2010 news archive

20 December: New training session on Fridays

We’re pleased to announce that training on a Friday night will now be split into two classes: 6.30-7.30pm for novice to purple and white belts and 7.30-8.30pm for students who are 3rd Kyu and above. Both sessions will be held at the Parish Hall on Backwell crossroads.

The new class means that both novices and senior grades will receive training that’s tailored to their level.

Our new Friday training session starts in the new year, from Friday 7th January. Sunday morning training continues to be for all grades from 10-11am.

12 December: Club members make the grade in Bath

On Sunday 12th December, Backwell Karate club members took the trip over to Bath University’s state of the art Sports Village for a special training session and coloured belt grading, taken by Sensei Bob Poynton (7th Dan, KUGB). With ten of us there, the club was well represented in the two hour training session, where we were taken through a number of kicking drills on our own and with a partner. Sensei particularly focused on picking an appropriate target 100% of the time. We then moved on to kata, where the senior students were put under the spotlight in front of the rest of the class to demonstrate correct form and performance of katas including Bassai Dai.

The training was followed by a coloured belt grading. Congratulations to Mark, Fergus, Jim and Adam for successfully passing their gradings and thank you to Bath Shotokan Karate Club for organising the day.

The next coloured belt grading is expected to be at the end of March. More news as soon as this is confirmed.

12 November: Training with a Karate legend – Shihan Hirokazu Kanazawa, 10th Dan

Written by Chris Denny, 2nd Dan (Instructor, Backwell Karate)

Sensei Kanazawa is the World Chief Instructor of the Shotokan Karate International Federation (SKIF) and had recently announced his retirement from world travel.

On Sunday 7th November 2010, I attended Watford Leisure Centre where Sensei would be leading a ‘good bye’ course, joined by his sons, Nobuaki Kanazawa (6th Dan) and Daizo Kanazawa (5th Dan), along with the Chief Instructor of Nara Prefecture, Japan - Sensei Ohigashi.

The event was ticket only and had sold out well in advance, due to Sensei’s popularity. The venue was completely filled with around 300 students. As soon as the Senseis entered the hall, there was complete silence and everyone bowed with respect.

Sensei Kanazawa initially addressed the importance and the correct procedure of seiza, using left then right knees and hands.

The course went on to kihon (basics) starting with correct punching and keeping the elbows in. This progressed to short combinations of punches, stressing the use of hips with each punch and block. All the while, Sensei Ohigashi was walking around, reminding everyone of ‘hikite’ (correct use of your ‘reverse hand’).

Whenever we were shown a new combination, Senseis Nobuaki and Daizo Kanazawa would demonstrate these with precision timing and flawless technique. We learned combinations with kicks, punches and blocks and used these with a partner before going into groups of three and using four blocking combinations against two attackers.

During the course, we were privileged to a display of numerous counters to jiyu ippon kumite attacks displayed by Senseis Nobuaki and Daizo Kanazawa.

Sensei Nobuaki Kanazawa also performed the kata Gankaku Sho. This was a highly intricate kata that included moves I had not seen demonstrated in a kata before. It was absolutely fascinating and I joked with a fellow student that we’ll be doing that next. And then we did! Several times. It was excellent and I was glad Sensei Kevin Leigh (from the hosting club) trained in the crowd near me to show us the moves.

I cannot express how honoured I felt to have trained with all the Senseis on this momentous day. After receiving a long standing ovation, Sensei Kanazawa and his colleagues made themselves available for everyone to have their photo with them and an opportunity for Sensei to sign his famous signature on books students had brought with them.

It was truly a memorable occasion and a chance to say goodbye to one of the foremost Shotokan Karate masters in the world.

7 November: Grading and Bill Winfield Memorial Children's competition

On Sunday 12th December Sensei Bob Poynton (7th Dan, KUGB) will be taking a training session and grading at Bath University's sports village, hosted by our friends at Bath Shotokan Karate Club. Training starts at 12 noon and the grading will follow.

Although the training is open to all Backwell Karate students, you'll need to have attended enough sessions in order to be allowed to grade. Please speak to one of the senseis to check if you will be eligible.

After the grading the day will continue with the annual Bill Winfield memorial children's competition. Sensei Bill Winfield was the man responsible for bringing KUGB Shotokan Karate to the Bristol area and was the instructor of Sensei Bryan. The competition is a friendly event that's free to enter for KUGB members, so I'd encourage any under 16s to take part. If you're interested, please speak to one of the senseis.

7 November: Training and grading with Sensei Sherry & Sensei Brennan in December

The final southern region brown and black belt course of the year will be held in Egham Leisure Centre, Vicarage Road, on Saturday 4th December. Tap TW20 8NL into your sat nav or Google Maps. Training is free for KUGB brown and black belts and will be followed by a grading for 1st & 2nd dan. Times are as follows:

Brown belts: 10.30am-12.00pm
Black belts: 12.00pm-1.30pm
Grading: 2.30pm onwards

This is a great opportunity to train with two of the UK's most respected exponents. For more details speak to one of the Senseis

10 July: Celebrating over 30 years' dedication to Backwell Karate

At the end of June, Backwell Karate paid tribute to club founder, Sensei Bryan Gideon, for over 30 years’ dedication to the club.

Club members past and present joined for a celebratory meal, following a well attended training session. Club instructor Tim Griffiths presented Sensei Gideon with a new Karate suit (gi) as a thank you from the club for his ongoing efforts to develop Karate in the community.

Sensei Gideon’s outstanding contribution has helped many local people and families achieve their goal of reaching their coveted Black Belt.

Tim Griffiths, a member of almost 20 years said, "It’s an amazing achievement to have taught Karate non-stop in Backwell for such a long period and today’s turn-out of members who have trained for up to 30 years shows the appreciation of Sensei Bryan’s dedication. The club has always had a great atmosphere driven through traditional martial values which continue to thrive today."

Sensei Gideon founded Backwell Shotokan Karate Club back in 1978 with brother-in-law Bob Padfield.

Backwell Karate always welcomes new members from 7 years upwards and continues to run classes on Friday evenings and Sunday mornings.

20 April: KUGB National Championship entries

The KUGB's flagship event, the British National Championships, will be held in Birmingham's National Indoor Arena on Saturday 15 May.

If you'd like to enter, or you're interested in finding out more, speak to Sensei Tim Griffiths by Sunday's lesson on 2 May. Entries have to be returned in time for the tickets to be sent back out to clubs.

8 April: Kyu Grading, Bath Sports Centre

Bath Shotokan Karate Club will be hosting a Kyu Grading at Bath Sports Centre in the evening of Thursday 22 April. If you're eligible to grade then one of the Sensei's will let you know over the next few days.