Latest news from Easingwold Shotokan Karate Club


NEWS ARCHIVE

15 Feb 2011: Sara Cooper becomes club's first female Senior 1st Dan
Easingwold Shotokan Karate Club is celebrating another student reaching black belt.

Sara Cooper has been training with the club since she was 10 and was awarded her 1st Dan by Sensei Ady Gray, 5th Dan, Chief Examiner of the Byakko Shotokan Karate Association.

She described grading for the belt as an amazing experience: "Everything just seemed to step up a gear and flow. Even then, I didn't think I'd passed. When I heard I'd made it, it didn't quite sink in at first. I was crying when I left the dojo, I was so happy. Even now, I still have to remind myself I'm a black belt."

Sensei Grahame Hunter, 3rd Dan, said he had seen something special in Sara from her first lesson: "After she'd been training for just two weeks, I entered her into a inter-club competition. Some people thought it was a bit early to be doing this, but she stunned everyone by walking off with first prize. That was when they realised she was going places. I'm really proud of her."

02 Jan 2011: Michael Whitehead named Best Overall Student
Michael Whitehead has been jointly named as Best Overall Student in the Byakko Shotokan Karate Association for 2010. He was given the award at the end of year presentations and said he was surprised when his name was called out. "I couldn't quite believe it at first," he said.

Sensei Grahame said the award was thoroughly deserved. "From his very first lesson, Michael has put 100% effort into his training. I've never doubted his commitment or determination."

Michael was made a 1st Dan Black Belt in 2009 and was among the first students when Easingwold Shotokan Karate Club began in 2003.

He shares the award with James Scanlon who trains elsewhere in the Association.

17 Oct 10: More excellent results at the latest grading
Well done to everyone who took part in the recent grading and passed to either gain a tag or move to the next belt.

There were lots of smiles, but also a few disappointed faces for whom Sensei Ady had a special message: not to look on the day as a failure, but to learn why things had not gone well and to see it as an opportunity to work on those areas as a long-term investment in their future karate.

Pictured left after the grading at the new Honbu Dojo in Ripon are Alun Nixon and his son Thomas who both moved to their next kyu grades: Alun to purple belt and Thomas to green. Which means Thomas will now train alongside his Dad in the twice-weekly higher-grades' class.

22 May 10: 3rd Dan for Sensei Grahame and 1st Dan for Jake Robson
Congratulations to Sensei Grahame who passed his 3rd Dan grading today.

On the grading panel was BSKA Grading Examiner, Sensei Ady Gray 5th Dan, Technical Advisor Sensei Dave Hazard 7th Dan and Sensei Colin Smith 4th Dan BSKA.

Asked for a comment, Sensei Grahame said: "Yipppeeeeeeeee!"

Jake Robson was also successful in passing his grading and becoming a Junior 1st Dan. He said it had been a tough grading, but was delighted that he had made it to black belt.

Pictured (left to right): Sensei Grahame Hunter (3rd Dan) and Jake Robson (Junior 1st Dan) .

13 Dec 09: ESKC named as Club of the Year 2009
Great news - Easingwold Shotokan Karate Club has been named by Sensei Ady Gray - founder of the Byakko Shotokan Karate Association - as the Club of the Year for 2009. He made the announcement at the BSKA end of year course and presenations event in Thirsk. Sensei Grahame was delighted and said it was an award that could be shared by everyone who had worked so hard over the last year.

8 Dec 09: Rosey Gregg gets her black belt
Rosey Gregg - who has been training with the club for the last five years - has graded to Junior 1st Dan after being put through a tough grading by Sensei Ady Gray 5th Dan. Rosey - who is 13 - has become the club's youngest Dan grade, and also the first girl to make it to black belt. Rosey said she was stunned when told she had passed because she felt the grading hadn't gone that well. "I haven't stopped smiling since," she said. Sensei Grahame said Rosey deserved the belt, as she always worked hard and put a lot of thought and effort into her techniques. Congratulations from everyone at the club.

26 Jul 09: Easingwold Shotokan Karate Club gets two more black belts
Two more students, who have been with the club from the beginning, have made it to black belt.

Luke Turnbull and Michael Whitehead were at the very first lesson in 2003. A few weeks ago, they were put through a very tough grading by Sensei Ady Gray and Sensei Dave Hazard.

Both Michael and Luke described the grading as incredibly nerve wracking and exhausting as the examiners scrutinised every move. "I never thought I would get this far when I first started karate," said Michael. Luke agreed. "It still hasn't sunk in," he said.

Pictured left to right: Luke Turnbull, Sensei Grahame Hunter and Michael Whitehead.


14 Jun 09: Smiles all-round after course and grading in Easingwold
There were lots of smiles and few looks of frustration as students took part in one of the regular gradings at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold on Sun 14 Jun.

The pre-grading course, led by Sensei Ady, spent time on kumite, which forms part of the grading for red-belts and higher.

For some, this was their first grading - and all passed to achieve 9th Mon (white belt with red tag). "It's always really satisfying for me to see the white-belts make their first move up the grades," said Sensei Grahame. "They've all worked hard and deserve this recognition."

Pictured: Sara Cooper receives her 1st Mon grade from Sensei Ady (left) and Sensei Grahame.

12 Feb 09: Celebrations as the club gets first black-belt student
Easingwold Shotokan Karate Club has its first black-belt student. Jonathon Cooper was one of just eight students in the Club's early days when training took place in a back room at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold. That was 2003, and since then, he has risen steadily through the grades and has now been awarded his 1st Dan black belt. He has also had numerous successes in competitions in both kata and kumite. Sensei Grahame Hunter paid tribute to Jonathon's hard work and determination and described him as "a model student with enormous commitment." The work gets even harder for Jonathan from now on, however, with many more Dan grades to aim for.


9 Aug 08: Malcolm Woodcock presented with Spirit Award medal
Sensei Grahame has recognised the consistent hard work of 8th Mon student, Malcolm Woodcock, by presenting him with a club Spirit Award. "From his very first lesson, Malcolm has put 100% effort into improving his technique," said Sensei Grahame. "I'm really proud of his approach to learing karate and his positive attitude."

Malcolm is no stranger to the dojo, having reached his 1st Dan Black Belt in Wado Ryu karate about fifteen years ago. He was forced to quit, however, when changing work patterns meant he could no longer make it to training. Malcolm was delighted to learn about Saturday morning sessions in Easingwold, but made the decision to train as a beginner. "I'm glad I did," he said. "I needed to re-learn the basics after such a long time, and Shotokan karate is quite a bit different to my old style." Sensei Grahame's next medal award will be in the autumn. In the meantime, his message to students is: "Give it all you've got."