Yoshitaka Shotokan Karate Club
News from 2008
December Junior Grading.
(16/12/08) Well done to all who participated in the grading Yoshitaka Karate Club enjoyed another 100% pass rate! A full report will follow in the new year - congratulations again.
Christmas period training times!
(30/11/08) All the classes after the Wednesday 3rd December training session will be at Parkland School at the usual time, with the exception of the Monday Beginners sessions which will start at the earlier time of 5pm at Parkland School. The last session of the year will be on Friday 19th December 2008. Training recommences on Wednesday 7th January 2009.
28th November session cancelled, location change for 5th December session.
(27/11/08) Tomorrow's kata session is cancelled, and next week's Friday session (5/12/08) will be held at Parkland Primary at the usual time.
December Grading.
(18/11/08) Yoshitaka's next grading will be held on the 16th December at St. Benedict's (click here for directions), please see Sensei for further details. Keep training hard!
Photos now uploaded.
(18/09/08) I have uploaded photographs on the site. The photos are of the Yoshitaka club and Patrizio. So far there are now photos on the following pages; instructor page, FAQs page, and the about us page enjoy!
Welcome back...
(02/09/08) Training has restarted after the summer break on Wednesday 2nd September, for training times see this page. During the first couple of sessions Sensei has been going over kata to refresh memories and getting everyone back into karate! See you at the next training session.
Also don't forget to email swanseakarate(at)yahoo.co.uk with comments or suggestions of what you want to see on the website!
Summer Holidays!
(20/07/08) Yoshitaka Karate Club's last training session will be held on Monday 21st July, and training restarts on Wednesday 2nd September-Have a great Summer and see you in September!
Kyu and Dan Grading Success.
(18/07/08) On the 17th July, Yoshitaka Karate Club held its usual Kyu (Coloured Belt) grading, and for the first time a Dan (Black Belt) grading, under the watchful eye of Sensei Camillini and two assistants one being Peter Jones, 3rd Dan from Morriston Karate Club. Daniel (14 years old) reached the level of first Dan (first degree black belt) after performing a very tough grading to an exceptionally high standard. Shaun, Liam, Ben, Leonardo, Rhys, Sion, Liam and Louise successfully graded to first Kyu (final brown belt-brown with two white stripes), which means that in July 2009 they are eligible to take the Dan grade examination! Well done to all that graded.
Pinna Course report.
(16/07/08) Please click the following link to see photos and read about the recent Sensei Pinna course that Yoshitaka Karate Club.
Welcome back Patrizio!!
(09/07/08) Patrizio returned from Italy, where he and some students were training with Sensei Christophe Pinna! A report of the trip will follow shortly. A big welcome back to Sensei Patrizio-who returns to teaching on tonight. Do not forget the grading is coming up shortly, and will be held at St. Bendict's, Uplands on Thursday 17th July, starting at 5pm. Make sure you return your form to Sensei and if you have any questions please see him during a session or via email.
Monday awards-Congratulations!!
(08/07/08) Congratulations go to Alice and Gareth who received awards for kihon and effort. Both preformed exceptionally well and really stood out.
Gareth showed his skill during the combinations, able to perform each one with great skill
Alice maintained a high standard throughout the whole class-which comprised of kihon (basics), kata (forms) and kumite (fighting) techniques-a brilliant achievement indeed.
All students did very well, it was great to see such concentration and effort from such young karate-ka, all should be proud of their high standard of karate-do and we hope to see it displayed at the grading on the 17th July!
Saturday awards-Congratulations!!
(05/07/08) On Saturday Yoshitaka Karate-Ka (karate students) received awards for their high standards and efforts in the practice of Shotokan Karate-Do. It was VERY VERY difficult, in both sessions, to single out individuals for awards. Which is a brilliant achievement and a credit to all who trained. All the students really did well and are constantly improving and will certainly do well in their next grading! Keep up the good work guys and congratulations to those who were selected to receive a medal and certificate.
Awards will also be given out to any Juniors who display exemplary skills this Monday also! I hope you all make it as equally difficult for us on Monday.
Congratulations to the following karate-ka:
Yoshitaka Beginner Juniors 10-11am Saturday.
Alexander (White belt) received the Ichiban Kihon award for his enthusiasm during Kihon (basics) techniques. He listened well and tried to implement all the pointers Sensei gave.
Morgan (White belt) received the Ichiban Kumite award. Morgan did brilliantly during the Kumite (fighting) combinations, each of his moves showed purpose and his kiai was fierce!
Joe (Orange belt - 9th Kyu) received the Ichiban Kata award. Joe displayed great technique both in Heian Shodan and Taekyoku Shodan.
Dominic (White belt) was awarded the Torashin award, throughout all the excises he was enthusiastic and listened to every comment sensei said and tried very hard to better his karate-do.
Yoshitaka Advanced Juniors 11-12noon Saturday.
Luke (Purple belt - 5th kyu) received the Ichiban Kihon award. Luke is constantly improving his combinations and stances, he implements every pointer and constantly corrects himself also! Well done!
Mahir (Green Belt - 6th Kyu) also received the Ichiban Kihon award for his effort during the warm up combinations, he had great technique and this standard was continued throughout the session.
Sadek (Green Belt - 6th Kyu) was awarded the Ichiban Kumite award, Kumite combinations were done at the end of the session, however Sadek preformed them with correct technique and at a lightning fast pace!
Surya and Madhu (Yellow Belt - 7th Kyu) were both awarded the Ichiban Kata award. Both Surya and Madhu have a great understanding of their grading kata, they have remembered and implemented pointers given to them weeks ago and continually implement any instructions Sensei gives. When questioned about the Kata Bunkai (applications) they are both able to show and tell Sensei exactly what every move is for and more importantly how it should be performed and why! They are both very, very impressive kata practitioners for yellow belts!
Steffan (Green Belt - 6th Kyu) received the Torashin award, Steffan constantly strives to better every element of his karate, he constantly listens and absorbs all the pointers and his determination is very apparent through his techniques!
Yoshitaka Junior Karate-ka Skill Awards!
(27/06/08) Awards will be given out whilst Sensei is away training with Sensei Pinna (former WKF World Champion) and in preparation for the grading on the 17th July. From July 2nd to the 7th Yoshitaka training sessions will focus on refining and improving grading syllabus kumite, kata and kihon. Junior Yoshitaka karate-ka who have shown either considerable improvement, put in substantial effort or displayed impeccable etiquette will be rewarded with a medal and certificate of achievement by the instructors in an awards ceremony at the end of Saturday 5th and Monday 7th's session.
The awards are as follows:
'Torashin' award for attitude.
Torashin means tiger spirit/mind and this award is for determination and good attitude. The student will show they are taking on board pointers from Sensei whilst delivering techniques in a ferocious manner. The tiger is of importance to Shotokan practitioners, it is the symbol of Shotokan. The Chief Instructor to the UK, Sensei Keinosuke Enoeda (9th Dan - KUGB) was nicknamed 'the Tiger' due to his ferocious attitude during kumite.
'Ichiban' award for most improved Kata.
'Ichiban' award for most improved Kumite.
'Ichiban' award for most improved Kihon.
Ichiban is Japanese for 'Number 1!' and these awards will be given to students that notably improve their techniques within kihon, kata or kumite during the sessions, through being attentive to their karate.
Wednesday 9th July class location change!
(27/06/08) This class will be the same time, but at St Benedict's Church hall. (click for link to map) Don't forget the grading is also at St. Benidict's on the 17th July. Keep training hard.
Next grading Thursday 17th July, 2008
(07/06/08) The next grading date is set as the 17th July, at St Benidict's, Uplands (click for link to map). In the mean time keep training and trying your best!
No training Bank Holiday Monday.
(19/05/08) There will be no training on Bank Holiday Monday (26th May) training will resume on Wednesday!
Yoshitaka's Second Kumite Course - Report.
(17/05/08) Last night saw the second kumite course with Robbie and Sammi Scott. The lesson focused on kicking techniques for competition, using kicks for self defence (which involved kicking, kick shields!) and getting out of grabs and bear hugs. The next Robbie and Sammi course will be held in later in the summer - details will follow shortly. For details about Robbie and Sammi please click our guest instructors page.
Junior Grading success.
(13/05/08) Today saw 17 junior Yoshitaka Karate-ka take their next grade at St. Benedict's Hall, Uplands. The level of Karate displayed was excellent and all students passed their next kyu grade (belt). During the grading the students had to display kihon (karate combinations and techniques), kata (Shotokan forms) and kumite (fighting) and were assessed in according to the 'United Schools of Karate Wales' Shotokan syllabus. All the students showed their high level of skill in all areas of the syllabus.
Yoshitaka makes the Evening Post!
(10/05/08) More precisely it was Steffan who made the news with his excellent performance at the recent Welsh Karate Kai Competition (gaining a standing ovation!) and his dedication and skill in karate. Well done Steffan we hope you continue to enjoy and do well in karate! Please click the following link for the full article 'KARATE KID STEFFAN'S STANDING OVATION' by Elizabeth Perkins, featured in the 7th May edition of the Evening Post. 'Article on This is Swansea website'.
Yoshitaka's Second Kumite Course - 16th May.
(09/05/08) After the success of the last Competition Kumite Course with Robbie Scott another has been scheduled for Friday 16th May, 2008 at 5.30pm. Robbie has just returned from the EKF (European Karate Federation) Senior Championships in Estonia. As the previous course focused on hand techniques, this course will focus on kicks.
Yoshitaka Junior Grading - 13th May.
(09/05/08) Good luck to all juniors grading on Tuesday at St. Benedict's Church, Sketty.
Syllabus Page Update.
(09/05/08) In line with the governing body, Yoshitaka Grading belt colours will change as of the next grading, so your next belt colour will be from the new system. The grading syllabus pages have been updated. If you have any questions please speak to Patrizio in class.
No training Bank Holiday Monday.
(01/05/08) Training as usual Wednesday.
Adult 1st Dan Grading Syllabus Update.
(01/05/08) The adult syllabus page has been updated with the new Kihon Kata combinations, please see adult syllabus page for the combination. If you have any questions please see Sensei in class or email us. A dojo terms page can also be found by clicking on the Grading Info page.
Kumite Course Report 25th April 2008
(29/04/08) The course focused on WKF competition techniques and was very useful for all who attended. Yoshitaka Karate Club would like to wish Robbie Scott good luck in the upcoming Senior European WKF Championships in Estonia! A further course will be organised in the near future. The provisional date is 16th May-confirmation will follow soon.
Kumite Course with special guest instructor - Sketty Primary School.
(14/04/08) There will be a kumite course with Robbie Scott on Friday 25th April, 2008 it starts at 5.30pm please ensure you arrive in good time for the start of the training session. All those training in the adult session are encouraged to attend (please speak to Patrizio after a training session for more details).
Robbie Scott is a 2nd Dan, Wado Ryu karate-ka and has recently had competition success in Europe, coming joint 3rd in the Junior under 60kg Kumite category of the European European WKF competition (out of 26 entrants) held in Trieste, Italy, 2008.
The session will provide useful for all those training towards kumite competition success in the future!
No training Friday and Saturday.
(14/03/08) No training Good Friday or Saturday 22nd. Have a nice Easter. Training as normal Wednesday 26th March, 2008.
Welsh Karate Kai 2008 Invitational Youth Championships.
(22/02/08) Yoshitaka will be taking a squad to this competition, if you would like to enter the Kata or Kumite events please see Sensei during training for more information and to discuss entering. Spectators are welcome. The competition will be held on Sunday March 16th at the Afan Lido Sports Centre, Port Talbot, doors open at 9am. Please register your interest with Sensei and keep training hard! Report to follow shortly.
Christophe Pinna Course 2008.
(19/02/08) Sensei Camillini has arranged attendance to the Christophe Pinna course held on the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th of July, 2008 in Senigallia, Italy. Christophe Pinna is a multi WKF world champion karate-ka, well known competition kumite expert. The course involves Athletic Training on the beach in the morning and in the evening kumite techniques, tactics and strategies. If you haven't received a letter during training giving further information regarding the course please see Sensei Camillini, and register your interest by 1st March, 2008 as Hotel places are limited.
Patrizio Camillini Godan!
(19/01/08) Patrizio travelled to Cardiff on Saturday to grade in front of the Welsh Karate Governing Body Grading panel, including Sensei Chico Mbakwe. Many congratulations to Patrizio as he was awarded the rank of 5th Dan - Godan. Sensei Camillini's profile page has also been updated with a full bio.
Happy New Year and Yoshitaka returns to training!
(13/01/08) Happy New Year to all! Training resumed on Wednesday 9th January. Please note the new locations of training.