All HSKC members are very shocked and saddened by the sudden death of this great stalwart of the KUGB especially sensei Mike who has known him personally for over 51 years. RIP Sensei
Sensei Bob Poynton 8th Dan
Sensei Andy Sherry 9th Dan – Training & Kyu Grading
Sensei Andy Sherry 9th Dan and Chief Instructor to the KUGB will be visiting Handbridge dojo on Thursday 19 March 2020.
There will be one training session for all grades commencing 6pm sharp until approx. 7:15pm. The Kyu grading will follow directly after the training session. The cost to grade is £10 which goes directly to Sensei Sherry. Training costs will be normal prices.
Please ensure you arrive at least 20mins before training starts and have your licences and record book ready so you can be booked in.
Any KUGB members from other clubs are very welcome to attend.
Sensei Andy Sherry 9th Dan – Training Session
Sensei Andy Sherry 9th Dan and Chief Instructor to the KUGB will be at the club on Monday 24 February 2020 for what promises to be a fantastic evening of karate.
These sessions are open to all members and visitors.
6pm-7pm Beginners | Juniors | Intermediates
7pm – 8:30pm Intermediates | Seniors
Please make every effort to attend. You will not be disappointed. If you have not trained with Sensei Sherry before, this is a fantastic opportunity to train with your Chief Instructor and Grading Examiner.
Training resumes Mon 6th January 2020
The first training session of 2020 will be Monday 6th January 6pm – 7pm for beginners/intermediates and 7pm – 8:30pm for intermediates/advanced students. Look forward to seeing you all in the New Year. Have a very merry Christmas.
Adult Beginners Taster Session – Free
Handbridge Shotokan Karate Club is offering a free taster session for adults interested in taking up karate. The chief instructor is Sensei Mike O’Connor 7th Dan. He is one of only four 7th Dans in the KUGB and has been training for over 50 years. Mike is assisted by Sensei Dave Roberts 3rd Dan.
If you are interested, please contact Sensei Mike O’Connor on 01244 319303 or Sensei Dave Roberts on 07841 710989. Alternatively, you can just turn up on the night. Classes are 6pm-7pm every Monday and Thursday. Loose clothing such as jogging pants and tee shirts should be worn.
TRICK OR TREAT – Training and Grading on All Hallows Eve at HSKC
Report by Sensei Mike O’Connor 7th Dan HSKC’s Chief Club Instructor
Trick OR TREAT : Yes it was possibly not the best night for a grading but it suited the majority of members and we were able to secure Hanshi Andy Sherry 9th Dan to both teach and to grade the members.
Again on the trick or treat theme we were all only going to train for one and a quarter hours which may have tricked some of the Black Belts into thinking it would be an easier session than our normal longer class time, but Hanshi Sherry had tricks galore in running virtually two seperate classes at the same time. The basics were ramped up through the grades but given an extra boost for the Black Belts, we could have done without the central
heating being on, which even with the windows open made this one HOT night.
Adding to the heat were our visitors, we were pleased to have Chris Luecke 4th Dan over from the famous Liverpool Red Triangle and Otto Blank 4th Dan Chief Club Instructor of Ataru Shotokan Karate. Their presence helped lift the senior section to train even harder especially in the Kumite section of the class.
.
Towards the second part of the session after Kihon was done to screaming Kiai It was then Kumite and Kata for everyone. Whilst the Kyu grades started with standard Gohon (Five step sparring) the seniors performing Five Step with a difference Tori (Attacker) sambon attacks to Uki (defender) triple blocks and triple counters on every step.
As the Kyu grades moved on to one attack Fixed ippon Kumite the seniors did their Five Step Sanbon attacks now in a ju Kumite (free style) manner. “Just one more time,with spirit” seamed to be said very often by Hanshi Sherry but it did the trick as it had everyone steamed up with karate spirit. Is this how Kyoshi Frank Brennan got this phrase??
The Kata for the seniors was Tekki Sandan with arduous attention to detail. The Kyu grades did their grading Kata again with Hanshi polishing their skills resulting in a 100% FULL PASS for every one of our members taking their grading.
Some members had to think of families on this All Hallows night of fun but I think those who came to the dojo got the real treats of the night. Great training and Wonderful grading result, even Hanshi Sherry was very cheerful at the result.
PS. 1. Some junior members are not present in the group photo as that has been their parents wishes to not be on the internet.
2. Hanshi Sherry reports that Kyoshi Frank Brennan is recovering from his hip operation and walking unaided which is fantastic news. We all look forward to training with Kyoshi Frank on the 30th november at Egham.
Grading Results – 31 October 2019
Congratulations to the following students who successfully graded under Sensei Sherry on 31 October 2019. Everyone put in a very strong and spirited performance and all Handbridge students gained a full pass:-
9th Kyu – Orange Belt
Stefanie Mitze-Unlüer
Jason Chen
Kimberley Chen
6th Kyu – Green Belt
Jake Nieri
5th Kyu – Purple Belt
Sarah Reynolds
Lydia Stent
A big thank you to our guests from Ataru and Red Triangle for attending and congratulations to Wayne Williams from Ataru on grading to 2nd Kyu, temporary.
This was another excellent session from Sensei Sherry working on detail, speed and kime. Make sure you all take note of Sensei’s comments and take these into your next sessions.
New katas to learn now so a lot of concentration will be necessary!!
Sensei Andy Sherry 9th Dan – Training and Kyu Grading session
All,
Please do your utmost to attend the grading session on Thu 31 Oct even if you are not grading. There will be one training session for all starting at 6pm sharp and finishing around 7:15pm.
The grading will follow from 7:15 onwards.
Prices will be usual club prices i.e. £4 juniors, students and unemployed, £5 seniors. Usual family discounts will apply.
Members from other KUGB clubs are encouraged to attend.
Let’s make this a session to remember.
Sensei Andy Sherry 9th Dan – Training and Kyu grading
Sensei Andy Sherry 9th Dan and Chief Instructor to the KUGB will be visiting Handbridge dojo on Thursday 31 Oct 2019.
There will be one training session for all grades commencing 6pm sharp until approx. 7:15pm. The Kyu grading will follow directly after the training session. The cost to grade is £10 which goes directly to Sensei Sherry. Training costs will be normal prices.
Please ensure you arrive at least 20mins before training starts and have your licences and record book ready so you can be booked in.
Any KUGB members from other clubs are very welcome to attend.
Some benefits of Karate
Not only is Karate a great activity that keeps students physically active, but it also instills a sense of achievement as you work your way up through the coloured belts and on to black belt. Even if you have no previous experience in Karate, it is a great physical activity for children and adults from age 5 upwards. Our Chief Instructor, Sensei Andy Sherry 9thDan, has been training for over 60 years and, at 76 years old in 2019, is still as passionate and able as he was many years ago.
- Total body workout: Karate is a high-aerobic workout that uses every muscle group in the body. Stamina, muscle tone, flexibility, balance and strength will all improve through Karate.
- Healthy lifestyle: Due to the total-body nature of a Karate workout, hundreds of calories are burned during every session.
- Self-confidence: The greatest benefit usually reported by Karate students is greater self-confidence, especially in youngsters and those on the spectrum. Students become more comfortable in all situations.
- Improved cardiovascular health: The only real way to improve the status of the cardiovascular system is by participating in activities that stress the heart, such as Karate.
- Weight loss: A one hour session of moderate intensity Karate can burn up to many hundreds of calories.
- Improved reflexes: By participating in Karate, you not only improve your reflexes while performing the activity, but actually experience faster reaction times during all activities of your life. This is very important in a number of daily activities, such as driving.
- Teaches great morals and values: Karate wisdom has it that after consistent practice, one becomes less impulsive and aggressive towards others.
- Muscle tone: Regular Karate practice can greatly improve the amount of muscle mass you have in your body. The higher your muscle mass, the higher your metabolic demands will be, and subsequently the more calories you will burn each day, thereby helping prevent obesity and promote weight loss. High levels of muscle mass also lead to increased agility, thereby preventing falls as you age.
- Better mood: Researchers have found that participating in a regular exercise routine is one of the best ways to improve your mood. Performing Karate is not only a good way to relieve stress and frustration, but may actually help to make you happier. The endorphins released by physical activity appear to be active in your body for as many as four hours after exercise.