We have recently been informed, and are pleased to announce that Mark (Blue) Watkins has been appointed as Coach to the W.A.K.O Wales Squad and as Assistant Coach to the W.A.K.O Great Britain Squad.
This is an outstanding accolade for Mark, worthy recognition of his coaching abilities.
Dan Grade News:
After months of arduous preparation training, culminating in a very intense 5 day course, the WBK would like to congratulate the following students on passing their Dan Grade Examination.
1ST DAN: Joanne John, Chris Davies, Stuart Williams.
2nd DAN: Kieron Hooper and Tom O’Leary
The WBK Dan Grade Panel would like to congratulate Mark Coleman on his promotion to the rank of 4th Dan. Mark is our Assoc Kata Coach as well as Co- Instructor of our Neath and Pontyberem Clubs, which he runs with his wife Natasha, also 4th Dan
Recently, the WBK squad have competed in the latest WKL2014 series, Event V held in Penarth on Sept 29th, and Event VI which was held on Oct 26th in Bridgend.
Once again our squad put in some great performances at these events, winning 3 Gold, 9 Silver and 5 Bronze at Event V, and 6 Gold, 5 Silver and 5 Bronze at Event VI.
Well done to all the competitors, coaches and officials involved.
Full details of our medal winners will be added to the Results page a.s.a.p
Dates, times and venues for the week long Dan grade course:
MONDAY 3rd November
Baglan karate club. 7.30pm – 9.00pm
TUESDAY 4th November
Gilfach goch karate club 7.00pm – 8.30pm
WEDNESDAY 5th November
Neath karate club. 5.30pm – 6.30pm
THURSDAY 6th November
Cwmavon karate club. 7.30pm – 8.30pm
FRIDAY 7th November
Baglan karate club. 7.00pm – 8.30pm
The Dan grading will take place on Saturday 8th November in Baglan Community centre
at 10.00am. doors open 9.30am
Tournament Info:
British Int.Open Championships, London Sept 13th.
S.E.N.I Championships. London Sept 14th
WUKF 5th World Championships for Children/Juniors/Cadets .. 15-19th Oct, Poland
5th WUKF European Champions Cup, 20-21st Sept, Romania.
Would any WBK member interested in attending any of theses events or requiring further info, Please contact Nigel Taylor a.s.a.p
Brown belt courses have been finalised and will take place on Friday 5th Sept and on Friday 12th Sept at the Baglan Club, 7.00pm – 8.30pm ….normal dojo fees apply
Students taking their Brown belt grade examination on Sept 20th should attend both courses.
In the past couple of weeks, two stalwarts of British Karate have been promoted to the rank of 8th Dan.
Sensei Alan Flook, Chief Instructor of the Western Karate Union based in Bristol and Sensei Gabe Operanta, Chief Instructor of the WSKA, and Karate Wales Officer, have both been deservedly promoted to 8th Dan after decades of service and dedication to the art of Karate.
The Welsh Bushi-Kai would like to congratulate Alan and Gabe on their promotion, and would like to thank them for their contribution to Karate over so many years.
WKL IV Tournament, Wrexham, 13th July.
Last weekend, saw the Welsh Bushi-Kai send a squad of competitors to Wrexham, North Wales, to compete in Round IV of the WKL2014 series. The competition was very well supported, with some 350 competitors in action.
We are pleased to report that our students continued their recent run of excellent results, winning 5 Gold, 6 Silver and 3 Bronze medals …. well done.
Full details of our medal winners can be viewed on the Results Page.
WBK KYU GRADINGS:
Well done to all of our students who participated in the Course and Kyu Gradings held recently at Cwrt Herbert in Neath.
Once again, the standard of Karate on display was of the high standard that we set in the WBK, and we would like to congratulate everyone who passed their grade examination.
In addition, the senior grade course was well supported, and those who are grading for Brown belts in September will have benefited from the experience.
As always, we would like to express our thanks to the Grade Examiners and their Dan Grade assistants for their hard work on the day.
Last month saw Karate Wales send a squad of 40 competitors to the WUKF European Karate Championships, held in Verona, Italy.
The Welsh Bushi-Kai were proud to have the following members of our Squad as members of the KarateWales Team:
Iestyn Williams, James O’Leary, Megan Taylor, Morgan Phillips, Tom O’Leary, Keiran Hooper, Jordan Harris, Jordan Hopkins and Dai Roberts.
The Karate Wales team performed admirably at this top international event, winning 4 Gold, 4 Silver and 8 Bronze medals – finishing 8th in the overall medal table.
For a more detailed report on this event, please click on the following link, [Click HERE], or visit the Karate Wales Website……
Our thanks and congratulations to everyone involved in Karate Wales.
The Welsh Bushi-Kai members of Team Karate Wales:
The Welsh Bushi-Kai squad were in action again last weekend, this time at the WKL III Tournament held in Cwrt Herbert, Neath.
This excellent series of events is proving to be a great success, providing our competitors with invaluable mat-time and experience.
Once again, our squad demonstrated its’ quality throughout the category range from the Under 8’s to the Senior Veterans.
The WBK Squad came away with 7 Gold, 4 Silver and 6 Bronze Medals ….. Well done everyone
Details of Medallists can be viewed on the Results page.