2011 was a good year for Club Deportivo Washinkai Karate of Javea.
The club grew to more than 175 licenced members and the instructors, Ray Sweeney 4th Dan, Sarah Lakin 2nd Dan y Geovanny Sanchez 2nd Dan were presented with a certifícate from the Valencian Karate Federation, in a ceremony at La Peitxina, Valencia, recognising Washinkai as the largest karate club in the provinces of Alicante, Murcia and Castellon.
New Clubs
Washinkai expanded their training times and dojos offering new clases in Rainbow Nursery in Javea. Sarah Lakin continued to offer morning clases especially for women, which work on improving fitness, raising self-esteem whilst also creating a social network. These classes have become more and more popular throughout the year.
New Black Belts
2011 saw the first students from the Junior Programme, Dylan Broadhead, Charlie Macwhinnie and Kyle Cochrane obtain their Shodan Kohai (Junior Black Belt). Lawrence Halls and Mike Hopkinson obtained their 1st Dan Black Belts bringing the number of black belts in Washinkai to 24. Ray Sweeney received his certifícate as National Trainer of Karate Level III and was also certificated as a Master of Karate with the Spanish Federation. All of the Washinkai teachers are fully qualified, registered and licenced with the Valencian Karate Federation.
10th Anniversary and Gasshuku
In november Club Deportivo Washinkai Karate celebrated their 10th anniversary with a gasshuku or intensive training course of 4 days. Several high ranking UK black belts atended the course which was taught by Ray Sweeney. Special guest instructors were Francisco Gonzalez Saiz, el Vice-president of the Krate Federation and JJ Torrecillas, European Taijitsu champion and Spanish Judo champion. The event culminated in a gala dinner in Castelló restaurant in Javea. Special guests at the dinner were José Chulvi, Mayor of Javea, Juan Luis Cardona, Javea Sports Councillor, JJ Torrecillas, Andrés Alarcón Carrasco, el directos técnico del club de San Juan de Karate Shotokan y Francisco Gonzalez Saiz, John Crosby ex director of Xabia International College and Mayka Contreras secretary of Javea Ayuntamiento.
José Chulvi, in the name of Washinkai karate, presented Ray Sweeney with an 18ct Gold ring inscribed with “Washinkai Karate 10º Aniversario” in Japanese and Spanish.
Medal Winners
The reputación of the club was enhanced by winning more than 36 medals and trophies in various competicions including winning 16 gold medals in the British Traditional Karate National Championships. This was recognised in the Javea Gala of Sports 2011 when Jose Chulvi, Mayor of Javea, presented the club with a plaque for being the Most Outstanding Sportys Team of the Year 2011. Washinkai was invited to carry out a karate demonstration for the audience during the Gala.
New belts for children
In december many students passed their belt exams with great success. More than 100 youngsters between 4 and 8 years old, took their gradings under the Junior Programme. This unique method was created especially to teach important principles such as respect, and self-discipline as well as to increase self-esteem and concentration. The Junior Programme is exclusive to Washinkai and is fun for the kids as well as being greatly appreciated by the parents.
More than 70 seniors also achieved their new belts ranging from Orange to Brown with many parents training side by side with their children.
To end a year full of successes more than 50 club members celebrated with a Christmas Dinner organised by Hamid Moujtahid of La Masena Restaurant.
Washinkai Karate is the Municipal karate School of Javea and Benitachell with clases in Javea, Benitachell and Lliber. The new season begins on the 9th January.
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