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2003 Wado Academy Championships Report
The Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Association
competition squad traveled to Chippenham on 21st September for the annual
Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy Championships. The competition was presided
over by Sensei M. Shiomitsu, who also presented the trophies to the
winners.
The club did exceptionally well in the adult kata events, taking a
first place and two second places. Joanne
Weatherall took second place in the Adult Female Kata event, being
beaten by 0.1 points by Kim Rawson of Olympiad. Alan Johanssen also made
it to second place in his event, again by the same margin. This makes it
two second places in a row for Alan so far this year, quite an
achievement.
The first place went to Adam Flint (pictured above, right), who competed in the Adult Mixed
Kata 2nd to 5th Kyu category. After the event, Adam, who recently had to
take a 16 month break from karate due to a back injury, said "It
feels good to practice Wado-Ryu karate, compete against fellow students, and
win again - I have missed this. I would like to thank my instructor,
Sensei Nick Quilliam, for his tireless
efforts in helping me when I came back to the club. I'd also like to say a
big thank you to all of the staff at the physiotherapy department at the
Winfield Hospital, without whose help I would not be able to do karate.
"I
would also like to say to anyone who has stopped doing karate for whatever
reason and is thinking about starting back, you can pick it up again. It takes time and dedication, but it is
most definitely worth the effort!"
Sensei Nick Quilliam commented "The whole squad, even those that
did not get into medal positions, did very well today. It is a testimony
to their training, both during the lessons and in their own time, that
they have been able to come this far."
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W.K.A.
Successes at Dan Grading
Several candidates from all over the world took part in the Dan grading
at the Summer Course, trying to pass either their first Dan
grade (black belt) or progress to the next Dan grade level. Two of the
students from the W.K.A.
Sensei Jo Weatherall passed her exam to reach
2nd Dan, whilst Christopher Gibbs passed his first Dan grade to achieve
black belt. Chris, pictured kneeling above, said "Many people start karate with the dream of achieving a black belt - perhaps
this is why they fail. For me this was not the case. When I was 21 I started practising Wado-Ryu Karate-Do. For a whole host of reasons I had to
stop after only a year. This decision was forced upon me and I vowed to start training again as soon as I could. It was 18 years before I achieved
this goal. At 39 I started again, from the beginning, with the view of training for as long as my health would allow. My plans have not changed.
"To 'outsiders' achieving black belt is the ultimate goal. In reality,
achieving black belt is the beginning. I now feel ready to start really training, and to deepen my understanding of traditional Wado-Ryu Karate-Do.
Some 5 years ago my Sensei, Nick Quilliam, said to me that gradings get in
the way of training. This cannot be more true than in the build-up to a Dan
grading. My initial reaction, upon realising I had passed, was that I could
get back to normal training. I am relishing this opportunity. After each grading I have felt a 'fraud' wearing the next colour belt for
several weeks/months. This will be even more true this time. I suspect it will take at least a year to get used to wearing a black belt whilst
training.
"I hope to spend many more years practising and learning traditional
Wado-Ryu Karate-Do from my Sensei."
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March Kyu Grade Competition
The Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Association
competition squad travelled to Yate in March for the annual spring
Kyu Grade competition. The entry was very large, with several clubs
attending. The Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Association
entered competitors into most of the categories, with some excellent
karate being performed on the day, and many coming very close to medal
positions.
Alan Johansen (pictured right with Sensei Nick Quilliam) came second in
the 6th Kyu and below kata category, his first trophy in competition.
He said afterwards "I'm really chuffed, it's been a lot of hard work
and training, and I've gotten a lot out of it. They say that you can't
teach an old dog new tricks. Well, I think this shows that Sensei Nick
Quilliam can!"
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Four Successes at Dan Grading
Several candidates from all over the world took part in the Dan grading
at the Winter Course in Guildford, trying to pass either their first Dan
grade (black belt) or progress to the next Dan grade level. Of the six
that passed their exams, four came from the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Association
. Sensei Leeroy Ellis passed his exam to reach 4th
Dan and Andrew Cowgill 3rd Dan, whilst Bernard Maguire and Sonia
Burford passed their first Dan grades. Sensei Nick
Quilliam commented "This is a major achievement for all of the
students concerned. Each has studied hard for this exam over the past months and
thoroughly deserve their new grades. The Dan grade exams for Wado-Ryu
karate are the hardest of all the styles of Japanese karate, and it takes many years of
continuous study and practice in order to earn the right to wear a black
belt. Well done to all of you!"
Sonia Burford, pictured right with Sensei Nick Quilliam said "I
feel over the moon! It has been one of the hardest things I have ever
done. I would like to give my sincere thanks to everyone at the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Association
for all of their invaluable help, advice and support over the last few
months. Now, where's the champagne?"
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Joanne Weatherall (left)
and Kim Rawson (right).
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2002-ish National Championships Report
The 2002 National Championships were scheduled to be hosted by Stroud
Wado-Ryu on 27th October 2002. Unfortunately the weather decided to score
a "Super-Ippon" against the Stroud Leisure Centre resulting in a
power-cut that meant the event had to be abandoned. However, Sensei Nick
Quilliam is not one to let a bit of wind stand between him and serious
competition so the event was re-arranged for 2nd February 2003. Which is
almost 2002! The event saw over 200 competitors from more than 20 clubs
nationwide compete. There is a full account of the event, including
results, in the Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Academy
section. The Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Association
entered competitors in virtually every category, with some excellent
performances on the day from children and adult competitors. In the
mixed adult kata 4th kyu and below event, Pete Miessner came very close to
picking up some silverware, but he was pipped at the post by Kent Williams
of Shikukai, Devon in a tie and points decision for third place. Pete said
afterwards "I was very pleased to get through to the final. This was
my first competition, and I will be looking to build on this in future
events." Joanne Weatherall (pictured above, left) went
all the way to the final in the Women's Kata 3rd Kyu and above event, only
being narrowly beaten into second place by Kim Rawson of Olympiad. |
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