Sakagami Sensei, Training & Grading Course

Sunday 15th November,

Hartlepool Wadokai were invited to the Hartlepool Kihon-Do Karate Club at Manor College of Technology for a Training and Grading course with Sensei Sakagami. We pre-tested our Purple belt juniors on Wed 11th, to see who was ready to grade. All the students we selected passed with flying colours and were fantastic ambassadors to our club - well done! Sensei Michael & Carl along with an injured Sensei Lynne (who couldn't train) were there to support the students.

The juniors posing with Sakagami Sensei

The following students were successful with their belt tests:

• Vince Dawkins - 2nd Kyu
• Beth Gray - 2nd Kyu
• Jasmin Langley - 3rd Kyu
• Luke Dawkins - 3rd Kyu
• Joel Copeman - 3rd Kyu
• Daniel White - 3rd Kyu
• Connor Dougherty - 3rd Kyu
• Charlotte Welsh - 3rd Kyu

A special mention to the following students who also trained with Sensei, but didn't attempt a belt test:

• Connor Butterfield,
• Kate McCaffery
• Andrew Fleet
• Keith Windross
• Graham Field

Well done once again to all students who graded, you all really deserved your passes! Now the real hard work starts, now that you're brown belts!!!

Sensei Peter May Training Course

Saturday 11th July 2009, Belle Vue Sports Centre.

Today we had yet another great training course with Sensei Peter May, 6th Dan who was as usual assisted by Sensei Mairi Kerin.

The kids trained first with Sensei putting everyone through the basics, including some simple but effective reaction training.

Then, everyone moved onto basics and Kata training. To finish off, Sensei and Mairi put the kids through their paces with some Grappling Drills which everyone of them loved.

The Seniors started with basics, and moved onto some great sparring drills and finished off with an indepth look at Seishan Kata - which was completely for Carl and Amy's benefit because it's the compulsory Kata for the European Championships in October.

A little bird told us that it was Sensei Peter May's birthday on the following Monday, so we got him a delicious chocolate cake after the kids session to make sure he was suitably embarrassed.

The Usual Suspects - (L-R) Sensei' Mairi, Lynne, Michael, Carl, Sensei Peter May, Vince, Amy

Thanks again to Sensei for another great course. The next one is booked for September 20th at the same venue.

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...