10th JKA Scotland Gassuku 2017
During the weekend of Friday 20th, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd of October 2017, JKA Scotland welcomed Sensei’s Kurasako, Ogane and Ohta to Scotland.
The event was well attended with 24 Clubs represented from across Scotland. On the Friday , Sensei Kurasako concentrated on the basic applications of one attack sparring. Emphasis was on the hips being level and the distance being correct from your opponent with focusing on Kime. Sensei Ohta thereafter committed the second half of the Friday with an exhibition of Goju-Shi-Ho-Sho.
The Brown and Coloured belts were separated from the Dan grades and worked on Kata and basics to suit their specific needs and standards. Emphasis was placed heavily over the full weekend for the Junior grades in respect of attitude, stances and maintaining balance, with a lot of work with partners and Kihon Kumite.
Saturday was a treat again with Scotland’s first experience of Sensei Ogane, who chose to work on hip rotation with a complex sequence of punching which was hard work but enjoyed by all. Sensei Kurasako then took the Dan grades through a master class of application into Bassai-Sho
The Sunday completed the weekend’s classes with details for the forth coming Dan examinations from Sensei Kurasako and terminated with Ogane Sensei teaching the students Sochin.
Away from the training the sensei were treated to a day’s Clay pigeon shooting and a party to celebrate our 10th Anniversary at Pitbauchlie Hotel. This was well attended by JKA Scotland students and their families and the ceilidh was great fun.
We would like to thank JKA HQ Japan for sending such gifted Instructors who we learned so much from and who enjoyed our hospitality during the weekend
Congratulations to all who successfully passed Dan grading examinations .
| Pass first Dan JKA (Shodan) | |
| Blair Flynn | Dalgety Bay |
| Helen Alexander | Musselburgh |
| Finlay Mitchell | North Berwick |
| Andrew Chalmers | BanffWilliam |
| William Johnston | Carnegie |
| Ohran McDonald | Aberdeen |
| Christy McDonald | Aberdeen |
| Chris Smith | Aberdeen |
| Pass 2nd Dan JKA (Nidan) | |
| Grant Reekie | Dalgety Bay |
JKA Scotland
Special Course 2017
Sensei Ohta 7th Dan JKA
On Saturday 2nd September at Dunfermline High School, JKA Scotland’s brown and black belts were enthralled by the second Kata Course of the year, delivered by Sensei Ohta 7th Dan JKA. Students travelled from around the country, even with the threat of traffic chaos due to the pedestrianisation of the new Queensferry Bridge, to enjoy several hours of informative Kata training.
Kata Jion was the first Kata, which was presented to both brown and black belts by Sensei Ohta. A lot of consideration was given to the expansion and contraction of techniques with emphasis on maintaining correct stance lengths when moving from one stance to the other. Students were given the opportunity to ask questions at the end of this first session.
Following the first break, the Brown belts continued their training in another gym under the instruction of JKA Scotland Technical Committee instructors Sensei Simpson 6th Dan JKA and Sensei Deans 5th Dan JKA. Kata Enpi and Kata Bassai Dai were explained in thorough detail.
Sensei Ohta continued his Instruction of the Dan grade students with first Kata Kanku Sho, then Kata Nijushiho. Both katas had their own very distinct personality. The correct execution of techniques were demonstrated and explained in clear detail by Sensei. He also took care to help us understand how individuals can perform a kata which enhances their own individual personality while not distracting from the essentials of the kata.
JKA Scotland would like to pass on our thanks to Sensei Ohta for continually bringing enjoyable and educational instruction to our Kata Courses which all our members enthuse about and take back to their own clubs.
Special thanks to all JKA Scotland members who attended, your support is always appreciated.
New Club Opening
JKA Scotland are welcoming a new club to the Association. JKA Glasgow – West End opens on Monday 4th September, with instructor David Hall 2nd Dan JKA.
David initially started karate in the mid 70s as a junior and continued at the University of Glasgow in 1981. He achieved Shodan in 1988 with Enoeda Sensei and instructed at the University Club thereafter. In 2008 David achieved Nidan with Tanaka Sensei.
His new club is based in the heart of the West End just off Byres Road and offers adults only classes from 8 to 9.30 pm on Mondays. The club offers an open welcome to all, whether complete beginners, those returning to training and those seeking an opportunity to train in the West End.
JKA Glasgow – West End
Kelvinside Hillhead Church Hall
Saltoun Street
Glasgow
G12 9AR
JKA Scotland
Special May Course 2017
On 13th May at Dunfermline High School, JKA
Scotland held it’s annual Special May Course and Dan Grading with Sensei
Ohta 7th Dan JKA.
JKA Scotland Instructors and brown and black belts students once again showed their commitment to JKA Karate by braving the poor weather to turn up and support another excellent training course.
The course began with all students together and basic Kihon training, concentrating on the central power house and hips working with the blocks and punches. The detail and simplicity of the explanation of techniques by Sensei Ohta was remarkable which transferred brilliantly to his students who worked so hard to demonstrate their understanding of his guidance.
After a quick much needed break, we all remained together to then enhance the techniques shown in the first section to include different lengths of movement with the blocking and attacking techniques as would be used in Jiyuu Ippon Kumite. Sensei explained which muscles would be needed to get 100% of effectiveness executing the move, which he then clearly demonstrated. All students were then partnered to practise these techniques with varying degrees of success but with all wanting to know more and determined to correct for themselves and for the JKA Scotland Instructors to pass onto their own students.
Following a final break, the class was split with the students choosing which kata they wanted to study in more depth, Tekki Nidan, Jion or Bassai Dai. Sensei Ohta and JKA Scotland Technical committee gave in depth training on each with all students leaving with a much greater understanding of the their chosen kata and its application.
We all came together at the end to demonstrate our chosen Kata and listen to Sensei giving advice to those attempting a Dan grade today with any questions being answered.
JKA Dan Grading:
Following the conclusion of training, a JKA Dan grading took place. The following students were successful.
| Pass 1st Dan JKA (Shodan | |
| Reagan Summers | Carnegie |
| Jaac Lockhart | Dalgety Bay |
| Pass 2nd Dan JKA (Nidan) | |
| Daniel Simpson | Musselburg |
| Kyle Bruce | Shibumi |
Congratulations on your successful Dan Grade.
Many thanks to Sensei Ohta for a very informative and enjoyable course and thanks to all JKA Scotland Instructors and Students for supporting the event making our Special May Course another successful JKA Scotland training session.
The next event to look forward to in our JKA Scotland Calendar will be the Regional Kyu Gradings with Sensei Ohta in June.
JKA Scotland
Association National Championships 2017
JKA Scotland’s annual championships were held on Saturday 11th March at Dunfermline High School, Dunfermline.
Competitors from all over Scotland turned up at 9.00am eager to start the day, along with a fantastic support group of family and friends. The enthusiasm and etiquette of the competitors were a credit to their senseis and families. The smiles on the faces of those who brought home a trophy, especially the junior competitors, made the day complete.
The organisers would like to thank all competitors, officials, assistants, Active First Aid Scotland, spectators and families for their support and contribution to making the event the success it was.
A special mention has to go to those who donated to Scottish Ambulance at the Championships. JKA Scotland made the decision to support Scottish Ambulance to honour Sensei Ian Hunt who very sadly and suddenly passed away in December. Sensei Ian was a much loved and respected member of our JKA Family and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, a true karate-ka.
Sensei Ian Hunt 2nd Dan JKA
Below are the full medal results from the championships:
| Children Kata under 10 yrs beg to 4th kyu | |
| 1st Hannah Stewart | |
| 2nd Lucy Dykes | |
| 3rd Wali Mossa | |
| 3rd Ayaan Mohammed | |
| Children Kata under 10yrs 3rd kyu and up | |
| 1st Connor Beggs | |
| 2nd Aidan Hodge | |
| 3rd Logan Stewart | |
| 3rd Ruby Wallace | |
| Children Kata 10-12yrs Beg to 4th kyu | |
| 1st Becca Jones | |
| 2nd Brandon Sinclair | |
| Children Kata 10-12yrs 3rd kyu and up | |
| 1st Kyle Bruce | |
| 2nd Lewis Simpson | |
| 3rd Holly Williams | |
| 3rd Blair Flynn | |
| Junior Kata 13-15yrs all grades | |
| 1st Lucy Hull | |
| 2nd Lucy Ferguson | |
| 3rd Daniel Simpson | |
| 3rd Tom McFadyean | |
| Ladies Kata 16yrs + all grades | |
| 1st Jodie Ferguson | |
| 2nd Caitlin Gray | |
| 3rd Bethinn Wright | |
| 3rd Rachael Millar | |
| Mens Kata 16yrs + all grades | |
| 1st James Campbell | |
| 2nd Calvin Bruce | |
| 3rd Richard Flynn | |
| 3rd Paul Watson | |
| Junior Team Kata | |
| 1st Dalgety Bay A | |
| 2nd Shibumi A | |
| 3rd Carnegie A | |
| 3rd Dalgety Bay C | |
| Senior Team Kata | |
| 1st Shibumi A | |
| 2nd Dalgety Bay A | |
| Children Kumite under 10 yrs beg to 4th kyu | |
| 1st Hannah Stewart | |
| 2nd Wali Mossa | |
| 3rd Lucy Dykes | |
| 3rd Ayaan Mohammed | |
| Children Kumite under 10yrs 3rd kyu and up | |
| 1st Aidan Hodge | |
| 2nd Conor Beggs | |
| 3rd Logan Stewart | |
| 3rd Ruby Wallace | |
| Children Kumite 10-12yrs Beg to 4th kyu | |
| 1st Brandon Sinclair | |
| 2nd Becca Jones | |
| Children Kumite 10-12yrs 3rd Kyu and above | |
| 1st Kyle Bruce | |
| 2nd Blair Flynn | |
| 3rd Lewis Simpson | |
| 3rd Holly Williams | |
| Junior Boys Kumite 13-15yrs 3rd kyu and above | |
| 1st Daniel Simpson | |
| 2nd Jay Scott | |
| 3rd Callum Flynn | |
| 3rd Dylan Buckley | |
| Junior Girls Kumite 13-15yrs all grades | |
| 1st Lucy Hull | |
| 2nd Iona Barclay | |
| 3rd Katie Swift | |
| Cadet Kumite Male | |
| 1st Calvin Bruce | |
| 2nd Robbie Coulter | |
| Ladies Kumite over 16yrs all grades | |
| 1st Bethinn Wright | |
| 2nd Michelle Van Rensburg | |
| 3rd Marion Robertson | |
| 3rd Ellen Deeprose | |
| Mens Kumite over 16yrs all grades | |
| 1st James Sinclair | |
| 2nd Calvin Bruce | |
| 3rd James Campbell | |
| 3rd David Grant | |
| Special Awards : | |
| Best Junior – Hannah Stewart | |
| Best Senior – James Campbell | |
January Special Kata Course 2017
Sensei Ohta 7th Dan JKA
With what is becoming a tradition, JKA Scotland’s first National Course of 2017 was the Brown and Black Belt Kata Course with Sensei Ohta 7th Dan JKA on Saturday 21st January at the Queen Anne High School in Dunfermline.
Despite the ice and thick fog, JKA Scotland members from all four corners of the country made their way to Dunfermline eager to participate in this highly enjoyable and educational Kata Course.
The first Kata of the day, which was presented to both brown and black belts by Sensei Ohta, was Kata Enpi. Kihon techniques in changes of direction without losing power and stability were explained and practised before moving onto the full kata and applications. Sensei concluded with his demonstration of Enpi which highlighted all the teaching during the first part of the day.
After a short break the Brown belts continued their training in another gym under the instruction of JKA Scotland Technical Committee instructors Sensei Simpson 6th Dan JKA and Sensei Stewart 5th Dan JKA. Kata Kanku Dai and Kata Jion were covered.
The Black belts continued their learning with Kata Sochin. Sensei Ohta’s presentation of control of movement and specifically the importance of how a karate-ka moves from one technique to another was exceptional. The final Kata’s of the course for the black belts were Kata Tekki Shodan and Tekki Nidan, with practical application practise with partners.
The brown and black belts came together to finish the session with a presentation of Dan Grade Certificates for recent successful JKA Scotland students.
Many thanks to Sensei Ohta for a fantastic day. His incredible depth of knowledge is delivered in an educational and enthusiastic manner with good humour and kindness. It is always a joy to learn from him.
Thanks also to all JKA Scotland members who attended and made the start of our Association’s 10th year such a success.
