Makita Sensei is on superb form in Oxfordshire

On Thursday 18th June karate students from across England gathered in Oxfordshire to train with one of the youngest and most highly decorated Hombu dojo Instructors - Takuya  Makita Sensei 5th Dan. Makita Sensei did not disappoint as he led two excellent sessions leaving all the participants exhausted yet completely inspired.

Makita Sensei literally had stepped straight off the plane from Japan and right into teaching at the impressive Can Do Martial Arts dojo. The children’s session was started by Matt Stockham Sensei who warmed up the students with some excellent kumite drills to help develop speed of movement and striking techniques.

Makita Sensei then closed the session with  kihon drills and a thorough breakdown of Kata Heian Yondan. All of the children took on-board the points raised and had noticeably improved the presentation and understanding of the kata by the end.

The adults session soon followed and Sensei wasted no time by working the students hard with continuous punching techniques, emphasising the importance of developing the hikite hand each time you punch to enhance the maximum effectiveness of every technique.

This was followed by some outstanding demonstrations of advanced kicking combinations. Sensei then drilled the combination over and over again allowing the students to practise and emphasised the importance of the continued theme of Hiki Ashi and not allowing your technique to slip when you are beginning to tire.

Without doubt, the highlight of the course was when Makita Sensei taught and demonstrated kata ‘Enpi’. You really have to witness for yourself how impressive Makita Sensei is when performing Kata Enpi, he really does strike the perfect balance between sharp, explosive technique and smooth fluid movement. Then comes the jump. Makita Sensei is able to jump like he is completely weightless. He hangs in the air and lands back in his stance with the most awe-inspiring precision and accuracy. 

Makita Sensei closed the session with more impressive demonstrations of point scoring kumite drills which were then repeatedly practised, helping to develop both speed, movement and timing.

Makita Sensei is a true professional in every sense of the word. It cannot be easy to step off a long flight and straight into teaching but the truth is, Makita Sensei would have taught all night if time had allowed. He is a first and foremost, an extraordinary karate ka but is also a great Instructor who pays attention to detail and really does try to improve all then participants on the course.

Thank you to Ben Richardson and his team at Can Do Martial Arts for another fantastic JKS England Course.