Kiryoku Karate

EVENT: Sensei Wicks WIKF training course

Sensei Hamilton has announced there will be an official WIKF Dan grading and two day training course on the first weekend of September taking place in Newtownards. The primary instructor will be Sensei Jon Wicks 8^th Dan - the highest graded karate-ka in the European federation and Professor Tatsuo Suzuki's principal student. This event includes open training sessions available to non-federation members, but grading will require a valid and updated WIKF passport.

Venue: St. Patricks Hall, Newtownards

Saturday, 04-Sep-2010
12:00 to 13:30 - Dan grading class
14:00 to 15:00 - Training: Brown/Black belt only
15:00 to 16:30 - Training: All grades

Sunday, 05-Sep-2010
13:00 to 14:30 - Training: All grades
15:00 onwards - Grading: Dan & Kyu

Sensei Bell encourages all Kiryoku members to attend this event, whether grading or not as this is great training opportunity with a respected senior instructor.

NEWS: Club training over July holiday

As The Robinson Centre is closed on Sunday 11^th July, there will be no regular club training. The classes for Saturday and Wednesday are both on as normal however.

NEWS: Ballywalter Course grading results

Particular thanks to Sensei Hamilton and Neiman Prince for the Kumite training and grading sessions held in Ballywalter last weekend. Congratulations to all the Kiryoku club members who graded and received their next belts:

5^th Kyu (Blue):

Matthew Blakely
Carl Stinson
Ryan Stinson

Sensei Bell has also indicated that selected junior karateka will be given the opportunity to grade for their next belt in the near future.

EVENT: Master Tatsuo Suzuki Leaders Course

The first leaders course of 2010 is due to take place mid-June in London. As usual, this course is specifically targeted club instructors and aims to ensure that the authentic wado style as taught by Hironori Ohtsuka is promoted and maintained throughout the federation. This 2-day training event is open to all 2^nd Dan (and above) karate-ka and will also feature a Dan grading session for eligible WIKF members.

Venue:Harris CTC College, London
Day1:Sat, 12-Jun-2010 13:00 - 17:30
Day2:Sun, 13-Jun-2010 10:00 - 14:30

As Sensei Bell will be attending this event, all regular club training that weekend will be cancelled.

EVENT: Annual Ballywalter Training course

Niemen Prince (former European & World champion) will be returning to the province as the principal instructor in a kumite development seminar in Ballywalter at the end of June. As with previous courses, this event will be a blend of of sport and traditional karate techniques and all karateka grades and styles are welcome. Sensei Michael Cole 6^th Dan (QUB) will also instruct in Tanto Dori (knife defence) on Saturday. Weather permitting, there will be outdoor training. Kyu grading (up to 4th Kyu only) will also take place for selected WIKF members.

Venue: Ballywalter Parochial Hall

Friday, 25-Jun-2010
19:30 to 21:30 - Kumite, all grades

Saturday, 26-Jun-2010
11:00 to 13:00 - Kumite, all grades
13:30 to 14:30 - Tanto Dori, all grades
14:30 to 15:30 - Kumite, Brown/Black only
15:30 to 16:00 - Basics, Junior grades & kids
16:00 to 17:30 - Kyu grading

This course provides a great opportunity for students to learn from various senior instructors and to meet and train with other students from other clubs. Sensei Bell encourages all Kiryoku members to attend and will be advising on candidates for Kyu grading very soon. Regular club training will not take place on Saturday, 26^th June.

NEWS: Change to mid-week training

As previously posted, Sensei Bell has been running a mid-week training class. Kiryoku has now secured use of a larger hall which means these advanced classes can accomodate more students and take place every week.

Venue: 26^th Scouts Hall, Cregagh Road (map)
When: Wedensday, 19:30 - 21:30

Pricing is still be agreed (this will be affected by numbers) and Sensei Bell has already advised that students are welcome to train for the first hour if that's more suitable (especially for younger members).

EVENT: Sensei Wicks training course

As announced on WIKF Ireland there will be a special one day training course with Sensei John Wicks 8^th Dan.

Venue: O'Raighaillis Gaa Club, Drogheda
Date: Saturday, 22-May-2010
Seniors: 12:00 - 13:30
Juniors: 13:45 - 15:30

NEWS: NIKB 2010 medal success

Thanks to the organisers of the 2010 NIKB championships. Good to see various karate styles competing in an open forum. Congratulations to all the competitors who took part. We're especially proud of the Kiryoku medal winners:

Jessica Morrow - Bronze, Senior Kata
David Graham - Bronze, Junior Kumite

Sensei Bell was impressed with everyones effort on the day and would encourage more club members to take part in future events as they are a great learning experience.