Joe, Ana and Paul made the long journey to Cheltenham to get some valuable experience ahead of the HDKI Internationals in Japan this year.
It was an excellent day filled with great karate, and we’re delighted that Ana won gold in kumite, Joe took double silver, and Paul double bronze.
Members of Randori attended the HDKI Christmas Course to train under Scott Langley Sensei, Matt Pain Sensei, and Paul Uren Sensei.
We were also delighted for Kelly Atkinson Sensei being presented with her Dan grade Certificate by Simon Bligh Sensei.
Our final grading of the year saw over forty students up before the panel with excellent results all round.
A huge congratulations to all who passed!
Each year, our friends at Sonchō Karate Club in Cheltenham host the Kata Buddies competition, where entrants join up to compete in pairs Kata raising money for the FairFight Foundation.
This year, we were delighted to submit various entries via video, and the results were great:
Pippa and Sophie – Heian Sandan – Gold
Issac and Oscar – Kihon Kata – Bronze
Kelly and Ana – Heian Sandan – Bronze
Corey and Paula – Heian Godan – Bronze
However, the best news is that the event raised £600 for FairFight. Hopefully we can help raise even more next year!
Vicar’s Cross hosted a fantastic course with HDKI GC Squad Coaches Julie Nicholson Sensei and John Hodsworth Sensei.
We had an in-depth look at Bassai Dai, and various kumite techniques.
We are delighted to announce Kelly passed her Shodan assessment, earning her black belt, and are all very proud of her.
Joe and Ana spent their Sunday at the HDKI National Squad session in Dudley.
It was a heavy session on the legs, working on coordination and timing, and stability in stances to allow fast and fluid movements. These were put into practise in Heian Nidan and Sochin.
An excellent experience, and all who took part showed a great attitude and effort.
We were proud to take our team to the HDKI Nationals in Birmingham this year — an excellent and exceptionally well-organised event.
A huge congratulations to Pip, who earned a silver medal in Kata, performing Nijushiho competitively for the very first time.
Stuart Amos Sensei delivered an outstanding performance, winning both the Senior Kata performing Unsu and Senior Kumite, and becoming HDKI-GB’s first-ever 2× Male Grand Champion. To top it off, he was also honoured with the Palma Diosi Award for Most Spirited Senior Competitor.
We’re incredibly proud of everyone who took part — your effort, spirit, and dedication truly represented our club at its best. Well done to all competitors at this year’s Nationals!
One of our kids, Ana, has written an article for the Budo Mindset Magazine.
Her article can be found here
Several members of the club spent their Saturday in Castleford working with HDKI GB Squad coaches Julie Nicholson Sensei and John Holdsworth Sensei on their kata
Various aspects were covered, helping them to refine their kata performance, especially looking towards upcoming competitions!
Stuart Amos Sensei conducted an online training seminal with our HDKI friends in Ukraine, and gives great thanks to юрий повх Sensei for the opportunity.
Students from both Randori Shotokan Karate Club and Fenikkusu Shotokan Karate Club came together as part of the seminar, supporting friendship and training together.
We are all much looking forward to being able to do this in person in future!
