Diary Dates...

The following dates have been confirmed and should be entered into your Diary.

• Training & Grading Course, with Sensei Peter May - Sunday July 11th - 12-6ish
  
  
• Special Kumite Course (Instructor to confirm) - Sunday September 13th - 12-6ish
  
  
• Training & Grading Course, with Sensei Peter May - Sunday September 20th - 12-6ish
  
  
• Special Kumite Course, with Sensei Lee Minion - Saturday October 17th - 12-5pm
  
  
• End of Year Training & Grading Course, with Sensei Peter May- Sunday December 19th - 11-5ish
  

JKF-Wadokai Kanto Championships

22nd March 2009, Chiba, Japan


Team Shiramizu!
Photo take from the Blog of Arakawa Sensei (Japanese Only)

The Kanto area of Japan includes a number of prefectures including Saitama, Chiba and Tokyo which makes this competition and every category huge! Carl & Amy entered as part of the Shiramizu team. Amy did great in kata, beating some good quality competitors to finish 'best 8!'. Both would agree that they didn't fight their best in the Kumite divisions, Carl crashed out in the third round against someone who insisted on trying to give him concussion! Results are as follows:

• Amy - 'Best 8' Kata
  
• Carl - 'Best 16' Kumite
  

Well Done to Amy on her achievement in Kata, she's certainly put in the time and effort to deserve this placing! Visit the Japan Karate Intern Blog for a full write up.

Aikido & Massage Event

20th March 2009, Belle Vue

Hartlepool Wadokai recently hosted a visit from a local 'Sports Injury Massage' instructor, who also happens to teach Aikido. A few members of the club were taught a number of massage & Aikido techniques during the class.

Chiba Area JKF-Wadokai Dan Test

15th March 2009, Chiba, Japan

Carl recently achieved his Nidan (2nd Dan) at this dan (Black Belt) test in front of a panel of 10 Japanese Sensei!

Club Training & Grading Course

7th March 2009, Belle Vue

Hartlepool Wadokai recently held a Training & Grading course at the Belle Vue Sports Centre. Congratulations to everyone who passed! A full list will follow shortly...

TASK Invitational Inter-Club Championships

27th February 2009, Stockton

Hartlepool Wadokai only entered a small squad of 7 competitors into this competition. Despite this, we still brought back an impressive 5 trophies! A great result for the club... well done to everyone who took part!


Results are as follows:

• Lewis Tucker - 3rd Place KATA
  
• Joel Copeman - 3rd Place KATA
  
• Charlotte Welsh - 1st Place KUMITE
  
• Jack Plows - 2nd Place KUMITE
  
• Lewis Tucker - 3rd Place KUMITE
  

Shiramizu 'Pre-Dan' Test

24th February 2009, Sugito, Japan

Arakawa Sensei from Shiramizu (very) recently notified Carl that he would be trying for his 2nd Dan (Nidan) at the annual Chiba area dan grading. However, before Arakawa Sensei lets any student go before the grading panel, he 'pre-tests' all the candidates to see if they have what it takes.

So on the 24th February, Carl performed a number of Kata followed by some free fighting in front of all the Shiramizu instructors. In the end he was given the 'ok' to take the test.

Instructor Training

23rd February 2009

Sensei Lynne has started a 'Sports Injury Massage' course & Assistant Instructor Vince and Junior Instructor Amy have both started a 'Sport Leader' coaching course. Hartlepool Wadokai has sponsored these individuals to attend these skill development courses provided by the Hartlepool Sports Council.

Shiramizu Club Championships

22nd February 2009, Asukaru Sports Centre, Satte City, JAPAN

This was the 10th anniversary of the Shiramizu dojo' annual club-only championships and it didn't disappoint.


Carl in a 'Tiger Mask'


Power rangers


Arakawa Sensei killing a bunch of roof tiles!

Visit the Japan Karate Intern Blog for a full write up.

Aiwakai Way To Excellence & Winter Course

21st & 22nd February 2009, Alfreton



A number of students & instructors attended this Aiwakai course.

Satte City Area Karate Championships

8th February 2009, Asukaru Sports Centre, Satte City, Japan

This was the first competition of the year for Carl & Amy in Japan.


Both did very well, the results are as follows:

• Amy, 1st Place Kumite
  
• Carl, 2nd Place Kumite
  
• Carl, ‘Best 8, Kata’
  

Amy, with her Gold medal!


Carl in action

Visit the Japan Karate Intern Blog for a full write up.

Shiramizu - Start of Year Training Course

12th January 2009, Japan

Amy attended this event, Carl was working!

Visit the Japan Karate Intern Blog for a full write up.

Nippon Budokan - Kagami Baraki

12th January 2009, Tokyo, Japan


Shiramizu group shot, with Takagi Sensei.

Carl had the honour of taking part in the Nippon Budokan 'Kagami Baraki' martial arts ceremony as part of Shiramizu. Unfortunately Amy was working so she couldn't make it!



Visit the Japan Karate Intern Blog for a full write up.

Shiramizu - Walk to a Temple

11th January 2009, Japan

Carl & Amy took part in the Shiramizu Dojo' annual walk to a temple.


That's Takamasa Arakawa, the owner & chief instructor of Shiramizu leading the walk.

It's a significant event in Japan, its a way of cleansing away the previous year's sin and starting anew.


Visit the Japan Karate Intern Blog for a full write up.

Hartlepool Wadokai - Start of Year Training Course

10th January 2009, Belle Vue Sports Centre

To see in the new year and to get rid of any Christmas cobwebs, Hartlepool Wadokai held a 'Start of Year' training course. The event was held at the Belle Vue Sports Centre and was very well attended. The course covered all the basic techniques, all the Pinan Kata and a number of 'advanced' kata.


The course was finished with a little bit of Kumite (fighting) and finally - 1000 punches, without stopping! A great start to the new year!