Welsh Bushi-Kai Karate Association

TOURNAMENT NEWS:
Congratulations to the WBK squad who competed, successfully, at last weekends Welsh Karate League Event.
Squad Coach  Nigel Taylor has reported back that he was once again impressed with the commitment, attitude & ‘squad spirit’ shown by everyone representing the WBK, from our Novices to our Experienced competitors.
In total, the WBK returned home with 6 Gold, 5 Silver and 4 Bronze medals ….. great effort!
Full details of our medallists at this tournament ( and earlier ones of 2014) can be viewed on the Results 2014 Web Page.

WBK SQUAD TRAINING:
Association Squad Training takes place this coming Sunday in Gilfach Goch Community Centre.
Kata 10.00am -11.00 am,  Kumite  11.15am – 12.15pm
All ages and grades are welcome – £5 for either single session, £8 for double session.
We look forward to seeing you all there, newcomers most welcome,  as we focus on building on the momentum of our recent successes at the WKL Events and the renewed enthusiasm created by our affiliation to Karate Wales

WKL Tournament Venue Change
IMPORTANT: Please note.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Welsh Karate League Competition on May 11th will now take place at Penarth Leisure Centre.
Full Address:
Andrew Road,
Cogan,
Penarth,
Glamorgan,
CF64 2NS

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Karate Wales Referee Course
Karate Wales will be holding a Referee course on Saturday 10th May at:
Andrew Road,
Cogan,
Penarth,
Glamorgan,
CF64 2NS

The course instructor is Gabe Operanta 10.00am – 1.00pm  … Course fee £12

Assessment will take place on Sunday 11th May at the Welsh Karate league tournament at the same venue.
A certificate will be issued and is at Association level. Anyone interested then please contact Gabe : gabeoperanta@aol.com

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Karate Wales now affiliated to IKU.

Important Message from Rob Copeland, Karate Wales Executive Officer

“I can announce that Karate Wales has now been accepted as a member by the International Karate Union.
With our dual affiliation to WUKF and IKU we have optimised International sporting opportunities.
 Visit the IKU website at www.internationalkarateunion.org
……of interest is the IKU European Championships for Cadets & Juniors in London from 31st Oct-2nd Nov.”

This latest development is testament to the effort being put in by the Karate Wales Governing Body to further the opportunities for its members and  gives the Welsh Bushi-Kai Squad an even greater incentive.

After several meetings of our Executive Committee and Club Instructors, the Welsh Bushi-Kai Karate Association would like to formally announce that we are now members of the Karate Wales Governing Body.
Since its inception some 18 months ago, Karate Wales has made great strides in the promotion of Welsh Karate and its athletes from grass roots to international level.

After years, if not decades, of stagnation, mis-trust and political infighting, which has led to the decline of Welsh Karate on the International stage, there is now a positive “Buzz” surrounding Welsh Karate, driven by the efforts of Karate Wales, an organisation which, like ourselves, puts the interests of its members and athletes first.
Karate Wales, headed by the likes of Stephen & Unel Wellington, Lee Costa, Gabe Operanta, Robert Copeland, Paul Watson etc now has in membership the majority of the strongest Karate Associations in Wales.

In addition, Karate Wales is fully affiliated to the World Union of Karate Federations (WUKF) and  believe that  affiliation with WUKF is the dawn of a bright, exciting new era for Karate in Wales. Membership of WUKF will provide multiple opportunities for many of our athletes to once again compete on the International stage, and for Karate Wales to renew International friendships with our friends around the World.

The Welsh Bushi-Kai look forward to working alongside our fellow members of Karate Wales and to helping promote and drive Welsh Karate forward, an ethos passed on to us by our founder, Shihan Ritchie Noblett.

Association Squad Training:

Sunday 18th May – Gilfach Goch Karate Club
Kata : 10am  –  11am
Kumite : 11.15am  –  12-15pm
£5 for one session
£8 for two

Sunday lunch is being served at the centre, if anyone wishes to stay
Please contact WBK Admin as places will need to be booked.

Well done to the students who successfully passed their Brown Belt Gradings last weekend. The Grading examiners have reported back that they were very impressed with the standard of Karate displayed throughout the day. We look forward now to seeing you all continue to develop your karate as you are now heading towards your Dan Grades.

Congratulations to the Welsh Bushi-Kai Squad for their great showing at the WKL Season Finale held in Penarth on the 23rd March.
In total our squad came away from the event with 8 gold, 2 Silver and 5 Bronze Medals.

GOLD
Kasey Williams: UNDER 8 BOYS
Iestyn Williams: UNDER 10 BOYS
James O’Leary: UNDER 12 BOYS
Morgan Phillips: UNDER 14 BOYS
Tom O’Leary: UNDER 16 BOYS
Jordan Harris: MENS -70 KG
Anthony Bridge: MENS +70 KG
Dai Roberts:  MENS VETERANS

SILVER
Megan Taylor: UNDER 14 GIRLS
Amy Nicholas: LADIES

BRONZE
Robyn Davies: UNDER 8 GIRLS
Holly Taylor: UNDER 10 GIRLS
Tom Hole: UNDER 12 BOYS
Keiron Nicholas: UNDER 14 BOYS
Jacob Davies UNDER 16 WADO KATA

On Sunday 23rd March, the Welsh Bushi-Kai entered a squad to compete at the Welsh Karate League event held at Cwrt Herbert, Neath. We are pleased to report that after an extended break from the competition circuit, the Bushi-Kai squad are back on form, coming away with no fewer than 6 Gold, 5 Slver and 7 Bronze. In addition, several of our athletes put in great performances only to miss out on the medals … such was the high standard at this tournament.

The Welsh Bushi-Kai would like to congratulate the WKL and Karate Wales on running such an efficient, well organised and successful event, which saw close to 400 athletes taking part. It was refreshing to get such positive feedback from our coaches and students after the tournament and to renew old, longstanding friendships and rivalries.

WBK Medallists:
Gold
Kasey Williams – Under 8 Boys
Iestyn Williams – Under 10 Boys
Megan Taylor – Under 14 Girls
Keiron Nicholas – Under 14 Boys
Amy Nicholas – Senior Ladies
Jordan Harris – Senior Men -70 KG

Silver
Cambden Williams – Under 10 Boys
Jacob Davies – Under 14 Boys
Olivia Andrews – Under 14 Girls
Nic Hole – Under 18 Boys
Josh Lewis – Senior Men +70 KG

 Bronze
Brooke Williams – Under 8 Girls
Dafydd Jones – Under 10 Boys
Jacob Davies – Under 16 Wado Kata
Cameron Lindley – Under 14 Boys
Tom Hole – Under 12 Boys
Rebecca Hole – Under 14 Girls
Tom O’Leary – Under 16 Boys

The Welsh Bushi-Kai Karate Association has withdrawn its Membership from the Welsh Karate Governing Body.(W.K.G.B).
Our resignation letter having been sent on the 10th January 2014.

Our reasons for leaving are varied , and many. Please contact your Club Instructor or WBK Admin if you have any queries.

We, as a very successful Association, now have a greater scope to develop and have more opportunities to attend Tournaments, Courses, Seminars etc.

2014 promises to be an exciting and busy year for the Welsh Bushi-Kai.

The Welsh Bushi-Kai would like to thank all of our students, friends and families for their continued support throughout the last year. We would like to thank also our many friends in the Karate fraternity for sticking by us for so many years.
We hope you ALL have a Safe, Peaceful Xmas & a Very Prosperous New Year.

2014 promises to be an exciting and busy year for the Welsh Bushi-Kai after a relatively quiet 2013…. we look forward to seeing you all next year.

Earlier today the Welsh Bushi-Kai held its’ final grading of the year. This time it was the turn of the Brown Belts to be put through their paces, and what an excellent effort they put in. All those who attempted 3rd, 2nd and 1st Kyu gave a great account of themselves and passed with flying colours. —- Well done everyone.