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ABOUT US
Carmarthenshire Karate is a collection of voluntary
clubs run by Sensei Mair Phillips [4th
Dan], teaching traditional Wado Ryu style karate. We are members of the Welsh
Higashi Karate Kai, under the chief instruction of Shihan Barbara Mumberson [6th
Dan]. In turn, we are members of the Welsh Karate Governing Body, the only
recognised governing body for karate in Wales
We have been established for many years, with Carmarthen club itself over 30 years old, opened by Keith and Barbara Mumberson. Keith is a legend in the karate world and we are privileged to be able to continue his work. When Keith died over ten years ago, Suzy Soravia and Mair Phillips continued to run the club and maintained its strong reputation. We have since opened three further clubs in the county: St.Clears, Laugharne and Cefneithin, which continue to grow.
Mair's horizons were huge and she continued to put a vast amount of time into improving her own skills and that of her classes. All this wouldn’t have been possible without the support of her very able assistants Eirian Jones, Dan Phillips and Nia Rees [all 2nd Dan]. With Mair’s drive and enthusiasm to build a top class group emulated in their attitude the success of the group has run into many fields.
A competition squad has been developed by a lot of hard work by instructors and students alike and continues to grow in strength and size. Many of our senior students have gained a wealth of experience having competed at National level and brought back a shed-full of medals to the club. They are in a great position to mentor the new additions to the squad that we introduce on a regular basis.
We have been established for many years, with Carmarthen club itself over 30 years old, opened by Keith and Barbara Mumberson. Keith is a legend in the karate world and we are privileged to be able to continue his work. When Keith died over ten years ago, Suzy Soravia and Mair Phillips continued to run the club and maintained its strong reputation. We have since opened three further clubs in the county: St.Clears, Laugharne and Cefneithin, which continue to grow.
Mair's horizons were huge and she continued to put a vast amount of time into improving her own skills and that of her classes. All this wouldn’t have been possible without the support of her very able assistants Eirian Jones, Dan Phillips and Nia Rees [all 2nd Dan]. With Mair’s drive and enthusiasm to build a top class group emulated in their attitude the success of the group has run into many fields.
A competition squad has been developed by a lot of hard work by instructors and students alike and continues to grow in strength and size. Many of our senior students have gained a wealth of experience having competed at National level and brought back a shed-full of medals to the club. They are in a great position to mentor the new additions to the squad that we introduce on a regular basis.
TRAINING
Carmarthenshire
Karate’s clubs teach traditional Wado Ryu style karate but also
encourage
students to enter competitions, and we have had much success at
National level. We also embrace teachings and techniques from other
styles of karate, since many of them have good things to offer.
In the Dojo, each class begins and ends with formal etiquette. Sensei and students bow to indicate their respect for each other before proceeding to the session’s content. Safety is of great importance and adequate warm-up, stretching and warm-down are built into each session; this is part of the instructor qualification assessment, which all of our instructors have undergone.
Different styles of karate place emphasis on different aspects of the art. Some regard karate primarily as a sport, and as such are more competition orientated, whilst others adhere to the traditional values and look on karate as a way of developing harmony of body, mind and soul. We aim to find a balance in our teaching, realising that different people will have different objectives in starting or returning to karate.
Although you should be in reasonably good health to begin karate, the benefits of flexibility, increased physical fitness and a general sense of well-being come with regular training. We provide ample opportunity for people to train as much or as little as they like; for novices, training once a week is more than enough, but more training is expected of more senior members in order to progress.
In the Dojo, each class begins and ends with formal etiquette. Sensei and students bow to indicate their respect for each other before proceeding to the session’s content. Safety is of great importance and adequate warm-up, stretching and warm-down are built into each session; this is part of the instructor qualification assessment, which all of our instructors have undergone.
Different styles of karate place emphasis on different aspects of the art. Some regard karate primarily as a sport, and as such are more competition orientated, whilst others adhere to the traditional values and look on karate as a way of developing harmony of body, mind and soul. We aim to find a balance in our teaching, realising that different people will have different objectives in starting or returning to karate.
Although you should be in reasonably good health to begin karate, the benefits of flexibility, increased physical fitness and a general sense of well-being come with regular training. We provide ample opportunity for people to train as much or as little as they like; for novices, training once a week is more than enough, but more training is expected of more senior members in order to progress.
GRADING SYSTEM
Progression
is determined by success in passing grading examinations that are held
periodically. Minimum criteria, such as attendance, apply before students are
allowed to attempt their next grade; however, students must also have knowledge
and ability relative to their grade before they can be deemed ready to
continue. Finally, each individual must demonstrate adequate effort in each
training session as well as the final examination if they are to be successful.
Training must be regular before permission to grade is given by the instructor.
Training must be regular before permission to grade is given by the instructor.
Below
is the list of grades and its associated belt colour. In order to cater
for the physical development of junior students, their progress is
further divided into "bands" on each level. They must achieve three
bands on each level before progressing to the next level.
| Award | Belt Colour |
| Novice | white |
| 9th kyu | white with red bands (juniors only) |
| 8th kyu | white with black bands |
| 7th kyu | yellow (black bands for juniors) |
| 6th kyu | orange (black bands for juniors) |
| 5th kyu | green (black bands for juniors) |
| 4th kyu | purple (black bands for juniors) |
| 3rd kyu | brown (black bands for juniors) |
| 2nd kyu | brown (black bands for juniors) |
| 1st kyu | brown with white stripe |
| Shodan | black belt |