Welsh Bushi-Kai Karate Association

Karate Wales Open Championships, Merthyr Tydfil :

Sunday 21st June saw the WBK Squad compete at the Inaugural Karate Wales Open Championships.
This much anticipated event, the biggest tournament held in Wales for decades, proved to be a huge success with top quality squads from England, Ireland and Wales in attendance.

We would like to congratulate all those who were involved in this event, another positive step forward for Welsh Karate.

Our squad performed admirably and our medal winners are listed below:

GOLD
Mackenzie Aitchison

SILVER
Iestyn Williams
Jordan Hopkins
Anthony Bridge
Megan Taylor
Boys Team 15-17
BoysTeam 11-12

BRONZE
Zack Stephens
Hudson Williams
Morgan Phillips
Morgan Evans
Robyn Davies
Mens Team (KW Select)

DAN GRADING, MAY 16th, Baglan Community Centre.

Prior to the start of the Grading examination, a presentation was made on behalf of the association by Liz Noblett and our Chief Instructor, Percy Brown, presenting  Nigel Taylor, Owen Cranfield and Paul Bridge with their 6th Dan – Rokudan Award Certificates. This award was made to these Instructors for the dedication to karate and the Welsh Bushi-Kai for the past 35 yrs, and certificates were endorsed by Karate Wales President, Robert Copeland 6th Dan.

Our Grading Panel

The Dan Grade panel therefore consisted of:
Percy Brown, Nigel Taylor, Owen Cranfield, Paul Bridge – 6th Dans, and Mark and Natacha Coleman – 4th Dans

After months of very hard training, including an assessment and an intensive week long training course, the Welsh Bushi-Kai are pleased to report that the following Students successfully passed their Dan Grade examinations this past weekend.

Junior First Dan:
Lottie Davies , Abigail Austin-Eames and Amy Wellington. Well done girls.

Our New Junior 1st Dans

3rd Dan:
David Roberts …. the first candidate to successfully pass 3rd Dan to the new syllabus and format. Great display of technique and Bunkai.

Dave Roberts 3rd Dan

DAN GRADE COURSE INFORMATION:

MONDAY 11th May
Baglan Karate Club 7.30pm – 9.00pm

TUESDAY 12th May
Gilfach Karate Club 7.00pm – 8.30pm

WEDNESDAY 13th May
Neath Karate Club (Ysgol Hendre) 6.30pm – 8.00pm

THURSDAY 14th May
Cwmavon Karate Club 7.30pm – 8.30pm

FRIDAY 15th May
Baglan Karate Club 7.00pm – 8.30pm

The Dan Grading will take place in Baglan Community Centre Saturday 16th May
10.00am start.
Doors open 9.30am

Yesterday, the Welsh Bushi-Kai attended the Ulster Karate Federation Invitation Open Championships.  We are pleased to report that our squad competed very well against some top opposition and return home having won 6 Gold, 1 Silver and 4 Bronze medals, a fantastic effort which included our Senior Male Team winning the ” Ritchie Noblett  Shield “….. Congratulations to all involved in our squad.

We would like to thank our old friends at the UKF for their welcome. It was a genuine pleasure to meet up again on the tournament scene after several years. It was also great to meet up with Pat Rocket and his squad who traveled up from Waterford.

Congratulations to our hosts, The UKF, the Welsh Bushi-Kai Squad and coaches and to our team of Supporters who flew out with the squad.

Gold
Anthony Bridge
Mackenzie Aitchison
Iestyn Williams
Megan Taylor
Morgan Phillips
Senior Mens Team

Silver
Jordan Phillips

Bronze
Holly Taylor
Megan Roberts
Nic Hole
U18 Boys Team

The Welsh Karate League season 2014/15 was brought to a close last Sunday in Penarth and after the WBK’s first full season involved we can look back and be proud of our efforts, with the Welsh Bushi Kai squad  winning,  46 gold medals, 47 silver and 51 bronze.

An outstanding achievement, with well subscribed categories and a very high competitor standard throughout. Our coaches are pleased with the commitment attitude and skill level of all our athletes.

A big congratulations must also go to our competitors in the top 3 of their categories over the course of a season.

U8’S BOYS KUMITE  – MACKENSIE AITCHINSON …CHAMPION

U10’S BOYS KUMITE – KASEY WILLIAMS … 2^ND PLACE

U12’S BOYS KUMITE – JAMES O’LEARY CHAMPION / IESTYN WILLIAMS …2^ND PLACE

U14’S BOYS KUMITE – ELLIS SOUTHALL… 2^ND PLACE

U14’S GIRLS KUMITE -MEGAN TAYLOR… 3^RD PLACE

U16’S BOYS KUMITE – MORGAN PHILLIPS… 2^ND PLACE

U16’S GIRLS KUMITE – BECKY HOLE… 3^RD PLACE

U18’S BOYS KUMITE – KEIRAN HOOPER …2^ND PLACE

SENIOR MEN-70KG – JORDAN HOPKINS… 3^RD PLACE

SENIOR MEN +70KG – ANTHONY BRIDGE …CHAMPION

SENIOR MEN VETERANS – DAVID ROBERTS… CHAMPION

U10 TEAM –  CWMAFAN… 2^ND PLACE (DAFYDD /ROBYN /KASEY)

U12 TEAM –  CWMAFAN … CHAMPIONS (JAMES/HOLLY/MEGAN/IESTYN)

U14 TEAM –  CWMAFAN… 2^ND PLACE (ELLIS /MEGAN /CALAN/ TOM).

Well done to everyone involved.

The next Brown Belt Grading takes place on Saturday 21st March in the Cwmafan Community Centre.
Grading will commence at 10am …. doors open at 9.30am.

Two Brown Belt courses have been arranged and will be held on Friday 6th March & Friday 13th March at the Baglan Community Centre. 7.00pm – 8.30pm.  Course is also open to all Black / Brown belts who are hoping to take gradings later in the year.

The first Association Kyu Grading of the year takes place on Sunday March 8th at the Cwrt Herbert Sports Centre, Neath.
Course and Grading will be from 9.00am to 11.30am

Listed below are the dates for the 2015 WBK Gradings. This information is also available on the Dates page.

DAN GRADE ASSESSMENTS:
Details to be added closer to the Dan Grading.

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KYU GRADE COURSE AND GRADING:
Sunday 8th March
Sunday 5th July
Sunday 1st November
Venue: Cwrt Herbert Sport Centre, Neath
Course and Grading ….. 9.00 am – 11.30 am

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DAN GRADING:
Saturday 16th May
Saturday 14th November
Venue: Baglan Community Centre.
Doors open 9.30am, Grading starts at 10 am

Details of Pre-Grade & Assessment Courses will be added when confirmed.
The Dan Grade course will take place as normal.

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BROWN BELT GRADING:
Saturday 21st March
Saturday 19th September
Venue – Cwmafan Community Centre
Doors open at 9.30 am, Course and Grading starts at 10 am.
Dates for the Brown Belt preparation courses will be announced when confirmed.
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Announcement: Craig Tucker R.I.P

Sadly, and very suddenly, on Monday 1st December, Craig Tucker (7th Kyu) of the Afan Lido Karate Club (Baglan Dojo) passed away.
Craig was a much liked and valued member of the club and will be greatly missed by all of the students and Instructors who trained alongside him.

The Welsh Bushi-Kai would like to offer our sincere condolences to Craigs’  family and many friends at this time. Our thoughts are with you.

Rest Easy Craig.

To all members of the Welsh Bushi-Kai:

We are going to be meeting for a Xmas drink on Saturday December 20th at 7pm in the VILLAGE HOTEL (Victory Bar), SA1 Swansea.

They serve bar meals / snacks until 9.30pm. For hotel info check their website at www.village-hotels.co.uk

It would be great to see everyone there. Please contact Sharon James at the Baglan Club, or the WBK Facebook page for further info.