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News Outside The Dojo Special Club Sessions & Kyu Gradings

7th Karate Summer Camp, August 2018

Shiranamikai’s summer camps are a week of learning and development sessions that aim to help students of all levels improve techniques while exploring advanced katas and applications, in a relaxed dojo environment.

This summer we studied Heian Shodan, Empi, Heian Yondan, Gojushiho Sho and Sochin. Those who attended the whole week received a certificate and on the last day we enjoyed our traditional club lunch together!

Put the dates in your diary for next year: 29th July – 2nd August

By the way, that was maneki neko, lucky cat soft drink. Have you tried it? 👊🏻😺🥋

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JKA Competitions News

JKA England 2018 National Championship

Shiranamikai members had a very rewarding day at the JKA England, 15th Anniversary, 2018 National Championship.

With somewhere in the region of 350 competitors across individual and team kata and kumite events, there was a lot to get through in a single day. Fortunately our association has a very experienced events team and officials who managed the day very professionally enabling us to wrap-up completely by 7pm.

This year was titled the 15th Anniversary Championship because JKA England was formed as an association in 2003 with ties to the JKA World Federation dating back further to 1965. The Japan Karate Association itself celebrates its 70th anniversary having been established in November 1948. 2018 is also the 150th anniversary of the birth of Funakoshi Gichin, born 10th November 1868! Master Funakoshi founded Shotokan and was the first Chief Instructor of the JKA.

Counsellor Hiroshi Itakura, First Minister of Education and Sport at the Embassy of Japan in the UK, was guest of honour and presented medals alongside Ohta Yoshinobu, Chief Instructor of JKA England.

As always, the conduct of our students was exemplary and I’m very proud of everyone who entered. More than just competing for oneself, these events offer an opportunity to build relationships with students from clubs across the country and to see, experience and be inspired by karate.

Shiranamikai Results as follows…

Thomas: 4th Kata & Bronze kumite
Ryoma: Gold Kata & Gold Kumite
Shohei: Gold Kata & Gold Kumite
Lennon: Bronze Kata & Bronze Kumite
Toshimitsu: Gold Kata & Silver kumite
Chantelle: 4th Kata & Bronze Kumite
Sevim: Bronze Kata & Bronze Kumite
Uma: 4th Kata
Stephanie: Gold Kata & Bronze Kumite
Shion: Gold Kata & Gold Kumite
Kentaro: Bronze Kata & Silver Kumite
Austin: Silver Kata
Itsuko: Silver Kata
Shiranami XL (Alex, Ollie, Austin): Bronze Team Kata
Shiranami M (Shohei, Lennon, Ryoma): Gold Team Kata

This is a great achievement. Well done everyone for working so hard during training!

🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇x3

🥈🥈🥈🥈

🥉🥉🥉🥉🥉🥉🥉🥉🥉x3

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News Special Club Sessions & Kyu Gradings

Club Training & Grading, June 2018

We enjoyed a smashing session with Ohta Sensei this June. He was on great form and with technical feedback and kumite sequences which, although simple in that they followed the basic syllabus, were demanding in the mere fact that a very senior instructor was watching, greatly increasing the demands one places upon themselves!

Well done everybody for training hard in the warm dojo and to everybody who graded. You get a nice new belt and certificate for your efforts.

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JKA Courses News Outside The Dojo

JKA England Spring 2018 Gasshuku

Special guest instructors Imura Takenori 8th Dan, Kobayashi Kunio 7th Dan and Shiina Mai 4th Dan from the Tokyo Sohonbu, Sawada Kazuhiro 7th Dan from Belgium and Ohta Yoshinobu 7th Dan from JKA England lead the brilliant, spring May Bank Holiday Weekend, training camp.

Four days training can initially seem a little daunting but by taking one day at a time, you get to experience the various methods and personality of each instructor. We are all individual so sometimes a different take on basics or applications can click with one person more than another.

Shiranamikai members were present over the weekend as always which was great to see. Participating is a prerequisite for taking shodan but sessions are for everybody, not just brown belts and above. They present a fantastic opportunity to learn from highly experienced, world-class instructors, who you might not otherwise have the chance to see.

Imura Sensei has an imposing presence and he amazed students with his take on press-ups. Kobayashi Sensei linked a superb basics and kumite lesson with Gojushho Sho kata. Sawada Sensei has a wealth of knowledge and his classes have always been informative so it was great to see him back. Shiina Sensei is incredibly fast and strong and people always leave her sessions with a smile on their faces. And with Ohta Sensei, you’re looking at a technical masterclass every time.

So, plan your diary ahead and attend as possible in order to experience all that these world class instructors have to offer.

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News Special Club Sessions & Kyu Gradings

Club Training & Grading, March 2018

Ohta Sensei delivered a great session for us this quarter. Everything starts from basics so it was reassuring to spend so much time on the fundamentals. Twisting, turning, preparing… twisting and squeezing as a part of preparation, and how to turn on which part of the foot at a particular point. These aren’t necessarily the things you focus on as a beginner because at that stage it is more the overall impression that you cultivate but from brown belt level and especially for black belts, it becomes increasingly important to refine your technique.

Sensei’s explanation of kiba dachi and his exercise was interesting. Sometimes putting across the information in a slightly different way can make more sense to an individual. Kokutsu dachi, too – are you turning on the correct part of the foot, controlling your weight distribution and using your muscles effectively?

Well done to everybody on passing their grading! We’re open as usual over Easter so looking forward to seeing you training!

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Articles News Outside The Dojo

Karate Club Video Premier

Watching our new club promo together on the small screen at the big screen before it goes live. But how did the popcorn go from being ‘on the club’, to being all over the floor? Never mind, it was a fun thing to do!

Many thanks to all the staff at Odeon Cinema Swiss Cottage for being so welcoming and taking such good care of us. The newly refurbished IMAX screen will open in two weeks time – can’t wait!

And here it for those who couldn’t make it to training on Saturday:

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News Special Club Sessions & Kyu Gradings

9th Anniversary of Shiranamikai

Welcome back to the dojo!

6th January saw our first karate session of 2018 but it was also the 9th anniversary of Shiranamikai! Needless to say we had a gentle (not gentle) re-entry to training followed by some light snacks and cake to celebrate our club’s birthday. Of course, there was lots of fruit, too! Oh, and fresh sushi!

Here’s looking forward to another great year of training… training and eating…

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Events

Anniversary 1

Saturday 5th January 2019 | 4-5.30pm-ish
+ + +   S A V E   T H E   D A T E   + + +
S H I R A N A M I K A I   1 0 – Y E A R   A N N I V E R S A R Y   T R A I N I N G   S E S S I O N

Come and help us celebrate Shiranamikai’s 10th Anniversary! On 6th January 2019 Shiranamikai opened the doors to its first dojo at Harrow School.

A lot has happened over the last 10 years but the core principles of the club remain the same: training always comes first… training, then eating. Here, too, we’ll remain true to our ethos with an hour and a half of excellent training directed by the Chief Instructor of JKA England, Ohta Yoshinobu 7th Dan, before heading off to refuel over dinner.

All our karate friends are welcome to join us – just drop us a line beforehand so we can keep on top of numbers and we’ll add you to the anniversary group email list for updates.

Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre

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News

Happy Christmas 2017!

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year from all of us @Shiranamikai

Come and join us over the festive period:
Saturday 23rd December, 4pm
Last training before Christmas – bring your Santa hat!

Saturday 30th December, 4pm
Last training of the year – open dojo; everybody welcome!

Saturday 6th January, 4pm
Keiko osame, first training of the year and 9th anniversary of Shiranamikai

All these sessions take place at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre

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News Special Club Sessions & Kyu Gradings

Club Training & Grading, December 2017

Lots of feedback from Ohta Sensei this December. The class dynamic meant a focus on fewer katas but much more time to study each one. Everybody had plenty of time to practise on their own and black belts were also taken through kata Wankan.

Congratulations to those who passed their grading!

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