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]
It’s kumite night again this Thursday, May 17th at the Egham Karate club. These intense sessions are a must for anybody who wants to improve their fighting skills and kumite techniques. If you are on full membership and pay by standing order the session is absolutely free. Otherwise sessions are £7. More kumite sessions on May 31st May June 14th.
A little reminder from last time:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8QsJPeg2BE&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]
Yesterday, Thursday, April 19th, Sensei Dave Austin gave another thrilling Kumite session at Egham Karate Club. Sensei Austin gave the analogy of a spider waiting ever ready and responds immediately to any interference with its web. Sensei Austin likened the spider’s web to the space around the karateka which they must maintain and respond as soon as an opponent or a threat enters it.
In a series of sparring drills beginning with very basic touch and evade and gradually escalating up to Jiyu Kumite we practiced different scenarios and hones our Kumite skills. In between there were plenty of press-ups just to make sure we keep fits and get back in line quickly.
In addition to the regular Egham Club members the special session attracted karatekas from Woking, Farnborough and Royal Holloway University.
Next session is on this coming Thursday, April 26th.
A message from Sensei Dave Austin:
“Dear all,
Egham squad training dates as follows, usual time & place: 19/04, 26/04, 17/05, 31/05 & 14/06. These sessions will be specifically aimed at kumite and will be invaluable for competing, grading & generally improving your karate. Spread the word by web, txt, phone, facebook & gossip. All grades welcome! I expect good turnouts.
Yours in budo,
Dave.”
Egham karate club will be holding a special kumite training session next Thursday, March 1st from 20:00 till 21:30..
