SQUAD TRAINING & TOURNAMENT NEWS

A note from Matthew Soanes 6th Dan (European WKF official) with regard to last year's tournament

"I wanted to write this note to say a huge thank you for everyone's efforts at our recent invitational championships.

We had a busy day with nearly 100 competitors and 135 entries, all done and completed by 3.15pm, which was only due to everyone's excellent team work. The feedback I have received from the coaches and competitors from other groups has been really positive and appreciative of the event that we put on, especially the organisation and running of the event which was down to great work of those running and officiating each of the areas. Many of the coaches are already asking when are we planning to do the next one.

I would like to thank those on the areas who put themselves forward refereeing, judging and running the tables/areas considering this is not a regular event for many of you. You all did an amazing job of officiating the areas correctly, fairly and professionally, and this is one of the main factors which makes for a good competition.

It was fantastic to see the whole group come together to put on this great event, from officiating to making teas and coffees and everything in between was done with enthusiasm and a smile and I hope you all gain from the experience of the day and more importantly enjoyed being there. Thank you to everyone who helped with the set-up Saturday evening/Sunday morning and I couldn't believe how quickly everything was loaded up and packed away after the event, with so many people helping it made light work of what looked like quite a task.

I thought the new Leisure Centre was a perfect venue with very helpful Leisure Centre staff.

If you have any input going forward, of things you feel we maybe can do better, I am always very interested to hear your thoughts.

Once again, a BIG thank you from me and as I say every year, but it is so true, without your help and support this event simply would not happen.

Thank you to Chris Stamp, for being our Medic on the day, luckily his services were not called on except for one incident which was dealt with professionally and in the end didn't turn out to be as bad as it first looked. I have contacted them today and the young man is fine."

National Squad Training

“Open to all Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy member's graded 6th Kyu or above”

Through the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy National Squad training there is the opportunity to compete or officiate at both National and International level, including in Japan.

WADO FRIENDSHIP CUP

International Tournament,

Rome, Italy 2019

Devon members Craig Hill 3rd Dan, James Bolton 2nd Dan, Sabella McPake 1st Dan & Kieran Beer 1st Dan as part of a national Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy squad, winners in every major category, both junior and senior.

Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy National Squad Training Planner for 2024 leading up to the International Wado-Ryu Championships in Tokyo, Japan this coming August:

Sunday 18th February:

Squad Training - Winter Course

Sunday 3rd March: KSE competition, Gloucester

Saturday 20th April: Squad Training, Bridgwater

Saturday 18th May: Squad Training, Bridgwater

Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th June:

Weekend Training Camp

Sunday 7th July: Central England Tournament

Sunday 28th July: Squad Training, Summer Course

Saturday 10th August: Squad Training, Bridgwater

Local Squad Training

“Open to all Devon Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Kai

member's graded 9th Kyu & above”

This is where you can take the first important and vital steps to either competing or officiating.

The founder of Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Hironori Otsuka was born in June 1892 and started to practice Ju-Jitsu from the age of five to overcome infirmity and illness. Otsuka studied under T.Nakayama and at the age of twenty nine Otsuka succeeded his teacher and became the fourth Grandmaster of Shinto Yoshin Ryu. In 1921 Otsuka began to study Karate, first with Funakoshi Sensei and then with Sensei’s Mabuni and Motobu. Otsuka still not satisfied with his study, then studied Yagyu Shiage Ryu Kenjitsu. Finally in putting together all of these vast experiences Otsuka created the basis of his martial art “Wado-Ryu”. Otsuka Sensei sadly passed away in 1982, but his wishes and spirit were firmly carried on by his son Jiro who had over forty years of direct daily training from his father. On the death of his father he was re-named H.Otsuka II. Sadly he passed away in 2015, but has been succeeded by his son Kazutaka who through tradition has now taken the name H.Otsuka III. The Otsuka Soke (founding family) is represented in Europe by the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy which is headed by a direct student of the original Grandmaster, the legendary and world renowned M.Shiomitsu 9th Dan Hanshi. The Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy is the only organisation in Europe teaching and practicing the correct authentic techniques, theories, movements, spirit and standards of Wado-Ryu Karate-Do and Wado-Ryu Ju-Jitsu Kempo according to the wishes of the founder and his family.