SQUAD TRAINING & TOURNAMENT NEWS

The main emphasis within Devon Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Kai is and always as been to adhere to the deeper meanings of Japanese Budo and to ultimately study and benefit from a lifetime of dedicated study and practice in an honourable, loyal and sincere way. We do not consider ourselves to be a "competition" dojo, in saying that our group do compete at all levels of competition keeping this aspect separate from our normal training and classes. We believe and know from experience it can bring many benefits for younger people in particular, if done in the correct manner. Over the past four decades or more, members of our group have had an incredible amount of success both as competitors and as officials at all levels of tournaments both within Wado-Ryu Karate-Do and within the World Karate Federation including at international level in both Europe and Japan.

A note from Matthew Soanes 6th Dan (European WKF official) with regard to this 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.

There is a further session also planned for Saturday 14th June. We are hopeful of an international contest being organised before the end of the year which we would like to take a squad to represent Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy England. Only those attending squad training regularly will be considered.

Local Squad Training

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

member's graded 8th Kyu & above”

This is where locally you can take the first steps to either competing or officiating. There is also through local squad training the opportunity to compete or officiate locally, regionally or nationally.

To All Members,

Apologies it has been sometime since we have done a local squad session. This was mainly due to to my availability and focus on my own training for my 4th Dan grading examination. I would like to now get this more organised and more regular going forward.

All squad training will now be held one Monday a month at the Torrington Community Hall in behind the old 1646 building (where the Post Office is).

Training will be from 7.00pm - 8.00pm. The sessions will vary between kata and kumite, but will allow us focus on one or the other on each session also.

Squad sessions are for anyone 8th Kyu and above. Please bring mitts, gum shields and a drink with you.

Sessions will be £2.50 per session. Either pay on the day or message me for bank details if you want to bank transfer.

There is no need to book through the website for these sessions.

The dates are as follows:

April 14th 2025

May 19th 2025

June 16th 2025

July 14th 2025

Anyone who attends the open mat sessions on a Monday currently these will still run on these Mondays, we will just split the hall up.

For anyone interested in the open mat this runs every Monday at the Torrington Community Hall from 7.00pm - 8.00pm. It's open to any grade and is a good chance to do some personal training.

Look forward to seeing and sharing training with you,

Craig Hill 4th Dan

The founder of Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Hironori Otsuka was born in June 1892 and started to practice Ju-Jitsu from the age of 5 to overcome infirmity and illness. Otsuka studied under Nakayama Sensei and at the age of 29 Otsuka succeeded his teacher and became the 4th Grandmaster of Shinto Yoshin Ryu. In 1921 Otsuka began to study Karate, first with Funakoshi Sensei and then with Sensei Mabuni and Motobu. Otsuka not satisfied further studied Yagyu Shiage Ryu Kenjitsu. In putting together these experiences Otsuka created the basis of “Wado-Ryu”. Otsuka Sensei passed away in 1982, but his wishes and spirit were carried on by his son Jiro who had over forty years of direct daily training from his father. On the death of his father Jiro Otsuka has custom was re-named H.Otsuka II. Sadly H.Otsuka II passed away in 2015, he has been succeeded by his son Kazutaka who has taken the name H.Otsuka III. The Otsuka Soke is represented in Europe by the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy 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.