World Champion Weekend is a Hit!
Published
Monday, October 26, 2015
JKS Headquarters instructor Shinji Nagaki Sensei and EKF Assistant National Kumite coach Paul Newby Sensei were both crowned WKF World Kumite Champions at te 17th World Championship, held in Mexico in 2004. Nagaki Sensei won the -70KG title and Paul Sensei won the -60KG. It was a great opportunity to train under two champions in one weekend and get an insight into their different methods, approaches and experiences which made the course such an enjoyable yet educational one.
Both instructors were on top form with the emphasis being predominantly on kumite. However, this was complimented with some superb kata instruction led by Nagaki Sensei and some excellent throws, locks and holds with Paul Sensei pulling from his vast knowledge of other martial arts such as wrestling.
The weekend was also a chance to say goodbye to Nagaki Sensei who headed back to Japan two days later after spending two years living in Ireland and then Scotland. Nagaki Sensei will be teaching at the JKS Headquarters in Japan. In order to celebrate the event a superb Saturday evening was had in Nottingham City Centre. A small gift was presented to Nagaki Sensei from JKS England and Paul Sensei even took his England badge off his dogi and gave it to Nagaki, a lovely gesture!
Feedback has been superb and we certainly look forward to welcoming back both instructors in the future.
Following the course was a shodan and nidan grading under the watchful eye of the grading panel; Alan Campbell 6t Dan JKS, Matt Price 6th Dan JKS and Steve Carless 6th Dan JKS. Congratulations to the following successful candidates.
Shodan
Holly Bamford - Haxby
Oliver Daniels - TKF
Andy Grey - Leeds Karate Academy
Sian Hutchinson - TKF
Aaron Langley - Sho Gai
Cameron Panday - TKF
Matthew Ross - Kaizen No-Michi
Paul Steward - TKF
Nidan
Rhianon Hughes-Rowlands - JKS Brecon