CK@: Karate 1 Premier League, Salzburg 2013

Nov 302013
 

The Karate1 Premier League Grand Final in Salzburg was the last major event of the year for our referees. It was the culmination of World Karate Federation’s K1 series for 2013 alongside the Karate1 Youth World Cup. This attracted over 860 elite competitors from 49 nations to Austria’s fourth largest city and kept our referees busy for the entire event.

Dates for the 2014 Karate1 series have already been announced by the WKF and will be broadcast live via the Sportdata YouTube Channel.

 

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WHKK Course & Senior Grading

Nov 092013
 

Hanshi Spanton’s last visit to West Wales in 2013 was a big one – the WHKK Course returned to Narberth dojo and Carmarthenshire’s Alice Bennett was up for her 1st kyu examination…

The course started at Afan Valley dojo in Cymmer. Ten of our senior students from Carmarthenshire made the journey up the valley to kick start the weekend. Kata bunkai was the main topic on the cards, which was tough and very rewarding; more understanding = more satisfaction.

On Friday night, it was great to be back in Narberth, with the atmosphere buzzing in anticipation of Sensei Peter and Sensei Barbara’s arrival. Seventeen from Carmarthenshire this time, even though many of our seniors unable to attend – get well soon to Eirian and Nia, and safe journey home to Dan, Aled and Keith.

Alice was containing her nerves and excitement (just about); a grading weekend is as much about mental strength as it is physical, with the hard work starting months in advance.

Friday’s intense training carried through to Saturday’s full dojo. After our first tea break and a quick catch up with our friends it was back to the dojo and back to work. Before everyone knew it, it was time for grading. Like everyone on the course, Alice had worked hard for the whole weekend and had not let her concentration lapse at all. She then got up in front of Sensei and pulled out all the stops. It was a tough grading with no let up. Kata after kata she dug deep and performed so well. When she passed, there were tears all round – well done Alice, we’re all very proud of you.

WHKK Course & Senior Grading Nov2013

We’re pleased to announce that 2014 will bring Hanshi Spanton back to West Wales in February, April, June, September and November – keep an eye out for these dates on our calendar.

Live Longer Wales Weekend

Oct 182013
 

Sport Wales has teamed up with BBC Wales to promote the Live Longer Wales season this month and Carmarthenshire Karate is delighted to be taking part in the Live Longer Weekend coming up on the 25-27th October.

LLW_belly poster A3 sport_2.indd
LLW_belly poster A3 sport_2.indd

Our events taking place on the Live Longer Weekend are:

  • WHKK Championships in St.Clears, Saturday 26th October – spectators are welcome to come and see competition karate in action
  • Taster Session in Carmarthen, Sunday 27th October – where everyone will get the chance to try competition karate for themselves, regardless of experience (minimum 6 years of age). Our experienced squad members (of all ages) will be there to share their knowledge along with our skilled coaches and officials.

If you are interested in joining us for one or both of these events and would like more information, please feel free to contact us.

Hanshi Spanton Course, Sep’13

Sep 282013
 

Hanshi Peter Spanton (8th Dan) was back in Carmarthenshire this month to deliver a special course for our senior members.

The packed day of sessions focused mainly on kata and practical kata application, which was extremely well received by the black and brown belts. By the last session of the day, they were joined by some of our budding youngsters who were also eager to experience Hanshi Spanton’s instruction.

We’re delighted to announce that there will be even more opportunities to train with Hanshi Spanton in 2014, firstly with the WHKK West Wales Courses at the end of February and June. He we will also be back in Carmarthen for another “Visiting Instructor Course” in May. There will be a further two dates to announce later in the year. Check the calendar for these course details.

Hanshi Spanton Course Sep'13

Hanshi Spanton Course Sep'13

CK@: British International Open 2013

Sep 072013
 

Carmarthenshire Karate was well represented at the British International Open Championships in Glasgow’s Emirates Arena – one the venue for next years’ Commonwealth Games – with all three being appointed as Tatami Managers or Assistant Tatami Managers for this, the pinnacle of karate competition in the United Kingdom. The event is also now among one of the largest in Europe and attracted a rich field of international competitors once again, including Australia, Denmark, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Venezuela and Wales.

There is one further international event coming up for our referees this year, which is the Karate1 Premier League – Salzburg, in Austria and the end of November.

British International Open 2013

Family Beach Picnic 2013

Aug 252013
 

Our annual family beach picnics are always a bit of fun and this year, we even had some nice weather too. The fierce rivalry between big kids and little kids was reignited with the infamous rounders match (with official rounders posts/bases for the first time); big kids regaining the crown that they lost last year.

An impromptu volleyball game was then struck up by Dafydd and Keiran and before we knew it, the whole group was involved in a mass, volleyball keepy uppy. That was the aim at least; a few over enthusiastic volleyballers were still aiming for spikes and aces to win the point!

Thanks to everyone that came along and made it such an enjoyable afternoon and friendly atmosphere. Same time, same place next year…

 

Family Beach Picnic - volleyball

WHKK Course & Senior Grading

Jun 152013
 

It’s back! The (slightly delayed) first WHKK Course & Senior Grading of the year, with Hanshi Peter Spanton (8th Dan), took place in Cymmer for the first time due to ongoing refurbishment work at Narberth dojo. The Carmarthenshire group was there in force to pick up where we’d left off from Hanshi Spanton’s visit to Carmarthen dojo earlier in the year.

The Carmarthenshire group at the WHKK course

There was also the significant matter of supporting our five-strong group of senior grading candidates: father and son, Keith and Keiran Jones attempting their first brown belt (3rd kyu) examination, and brother and sister, Raghav and Shriya Aerasala along with Liam Jakeman all attempting their 2nd kyu. We’re delighted to report that all five were successful in achieving their respective grades – well done to you all!

Successful senior grading candidates

Hanshi Spanton will be back in Carmarthenshire for the next “visiting instructor course” on the 14th September, which is definitely not to be missed.

 

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European Kata Judge qualification for Mair

Jun 092013
 

Excellent news from Heceg Novi, Montenegro where Carmarthenshire Karate’s chief instructor, Mair Phillips has become Wales’ first ever European qualified Kata Judge after successfully completing her theory and practical examinations at the European Championships for Regions. Not only is she now Wales’ first and only kata official, she is the first woman in the whole of the United Kingdom to hold the licence.

Mair started adding judging and refereeing to her long list of karate skills in 2002 and has risen through the ranks of Welsh National levels, British levels and now European level, which means that she can officiate all over Europe at the three continental championships that take place every year and also the new series of Karate1 Premier League events run by the World Karate Federation.

In addition to Mair’s existing European Kumite Judge qualification, this new badge will bring back invaluable knowledge and experience for all of Carmarthenshire Karate’s members, but especially the group’s growing squad who regularly compete at events up and down the country.

Mair Phillips, European Kata Judge

CK@: British Four Nations Championships 2013

Jun 022013
 

It was another trip to Scotland for two of Carmarthenshire’s referees, as they officiated at the British Four Nations Championships at the brand new, Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

Mair and Dan joined officials from across the British Isles and Ireland in one of the venues to be used at next year’s Commonwealth Games, which hosted a karate event for the first time, in a packed sport’s hall.

 

British Four Nations Championships 2013

Spring bank holiday break

May 192013
 

With leisure centres and halls closed over the Spring bank holiday weekend (26-28th May), the following classes are cancelled:

Everything will be back to normal after that, from Wednesday 29th May onwards; so make the most of this week’s training sessions, which are all running as normal (up to Thursday 23rd May) and feel free to head to Carmarthen or Cefneithin next week to avoid missing out on a session.

Good luck to our squad who are competing at the WBK Championships in Bridgend on Sunday.

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