, triple punch. The final section of the course worked on kata's Kihon, Heian Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan and Godan
Following this course a grading was held with 46 students sitting an examination. Congratulations to all who passed their grade
Thank you once again to Sensei Simpson for a great course and grading
KDS Regional Courses with Sensei Ohta 6th Dan JKA. February 28th to March 2nd 2008
Thursday February 28th to Sunday 2nd March saw Sensei Ohta 6th Dan JKA visiting our association for our regional courses. These courses are always very popular and well attended and were spread over 4 venues Perth, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Saltcoats Ayrshire. As usual the standard of instruction from Sensei Ohta was not only of a high technical standard but also very enjoyable.
Kyu gradings were also held over the weekend. Congratulations to all KDS members who successfully passed a Kyu grading
KDS at the SKGB Scottish National Kumite Championships
The SKGB Scottish National Kumite Championships were held on Sunday 18th November at Meadowbank Sports Centre Edinburgh. Karate Do Shotokan (Scotland) was represented at this event by a number of our members who all competed very well and to the best of their ability. Thanks to all KDS competitors who represented the association at this event. For a more detailed report please use this link.
November Regional Courses with Sensei Ohta 6th Dan JKA
Sensei Ohta 6th Dan JKA visited our association from Thursday 15th to Saturday 17th November for our November Regional Courses. The Courses were held in Musselburgh, Aberdeen and Port Glasgow over the 3 days. As always the courses were very enjoyable and well attended with some members managing to attend all 3 courses even though this meant quite a lot of travelling.
Kyu gradings were also held over the weekend. Congratulations to all KDS members who successfully passed a Kyu grading.
Special October JKA Scottish Gasshuku 2007 Report
Queen Anne High School Leisure Centre Dunfermline was the venue from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st October for a special JKA Scottish Gasshuku. Over the 3 days students who attended were treated to a fantastic weekend of instruction of the highest level from the following JKA Instructors
Sensei Osaka 8th Dan JKA
Sensei Ohta 6th Dan JKA
Sensei Inokoshi 4th Dan JKA
From Left to Right Sensei Osaka, Sensei Ohta and Sensei Inokoshi at the Gasshuku
The course was very well attended over the 3 days which along with the high level of instruction and friendly atmosphere made for a successful course. This event was organised by the JKA Scottish Umbrella Group
For report and more pictures from the above Gasshuku please use this link
Kirkwall Orkney Dojo September Course and Kyu Grading
Our Kirkwall dojo in Orkney held a special course and Kyu grading over Friday 28th and Saturday 29th September. The visiting course Instructor was Alan Simpson 5th Dan JKA. A number of students (pictured below) then sat their kyu grading following the training on Saturday. The course was well attended and all students seemed to enjoy the two days training and showed a lot of enthusiasm and effort. Congratulations to all students who passed their kyu grading.
Kirkwall Dojo Students and Instructors following the Kyu Grading
Alan Simpson 5th Dan JKA demonstrates Ushiro Mawashi Geri on Kirkwall Instructor Keith Moar.
Sensei Ohta 6th Dan JKA visits Scotland
Saturday 30th June 2007
The Carnegie Centre in Dunfermline was the venue for a visit to Scotland from Sensei Ohta 6th Dan JKA. Students from all over Scotland from as far away as Orkney travelled to Dunfermline to take up the opportunity to train with this very popular instructor.
Once more nobody was disappointed as Sensei Ohta demonstrated his excellent teaching ability and technique. As well as his unique Kihon and Kumite drills Sensei Ohta also taught a number of Kata's over the two sessions with each one ending on an individual demonstration by Sensei Ohta. As expected this was a very enjoyable course and the first question asked by many of the students at the end being “when is the next one? ”
Sensei Ohta has a long history of teaching in Scotland and we are all looking forward to his further visits in the future.
Following the course KDS Instructors Bert Stewart and John Deans travelled to London to attend the JKA England National Championships as guest referees which were held on the Sunday.
Dalgety Bay Course and Kyu Gradings
Saturday 11th August saw a Course and Kyu Grading hosted by the Dalgety Bay Dojo. The course was well attended with many KDS Senior Instructors taking part along with students travelling from other dojos to participate in the training. This made for a good atmosphere during the course. Congratulation to all students who passed Kyu grades.
Karate-Do Shotokan (Scotland) welcomes new dojos
Dalry and Kilbirnie Dojos:
We would like to welcome Instructor Sandy Kerr and his assistant instructors and students from the Dalry and Kilbirnie dojo's to our association. Most of you will already know Sandy who is a very experienced Instructor and we look forward to having them as part of our association.
Karate Do Shotokan (Scotland) June Course and Kyu Gradings
The weekends of 16 th -17 th and 23-24 th June saw a number of courses and Kyu gradings being conducted by Karate-Do Shotokan (Scotland). Courses were held over the 2 weekends in Aberdeen, Perth, Port Glasgow, Musselburgh and Saltcoats. The Port Glasgow course also included an additional Squad Training Session. A course and Kyu grading is also planned for later in the year in Kirkwall Orkney. Congratulations to all KDS members who successfully passed Kyu gradings on these courses.
News
Update: Sensei Ohta Course 5th July 2008.
Saturday 5th July was the date for the latest visit to our association by Sensei Ohta 6th Dan JKA with the East Region hosting this course. The course was enjoyed by all who attended and took the opportunity to once more experience Sensei Ohta's enthusiastic teaching and high technical content of his classes.