2016 Summer Course Report

2016-summer-course-photo

“Ma Ma”

As in previous years the Academy Summer course was held in Lymington. Unlike previous years, however, the Summer course finished just before the Wado Ryu Karate- Do Renmei 8th International and 52nd National Championships held at the Budo Kan in Tokyo on 30th – 31st July, 2016. Because of this the numbers attending this year’s summer course were down on that of previous years as a lot of regular students had gone to Japan either to compete or to support those taking part. While numbers were down, a total of 44 students attend the course over the 5 days of training. Amongst these students, there were karate-ka from Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Scotland and England. The training was first class and everyone who attended not only enjoyed themselves but also came away with a better understanding of some of the aspect of Wado Ryu karate.

The instructors on the course were, Sensei Arthur Meek 7th Dan Kyoshi, Sensei Robert Howells MBE 6th Dan and Sensei Graham Tuckey 6th Dan. Our Chief Instructor M Shiomitsu 9th Dan Hanshi Shihan visited the course twice during the week. Once to watch the course students go through their paces on the Sunday and then on the final day of the course to join the Dan Grading Panel to assess those who were taking their grading.

On the Sunday through to Wednesday there was, as is the tradition, early morning training. Each day was well attended and for three of the four days the weather was very pleasant. Unfortunately, on the final day when the training transfers to Milford-on-Sea, with the promised dip in the sea, the heaven’s opened and the wind and rain ensured that the sea conditions were too treacherous for that to occur.

Teaching points emphasised by the instructors during the course were such things as: Sen, Sen no Sen, Go no Sen; Kezuru; Ma; Mai and Ma Ma (It is as it is). In addition to this, a good range of Kata, Ippon Gumite, Gumite Gata, Kihon Kumite and Idori, were covered. In his teaching session, Sensei Tuckey asked students to do the kata, Kushanku , in the opposite direction to the normal one. This certainly got everyone thinking and tested co-ordination and timing in a positive way.

 

In the Dan grading 3 students were successful and we congratulate them on their achievement.

3rd Dan – Mark Warden – Seishinkan

1st Dan – Will Major – Farnham/ Aldershot

1st Dan – Michael Jacques – Ohkukai