York Course - October 2009

A 2 day Karate course and grading held at Wiggington Village Hall with the hosts of Sensei Mike Gude and Sensei Ian Shaw. The instruction and gradings being conducted by Kato Shihan. Dozens of kids attended the course together with a wealth of Dan grades. I have to say it is refreshing to see so many youngsters taking part in Shotokan Karate - in many other areas the modern breed of child knows only of Xbox and Wii ( Whatever they are !!! ).

The grading over and after the presentation of the certificates Rebecca presented Sensei with a hand made 3Kg Kit-Kat. The massive four finger chocolate biscuit was hand made at Nestles in York and as well as the famous Kit-Kat logo sported the Kanji of the IJKA. Now that's what I call a bar of chocolate.

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Course at Radnage October 2009

Picture to follow.

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An early start for the Whitchurch boys to be at Radnage for a 10am start. The journey down was well worth the effort. The 3 hour course was taken by Kato Shihan covering basics, two manning kumite drills from kata applications and kata, All of which left us completely drained. The course over, everyone headed off to the local hostelry for some liquid replennishment and a magnifiscent cavery. Many thanks Dr John Sensei for inviting us along and for looking after us during our visit.

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Unfortunately the journey home was a disaster - the M40 closed - we had to detour across country to the M1 whereas Kato Shihan got stuck in the M40 tailback from the closure and was stationery for over 2 hours !!!

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Isaka Shihan Course - Hawarden, Chester 2009

There was a strong Whitchurch presence for this course held at Hawarden High School, Deeside, Sat/Sun, September 19th/20th with Dick Jones taking part on the Saturday session and Pete Custance, John Fallows, Dave Sanderson, Alan Stanley, Steve Cornes and Jim Pugh all attending the Sunday session. The theme of the course was control of the hips and strengthening the back muscles both lower and upper.

The course was well attended with about 70 plus students of all grades and abilities and began at 12.00 with a brief warm-up. Then after an introduction to Isaka Sensei the course got underway. He began by giving a short lecture on the importance of the hips in karate and also the role of the lower and upper back muscles. To emphasise his point about the hips he put us through a 90 minute series of ground based exercises in both sitting and kneeling positions which he hoped we would incorporate into our future warm-ups. The purpose of these exercises were to loosen up the hips and to “re connect” with our bodies by learning to “feel” the movements rather than just doing them. We then took a 30 minute break for lunch with our hosts The KWF-Wales providing a buffet. We resumed the course at 2.00pm with Isaka Sensei giving us a brief talk on the role of strong back muscles in tandem with powerful, flexible hips. To illustrate this, he demonstrated a series of press-ups using a pair of iron geta. He performed press-ups in the standard position, with arms out wide, with hands close together in front, then at arms length and then finally with staggered hands. He wanted to make the point that the principle benefit of the press-up came when the arms were at full stretch and the upper back muscles were tensed and the back slightly arched and not during the actual lift. Finally Isaka Sensei performed Nijushiho, Jion and Meikyo but not in the traditional manner but rather in the form of a stylised exercise to demonstrate firstly the hips influence in beginning every move and then secondly bringing the back muscles into play giving him the appearance of a predator stalking its prey. To finish we were invited to perform Bassai Dai and Jion in the same manner which was challenging to say the least.

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Blackpool & Wyre Shotokan Karate Club

Pictured at the end of a two hour training session with Kato Shihan at the Blackpool & Fylde Shotokan Karate Club based in Poulton-Le-Fylde. An unbeleivable lesson from Kato Shihan left everbody drenched in sweat having worked through Kato Shihan's basics, two manning drills and kata. The more I train with Kato Shihan and I hear him say 'Last One' or 'One More Time', I attempt to do the drill or kata again to the best of my ability, putting my all into it thinking this is the last one ! Then he says, 'One More Time' and the circle starts again.

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"Mo ichi do" as they say in Japan.
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The above photograph shows members of Blackpool & Fylde Shotokan with members of the Whitchurch Dojo. Postioned in the centre are Sensei Ron Bellwood IJKA 5th Dan - Joe - Kato Shihan IJKA 9th Dan. Our thanks go to Kato Shihan for a great course and to Sensei Ron Bellwood and the members of his club for their hospitality.

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In At The Deep End !

Extract from the Selby Karate Club blog by IJKA Karate-ka Paul Brant ;

I had to be in Lancaster over the weekend and thought that while I was over the West side of the country I would check if it was OK to pay Alsager Shotokan Karate Club a visit. Many of the "Whitchurch Mafia" train at ASKC with their instructor Sensei George Cheshire - 5th Dan. Sensei Steve Cornes met me in the car park and showed me where they train. Nobody had blown my water wings up and I felt that I had just jumped in the deep end and was more than a little out of my depth. At the end of the training I said to Sensei Mark Watts that we had not done anything that I had done before, he replied by saying we had done gyaku zuki. Sensei Steve had taken the warm ups and Sensei Mark had run us through some kihon drills. It was then over to Sensei's Dave Sanderson and Alan Stanley who ran through "Kaze no te" - Fushu (Wind Hands). I was glad when they chose to stay with Fushu, each running through different parts and explaining bunkai etc. I am never very good at remembering Kata so I tried to just relax and try and get the feel and flow of the kata. I have always liked Kashu and with a lot, lot more training and practice am sure that Fushu will hold the same appeal for me. Sensei George Cheshire then ran through Unsu. I have of course seen Unsu a few times and been through parts of it with Sensei Mike Gude at Haxby dojo, but it is not a kata that I have ever learnt. I will have a go at running through the kata, but I am consciously trying to avoid the higher grade katas until I am happier with ones that I should already know at Shodan.There was time for a quick beer in the bar, where Sensei Mark was kind enough to put me right on a few points of Meikyo Nidan before I headed North up the M6. It is a shame ASKC is not a little closer to home, Sensei many thanks for your hospitality and hopefully I will be passing your way again sometime soon.

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Summer Camp - Anglesey July 2009

Yes that's right, this post is titled Summer Camp ! Kato Shihan loves the outdoors and ended his summer in the UK with a visit to Beaumaris, Anglesey with some guests from Bulgaria and members of the Whitchurch Dojo.

The Saturday was spent at Penmon Head looking out towards Puffin Island. Well blessed with sunshine we had a great day there with a B-B-Q lunch and some Guinness.

Alan Stanley after breaking his line and losing Sensei Kato's hooks, lures and weights has his rod re lined by Sensei Kato who has now tied a green balloon to the line so Alan is unable to drag the new weights along the bottom and lose yet more kit ~ the fishing was great but alas we're still waiting for our first mackerel !!
Travelling to Anglesey, A B-B-Q lunch, a couple of Guinness' and some sea air is all too much for Ickle Dave ~ zzzzzzzzzzzzz !!
Paul Kotowski and Mark Watts do the night time curry and B-B-Q whilst Kato Sensei enjoys the atmosphere and company with a Black Water.
Havig stopped at Llanberis on the way home on the Sunday afternoon Kato Sensei continues training, developing techniques whilst he has Alan Stanley attacking.


Thank-you Sensei for a great weekend.

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Kato Shihan's 66th Birthday

Wednesday 22nd July 2009 was Kato Shihan's 66th birthday. A fantastic session was had by all. Now all covered in sweat the Whitchurch Dojo gathered for a birthday photograph before retiring to the bar for some Black Water ( Guinness ) and a lemon sponge birthday cake made by Jim Pugh's wife.

Alan Stanley is expecting Kato Shihan to kick him in the area around the face, you can see him constantly watching and starts to raise his hands in anticipation ! The rule of thumb with Kato Shihan is expect the unexpected ~ watch the video .....OUCH !!

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Summer Course - Whitchurch July 2009

Kato Shihan looks on as Sensei Peter Custance attacks Sensei Keith Crighton with ushiro geri. Just one of the drills Kato Shihan taught during the weekend.

Kato Shihan brings the class to a stop to further emphasise a point which the group were not picking up on. Anyone who trains with Kato Shihan will know the phrase "Mo ichi do", one more time, until everyone gets it right !

Sensei John Murray in full swing attacking Sensei Sharad Karia with a scorpion kick from the Katoryu Kata Kaze No Te ( Fu Shu ~ Wind Hands ). A great weekend's karate and for meeting old friends.

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Training Anglesey - You Come !

Kato Sensei, Dave Sanderson & Milena Galabova pictured at Penmon Head with Puffin Island in the background.

At 2pm on a July Saturday afternoon, a telephone call was received from Kato Sensei that he was on Anglesey camping and if anybody wanted to go there would be training. Mark Watts & Dave Sanderson got together and travelled the 110 miles to meet Kato Sensei & Milena Galabova in Beaumaris, Anglesey. Sensei took them all to a location at the waters edge of the Menai Straits where they trained and practised the Kibaken katas. When they finished training they sat admiring the views eating sushi and drinking Guinness. Sensei then gave them a further tour round Penmon Head looking directly out to Puffin Island.

Pictured above is Milena practising in waterproof fishing gear on a makeshift dojo floor - Kato Sensei's philosophy is the world is his dojo so you should practise whenever & wherever you can.

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What do you tell workmates when they ask,"What did you do this weekend" ?, - because they'll believe you travelled 220 miles for a karate lesson on a concrete step whilst in mufti won't they !!

Kihon Ippon Kumite

The above photograph puts the height into perspective whilst the photograph below details what is actually happening - Yes, karate 200 feet above road level !Alan Stanley & Milena Galabova climbed to the dizzy heights of this rock face and stood on a ledge of rock sticking out at the top. The idea was to get a better view across the idyllic scenery of a Scottish Loch. But Kato Sensei had other ideas - always one for practising he shouts to them to do Kihon Ippon Kumite.
All was set, Milena stands in shizentai - Alan steps back into gedan barai - Normally all you would have heard from Alan would have been, "JODAN" - but on this occasion he quietly said, "I'm going to attack, just DON'T step back" - always the caring karate-ka...

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York Course with Kato Shihan June 2009

The course concluded a busy 10 ten period of travel and training with the emphasis on kihon basics for the end of course grading. The Sunday session finishing with the senior grades covering the kata's Kibaken Shodan & Nidan before everyone retired to the local hostelry for Sunday lunch and some cool liquid refreshment !

Many thanks from the visiting Whitchurch gang to Sensei's Mike Gude and Ian Shaw for their hospitality. Pictured above after training are Jim Pugh, Sensei Pete Custance, Helen Milner, Mark Watts, Milena Galabova & Simon Flint.

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IJKA Stornoway

IJKA Stornoway played host to a two day karate course with Kato Shihan over a four day visit. Milena Galabova, Alan Stanley & Mark Watts from the Whitchurch dojo, Frances Kenny & Phil from the IJKA Bucks dojo and Steve Cameron from Worcester dojo attended the course. The karate with Kato Shihan was excellent covering the Kata's Joko Issei, Kibaken Shodan and Junro Shodan. The visit to the islands of Lewis and Harris were an absolute delight. Both islands displaying spectacular scenery and the eateries found provided the best food tasted in a long time. Members of the Stornoway dojo including Sensei John Murray, Neil, Steve, Diane and Lewie to name but a few went out of there way to make our stay a pleasurable and memorable one. This event is a must for all karate-ka at some point in their karate life, but for anyone venturing this far north you must contact Lewis MacLeod and arrange with him to stay at his mothers B & B. The breakfast is something else, anyone who finishes it has our utmost respect !! and the homemade shortbread Mrs MacLeod leaves in your room every day is to die for.

Kato Shihan pictured above with Alan Stanley & Mark Watts in front of the central monolith.

Below Milena Galabova shows just how strong her yoko geri kekomi is !!!

The Callanish Standing Stones are one of the most significant and important megalithic complexes in Europe. The most impressive set of stones consists of rows of large pieces of Lewisian gneiss arranged in a cross shape. At the centre of the cross is a monolith and a small chambered cairn all of which date back some 5000 years.
I think Kato Shihan is taking this Makiwara training a step to far !!!

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Aberdeen Shotokan Karate Club

Their visas stamped three Whitchurch dojo karate-ka began the 400 mile road north to Aberdeen having been promising to visit for some time. Across Hadrian's Wall, through Edinburgh and they arrived after 10 1/2 hours on the road. Well the journey and effort getting there was well worth it. The Aberdeen boys had arranged two 2 hour sessions, the first on a Thursday evening and the second on a Saturday afternoon. Both sessions were enlightening with everyone contributing to the training. At the end of both sessions all karate-ka left in a pool of sweat before moving off for some cool liquid refreshment and Aberdeen hospitality. If anyone else is thinking of making this trip we can only recommend you do as nothing could be faulted.

Pictured above after training ;-

Davie Cruickshank - Aberdeen - Scotland
Dave Sanderson - Whitchurch - England
Billy Thompson - Aberdeen - Scotland
Alan Stanley - Whitchurch - England
Alex Carroll - Aberdeen - Scotland
Mark Watts - Whitchurch - England

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Asai-Ryu Kata - Joko Yonsei

After the end of another gruelling session with Kato Sensei where we had been taught the Asai-ryu kata Joko Yonsei everyone continues to practise together trying to cement the pattern, timings and applications shown throughout the session. Finally Kato Sensei's most senior Whitchurch student Pete Custance IJKA 6th Dan demonstrates the kata alone in order that it is recorded on video for future reference.

Picture 1 - Uchi uke in kokutsu dachi just before empi in zenkutsu dachi.

Picture 2 - Kiba dachi uraken just before ushiro empi in neko ashi dachi.

Picture 3 - Chudan tateken in zenkutsu dachi - Last move Kiai.

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CSi Watford - Attends the Scene of a Friday Night Training Session at Alsager

Helen "Midget Gem" Milner, aka CSi Watford stopped off at Alsager Shotokan KC on Friday night for a training session with The Boys whilst travelling home from Watford to Yorkshire. A good nights training was finished with the kata Kibaken Shodan before everyone retired to the bar for drinks and some Sushi.

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Sensei Peter Custance 6th Dan IJKA visits Alsager Shotokan Karate Club Dojo

Sensei Peter Custance visited Alsager Shotokan KC where he joined the club instructor Sensei George Cheshire, other members of the Whitchurch Dojo and local club members for a Friday nights training session. A good session was had by all and was finished off by Sensei Custance teaching the Asai-Ryu kata Kakiyoku Sandan. Magic !

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IJKA Bucks. Dojo - Dr John Lyons Sensei

Mark Watts & Dave Sanderson had to visit London over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend to bring someone back home. Not wanting to miss out on any training they contacted Dr Jonathan Lyons from the IJKA Bucks. Dojo and asked if they could train at his dojo on the Sunday morning of this weekend. They joined him and his merry band of Karate-ka for a 2 1/2 hour session before retiring to a local hostelry for an 'All you can eat' carvery. Once fed and watered their passenger was collected from London and returned home covering 425 miles in the round trip. Many thanks to Dr John Sensei and his dojo for their exceptional hospitality. It is very much appreciated.

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Shiseikan Cup & Seminar Kato Shihan - April 2009

Pictured after the karate seminar with Kato Shihan are Mark Watts, Nenov Lachezar (Bulgaria) Alan Stanley & Carl Sponholtz (Denmark). And what a seminar it was - the theme for the 3 hour morning session was gyaku-zuki with Asai-ryu katas Junro Yondan and Joko Gosei taking up the whole of the afternoon session.

Congratulations to Sensei Nenov Lachezar for organising the karate seminar with Kato Shihan and also running the Shiseikan Cup karate competition. The event was attended by over 200 karate-ka from around ten different countries and ran smoothly all weekend. A massive thank-you from Alan Stanley & Mark Watts go to Kato Shihan and Milena Galabova for picking them up from the airport and looking after them for the whole weekend, and to Sensei Lachezar and his team for their support during the weedend which made the stay in Sofia, Bulgaria very memorable.

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More Dan Grade Success - Congratulations !

At the end of the IJKA Spring Course at Whitchurch Kato Shihan made the announcement that Milena Galabova had passed her Sandan grading. Pictured above after training at the Whitchurch dojo practising with Steve Cornes and Kato Shihan watching over. Well done Milena.

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Dan Grade Success - Contragulations !

Over the weekend of the 18/19th April 2009 at the IJKA Spring course at Whitchurch's home dojo Kato Shihan instructed on the katas Junro Shodon - Godan and Joko Issei - Gosei. A mind blowing weekend with years of work ahead to reap the benefits of such lessons. During the weekend Kato Shihan presented students with Dan grade certificates. Congratualtions go to Dr Jonathan Lyons 5th Dan, Lisa Woods 4th Dan, Frances Kenny 3rd Dan, Steve Cameron 3rd Dan, Sunil Agalgatti 2nd Dan and Gordon Crowe 2nd Dan.

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Milena Visits Alsager Shotokan K.C.

Pictured with Milena are the Boys from the Whitchurch dojo after a Friday night training session at Alsager Shotokan K.C. dojo ~ with Kato Sensei away teaching in Russia it gives everyone time to practise together what he has been teaching at home.

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Congratulations

Congratulations to Sensei Mike Kotowski & Sensei Dave Sanderson who have recently been awarded their 5th & 4th Dan grades by Kato Shihan 9th Dan. To survive a karate session with Kato Shihan is an acheivement but to have him award you these grades is fantastic !

Members of the Whitchurch Dojo pictured practising the kata Raikyo at the end of a lesson with Kato Shihan. Raikyo was developed by Asai Shihan and is translated as "Falling Leaves".

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Kato Sensei - Chef / Matt Watts - Chef

Matt is a Chef at the renowned Regatta restaurant in Aldeburgh, Suffolk and had travelled home to go to the karate course in Tuam, Ireland. Once the training was over Kato Sensei asked him when he was going back to Suffolk and if he was staying for training on Monday night at The Raven, Whitchurch. Matt said he would be staying for training on Monday night. Sensei as quick as a flash suggested Matt prepare some Sushi for after training. Monday night training lasted until 9.30pm before we all left for Sensei's house and enjoyed a hot sauna in his garden. Once we were showered and dry we entered 'Pub Shotokan' for a treat. Matt had prepared some sushi, Sensei had also prepared some sushi along with many other dishes. The drink flowed and a feast was had by all. What a fantastic night - many thanks to the Chef's - Kato Sensei & Matt Watts.

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Karate Course Tuam, Ireland - October 2008

First of all we must thank the IJKA Ireland for their hospitality over the whole weekend. Three of us travelled from the Whitchurch dojo for this course and what an adventure it turned out to be. We arrived at Shannon airport on a Thursday lunchtime. We travelled to Fermoy where we joined Sensei Brian Toomey and trained in his dojo ( blood-sweat-tears ) before departing to the local hostelry for a Guinness or two !! This is where it all starting going wrong for us - as the following morning we were going to travel north to Tuam in readiness for the karate course on Saturday & Sunday. Sensei Toomey suggested we travel north via the west coast and visit the cliffs of Mohar, County Clare. We did exactly what our host had suggested but on our arrival we couldn't see a hand in front of our faces due to the dense fog. As we travelled away from the cliffs we approached a village called Ballyvaughan where we drowned the hire car in flooded road. We had the car recovered and then got a taxi to Galway airport where we were given a replacement hire car. Finally we arrived at Tuam at 11.30pm - What a Day !!

Kato Sensei took the two days training which again was exceptional in which he introduced us to the kata's Sen Sho & Sorin Dai Ni Ken ( Wheelchair kata No.2 )

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IJKA European Championships

The IJKA European Karate Championships were held on Friday 15th August 2008 near Venice, Italy. This date commemerates the loss of Asai Shihan who died on the 15th August 2006. A minutes silence was held at the start of the championships and was impecably respected.

Pictured are members of the Whitchurch dojo who had represented both England & Wales in the Championships. The boys returning home with 1 Gold, 8 Silver & 6 Bronze medals.

Back Row - Mark Watts, Pete Custance, Alan Stanley, Mike Kotowski,

Dick Jones, John Fallows.

Front Row - Paul Kotowski, Steve Cornes & Dave Sanderson.

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IJKA Euro Training Camp - Italy 2008

The IJKA European training camp took place in Italy in August 2008. The training seminars were conducted by Kato Shihan 9th Dan & Okazaki Shihan 7th Dan. The training as always was innovative and testing, which bearing in mind the summer heat was thoroughly difficult to deal with. One session however, was conducted in the early morning fresh air - yes we all reported for a two hour training session on the beach at 6am. Half way through the session it was announced that it was Milena Galabova's birthday ( she says she is 21 ), Kato Shihan then lined the whole class up with Milena at the front and as everyone attacked in turn she had to block and counter - well done Milena as there was well over 100 karate-ka in that line up ! The training finished Milena was again attacked on mass by members of the Whitchurch dojo.

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Congratulations

Congratulations on their grading success go to Sensei Peter Custance 6th Dan & Sensei John Fallows 5th Dan ( Both seated at the front ). They are pictured with Kato Shihan 9th Dan and other members of the Whitchurch Dojo after what can only be described as a brutal finale to well earned new grades.

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More Kato Sensei on Youtube

Kato Sensei on a recent visit to Lithuania. Well worth watching as this video lasts nearly 8 minutes but is best viewed direct from www.youtube.com

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Congratulations !

Congratulations to Steve Cornes of the Whitchurch Dojo who was graded to Ni Dan by Kato Sensei on Wednesday 30th April 2008. Enjoy that pint of Guinness - it is well deserved.

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Sensei Kato in Latvia

Kato Sensei seen instructing Shuto-Uke in Latvia in December 2007 with Sensei Pete Custance who had travelled with him from the Whitchurch Dojo.

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Kato Sensei visits The Bahamas

Kato Sensei, Alan Stanley, Dr Jonathan Lyons & Sharad Karia from IJKA England with Sensei Patrick Hana and his students after training in their dojo in The Bahamas. Looking at the pictures below it wasn't all sweating in the dojo then !!! Many thanks to all the karate-ka in The Bahamas who looked after the 'Boys from England'. You did such a great job they are already planning a return trip. Oss.

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Kato Sensei on Youtube

A rare old treat for IJKA karate-ka to see Kato Sensei teaching in Bulgaria. The video having been posted on Youtube. Enjoy a Master at work - it is only just over a minute long but you will find yourself watching it over and over again.

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Well done IJKA Bulgaria for these two videos which are on Youtube. The second video is of Kato Sensei teaching Meikyo Nidan in July 2007 in Sofia, Bulgaria and lasts just under three minutes.

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IJKA York Course February 2008

Kato Sensei demonstrates with Sensei Mike Gude 5th Dan & Sensei Milena Galabova 2nd Dan whilst members of the York, Haxby and Selby Dojo's look on.

Congratulations from the Whitchurch Dojo to Sensei Keith Gullen and Sensei Mike Gude who were recently graded by Kato Sensei to 7th Dan & 5th Dan respectively.

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Visit to IJKA Blackpool Dojo

On Tuesday 19th February 2008 Sensei Kato was teaching at the IJKA Blackpool Dojo the home of Sensei Ron Bellwood and his students. Four of Sensei Kato's students from the Whitchurch Dojo travelled with him for an excellent nights karate. The two hours training consisting of kihon, kumite & kata.

We started with Kihon, or dare I say it basics. During these basic drills / combinations Sensei puts a new slant on them. I know we are only doing techniques which over the years we've all done thousands of times but put in the order and speed at which Sensei wants them done brings a whole new meaning to the word 'Basic'.

We then moved on to kumite. Two manning drills which Sensei has developed for maximum power for the attacker, and tai sabaki with various counters for the defender. Regardless of which you are, only 100% commitment enables you to gain most from the training.

Finally we finished with the kata's Heian Nidan & Gojushiho Sho. Having completed the kata's Sensei then took us through Gojushiho Sho explaining the bunkai as we went as well as challenging the students to come up with ideas themselves !

We all survived another night of Karate with Sensei Kato and lived to tell the tale - The night being finished off with a few glasses of Guinness and a great Chinese meal with Sensei Kato, Sensei Ron and members of the IJKA Blackpool & Whitchurch Dojo's.

Once again, from the Boys of the Whitchurch Dojo can we thank Sensei Ron Bellwood for his welcoming hospitality - the Blackpool Dojo night is always looked forward too.

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IJKA Christmas Course December 2007

What a fantastic weekend of karate. Kato Shihan's unique understanding of karate coupled with his teaching abilities tested all who trained from 4th Kyu, through to 7th Dan. Kato Shihan is pictured with Sensei Alex Carroll explaining to the course students one of the many elements practised during the weekend. Kato Shihan stresssed the importance of relaxation, speed and correct maai - distance - to enhance everyones karate. To finish Saturday's training Hangestu was the Kata with Kato Shihan utilizing different stances to further test the more senior students. And then to finish the course off on Sunday the Kata's Kakuyoku Shodan & Junro Shodan ( both from Asai Shihan ) were done.

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IJKA Italy visit Whitchurch

Sensei Fabrizio Morreale - IJKA Italy - flew into Manchester on Thursday 29th November 2007 from Pisa, Italy with his wife for the IJKA Christmas karate course. He is staying with Kato Shihan over the weekend but was taken out training on Friday night by the boys from the Whitchurch dojo before enjoying a few drinks and Chinese meal. With Sensei Morreale are Steve Cornes, Paul Kotowski, Dave Sanderson, Alan Stanley, John Fallows and Mark Watts.

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