The recent KUGB Southern Region Championships, which took place on 23rd June, proved very successful for both Woking and Egham clubs. Members of the clubs won many trophies, mostly in Kumite, including gold at both the Male and Female Team Kumite. The results are a testament to the hard work of both students and instructors and particularly Sensei Dave Austin.
The star of the competition was no doubt Sensei Jamie Sims who went on to win no less than 4 titles: 4th at Male Kata, 1st at Junior Male Kumite, 1st at Team Kumite and also the Tony Francis Trophy for best all-round competitor. See Sensei performing an impressive Ippon:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BetdMfbRw5Y]
The full tally of trophies includes:
Gold at Male Team Kumite: Sensei Dave Austin, Sensei Blyth Baker & Sensei Jamie Sims
Gold at Female Team Kumite: Emily Fanning, Natasha Ferrier, Olivia Magennis
Gold & Silver at Female Senior Kumite: Emily Fanning, Natasha Ferrier
Bronze at Male Kata Dan Grade: Sensei Jamie Sims
Gold at Male Junior Kumite: Sensei Jamie Sims
Gold, Silver & Bronze at Girls’ Kumite Under 5’3″: Angela, Natasha & Anesha
Bronze at Boys’ Kumite Over 5’5: Petar
Well done everyone for an amazing achievement!
Sensei Neil Jerome from Kenmei Karate also has a very successful competition winning silver at Male Kumite and Broze at Kata. Congratulations!
The latest kumite training session took place at Egham Karate Club on 14th June under the instruction of Sensei Dave Austin. The lesson focused on foot work and maneouvering to optimise defence and attack. In a series of escalating exercises we practiced moving in different directions corresponding to the hours on the clock (e.g. 9 o’clock means moving to the left at a 90 degree angle to the attack).
The lesson also highlighted other important points such as maintaining the correct distance for striking and for defence and keeping one’s guard up at all times.
Sensei Austin has promised to publish a schedule for more kumite lessons after the Southern Regions Championships, which will be posted here as well.
The video below taken during the lesson contains most of Sensei Austins instructions and explanations and excerpts of students practicing. Enjoy!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS3m6Brd82c&w=560&h=315]
The session under the instruction of Sensei Williams, which consisted mostly of fitness exercises and sparring, tested everyone’s endurance.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8QsJPeg2BE&w=560&h=315]
Video sequences from the kumite training session of March 1st. The session with Sensei Dave Austin focused on reaction training. Stay tuned for more upcoming special sessions in Egham and Woking.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnAzrJWuH38]
Congratulations to all the members who attended the grading in Egham on 22 January with Sensei Bob Poynton and passed their exam.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUow_uJmcpk]
On saturday, January 14, we held a special training session with Sensei Dave Austin, 5th Dan, who is the chief instructor at the Egham Karate Club. The lesson focused on the bunkais (applications) from the first four basic katas – Heian Shodan to Heian Yondan.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bz6zxvQ86c]
