On Wednesday evening in a presentation at Oxford Community Sports Arena, Washinkai Instructor Ray Sweeney was awarded the Robin Pierce-Boby Cup for the Person Contributing Most to Sport in 2012/13.
The award was given in recognition of Ray’s highly successful Kickstart 100 project which aims to introduce 100 disabled athletes to karate by the end of 2013 and his work as Chairman of Special Olympics Oxfordshire.
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That Old Black Magic!
Last weekend saw the 20th Jávea Gasshuku or intensive training course by Sensei Chris Thompson 8th Dan.
The course was well attended and over 50 karate athletes underwent grading examinations for their new belts.
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Another fantastic demonstration from Washinkai Karate España at the Minijocs Olympics in Denia. Sensei Geovanny Sanchez led the team on to the field to demonstrate what can really be achieved by all age groups when you have the right attitude.
The Washinkai display was set along side a display from Denia Taekwondo team and also a group demonstrating Shaolin techniques. All three groups showed that they had something special to offer and the emphasis was on showing the benefits of karate for young people.
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There are plenty of reasons to take up karate.
Here is just a little of the research collated by Washinkai España President and Senior Instructor 4th Dan Ray Sweeney, showing that the benefits have been known about for some time.
Research is ongoing, but from our own experience, it does not take long to start feeling more confident, have a positive outlook and a sharper focus both in study and work.
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Senior instructor and Washinkai España club member Mike Lewis is offering additional training to karate students who wish to improve their Kumite and combat skills. The sessions are intended to help those who do not like to fight as well as the more experienced karate ka.
The sessions last for only half an hour and take place between the regular Tuesday and Thursday class at the Poly Deportivo in Jávea.
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On Wednesday evening in a presentation at Oxford Community Sports Arena, Washinkai Instructor Ray Sweeney was awarded the Robin Pierce-Boby Cup for the Person Contributing Most to Sport in 2012/13.
The award was given in recognition of Ray’s highly successful Kickstart 100 project which aims to introduce 100 disabled athletes to karate by the end of 2013 and his work as Chairman of Special Olympics Oxfordshire.
Ray started karate training twice per week with Sensei Steve Pellitt 4th Dan in early 1993 and also began Tai Chi Ch'uan at the same time. Ray soon began training three to four additional days per week with Sensei Neville Smith 6th Dan and Sensei Thompson 8th Dan.
Ray became an Instructor of Chen Style Tai Chi Ch'uan in 1995.
He graded to 2nd Dan with the BTKA in July 2001 and left for Spain shortly afterwards, where he formed Club Deportivo Washinkai beginning with just 8 students, six of whom went on to take their Black Belts.
Kihon is the basic techniques of karate, kicking, punching and blocking. These fundamentals of karate must be grasped before a student can advance in karate.
Many good karate-ka (student) quit at an early stage due to the repetitiveness of kihon, however, if you take onboard the attitude of the Japanese that a house can only be built on a solid foundation then kihon is extremely important.
Here is something that we call all do to help under privileged children have a better Christmas. The idea comes from Sean McConnachie (age 8) who is also one of our first Junior Black Belts and was his answer to this question:
“What would you do with a million Euros? “
The children in the 4th year of the Lady Elizabeth School in Cumbre del Sol were asked this question after reading the story Master Millionair.
Washinkai has had an established Child Protection Team for many years. Born out of the belief that prevention is better than cure, Washinkai have implemented procedures to ensure that every child who trains within Washinkai is ensured a safe environment where they can enjoy and learn Karate.
Led by Head Child Protection Officer (CPO) Annette Turpin, the team consisting of Neville Smith and Luci Harris are always available to answer concerns and check that Instructors have the appropriate qualifications and clearances.
It was in late 1977 that Chris Thompson came to the conclusion that due to be being disillusioned and dissatisfied with the Wado-Ryu organisation in the UK that it would be best if he severed all connections with them.
This meant that Chris Thompson was one of the first breakaways and one of the first Englishmen to formulate his own style, training and grading syllabus.
