Grading

Results of grading held on Sunday, 25 October, 2009 at Parcroft School, Yeovil.

Congratulations to all those who graded.

The senior instructors would like to express their appreciation and thanks to the black belts who sat on the grading panel, the brown belts who acted as "body guards" and to Emma Scoble for her administrative work. Without them gradings would run much less smoothly and take far longer.

Bristol Open

On Sunday, 18 October, Sensei Scoble took a squad of 6 members of Somerset Karate to the Bristol Open held at the University of the West of England.

Seito Chelsie Scoble fought in the under 145cm, intermediates. As it was only her second competition she did very well, eventually losing by 7 points to 4.

Sempai Matthew Biss and Sempai Aaron Scoble were in the same category, both narrowly losing to superior fighters. The talent here was exceptional.

Sheldon Johnson was also in the intermediates. He fought well and the scores were level at the 2 minute bell. After an extra 30 seconds the scores were still level. It came down to sudden death: first to score wins. Both fighters attacked but Sheldon's opponent made contact first.

Waiting all day to fight it was taking its toll on the last two fighters. Sensei Scoble was up first. It was a fast paced fight with both fighters scoring well and ending with Sensei coming in 3rd.

Seito Craig Kelley got the short straw and was drawn against a fighter from the Greek national team. The fighter was top class, although a few of Craig's scores went awry.

Well done to the Somerset Karate squad: you have the makings of a good team.

WKA Open Nationals

At the World Karate and Kickboxing Association Open Nationals, held at Haden Hills Leisure Centre, Cradley Heath, West Midlands on Sunday, 11 October, Sempai Aaron Scoble won a silver medal and Sempai Matt Biss won a bronze medal. As a result, both have qualified for the WKA England team.

Don "The Dragon" Wilson

We have been notified of a seminar by Don "The Dragon" Wilson in Devon in May next year. (See here for poster.)

For more information, or to register an interest, please see Sensei Scoble.

Watford D-Day

Saturday, 19th September saw Somerset Karate travel to Watford for the Watford D-Day, a competition organised by Watford Freestyle. All the fights are prearranged: the instructors send their fighters' details in and they are matched up based on height, weight and experience.

The Somerset Karate team consisted of:

Sempai Matthew Biss
Sempai Aaron Scoble
Seito Chelsie Scoble
Seito Richard Shore
Craig Ascott

All fights consisted of two 1½ minute rounds, except Aaron's which was set as a challenge fight, consisting of three 1½ minute rounds.

The fights were very well matched and our team had to work extremely hard. The crowd got behind all of our fighters and the atmosphere was great.

A special "well done" goes out to Craig and Matt for taking on a 2nd fight each to give unmatched fighters a go, and to Richard in his first competition.

Congratulations.

Glamorgan Karate

Sempai Paul Huxley, who achieved his black belt with Somerset Karate in February 2006, is to open a Tsuen-Mo-Luen Karate school in Cardiff, Wales. His school, Glamorgan Karate, will open on Monday, 28 September, and will hold classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays at the Plasnewydd Community Centre. Somerset Karate wishes Sempai Huxley every success.

For more information see the Glamorgan Karate web site.

CIMAC UK Open

A group of students from Somerset Karate competed in a well attended CIMAC UK Open tournament in Maidenhead on Sunday, 13 September.

First up was Craig Ascott. Craig was entered into the under 4' 7" advanced category although this was only his 3rd ever tournament. At training sessions prior to the tournament, Craig's skills have developed at a fast pace and with them his confidence. His opponent was skilled and quick off the mark. Craig was finding his adversary's pace difficult at first but his nerves settled and he battled well, eventually losing 6 - 3.

Not content with entering the advanced category, Craig entered into the next height category. This opponent was a good fighter. However, Craig was not deterred and scored with some excellent techniques before ultimately losing 6 - 3. An excellent start to a promising fighting career.

Sempai Aaron Scoble was up next. He was also in an advanced category and was drawn against an excellent fighter from Watford Freestyle. A very fast, skilful fight ensued, points going each way, with Aaron eventually losing by one point, 6 - 5. A rematch was quickly arranged for Watford Freestyle's D-Day next weekend.

Like Craig, Aaron also entered the next category up - Advanced grades, under 17 years. This promised to be fun as Matt was also in this category.

Sempai Matt Biss was up first. His opponent dwarfed him and was deceptively quick: Matt had his work cut out if he was to keep up. Matt's sidekick followed by a hook kick found its target but to no avail: it wasn't scored. His opponent followed through with his hands and out-reached Matt. The final score was 6 - 3. A very good effort.

Aaron was up again. He dominated the fight with a flurry of hands, and several roundhouses narrowly missed the target. Aaron went on to win convincingly, 5 - 1, against an older opponent.

The 2nd round was against a very quick Nottingham fighter. Again a close fight, with Aaron eventually losing 6 -5.

A fight off for 3rd place saw Aaron take on the fighter who had dispatched Matt. Although facing an older and much bigger adversary, Aaron was not put off and his speed was an advantage but not his saviour as he lost out on a trophy place 3 - 2.

Last but certainly not least was Seito Chelsie Scoble in Traditional Forms (Kata) which was amalgamated with Creative Forms making it a difficult category. Chelsie performed Seienchin and, with excellent stances and controlled techniques, this was probably her best performance, ultimately being placed third.

Well done.

Cancelled Lessons

Due to work being done on the floor, there will be no lessons this week at Bucklers Mead.

Due to the Bank Holiday, there will be no lessons next week at Parcroft on Monday, or Midsomer Norton on Tuesday.

We apologise for any disappointment or inconvenience.

Midsomer Norton

Due to holidays, there will be no lessons in Midsomer Norton on Tuesday 4, 11 or 25 August. We apologise for any disappointment or inconvenience.

'Infinity South West and Beyond' Tournament

On Sunday, 19 July, Somerset Karate attended Infinity Martial Arts' second 'Infinity South West and Beyond' tournament and were again successful, coming away with a number of trophies and medals.

Craig Ascott, Brandon Moy and Sempai Natalie Hughes all came first in their respective categories in sparring.

Sempai Hughes also came first in traditional kata, narrowly beating Sempai Steven Moffatt into second.

Craig Ascott, Brandon Moy and a girl called Jasmine (co-opted from Bristol Lau Gar) gained third place in team sparring.

An honourable mention also goes to Sempai Matthew Biss who, while not achieving a placing, still had perhaps his best performance at a tournament.

Midsomer Norton

Due to holidays, there will be no lessons in Midsomer Norton from Tuesday, 30 June to Tuesday, 21 July, inclusive. We apologise for any disappointment or inconvenience.

Grading

Results of grading held on Sunday, 28 June, 2009 at Parcroft School, Yeovil.

'Infinity South West and Beyond' Tournament

On Sunday, 19 April, Somerset Karate attended the 'Infinity South West and Beyond' tournament. Being Infinity Martial Arts' first tournament, we were unsure of what to expect. However, it was superbly run with quality refereeing thanks to Dave Ryan (Watford Freestyle) and Paul Bernard (winner of Sky TV's "Fight School"). A great tournament, held here in the South West.

Semi-Contact Sparring

First up was Craig Ascott in his first tournament although it didn't show and he had a great start. He did not back down and scored some surprising points. Final score 13-5.

Sheldon Johnson entertained the crowd with some excellent leg techniques, won his first fight and lost his second only narrowly. To his amazement he then had to fight off for third place.

Matthew Biss took a few points against him to warm up but then managed to get ahead and win convincingly. In his second fight he was drawn against Somerset Karate's Craig Kelley. With loyalties divided, Sensei Scoble stayed on the sideline with words of encouragement for both. Matthew upped his game and finally beat Craig to go into the final.

In the final, Matt was tiring - this being his third fight, and Craig hadn't let up - and was struggling to make contact with his feet, though his punches were on target. A few techniques taking Matt's wind finally dropped him in the last four seconds. The referees decided to split decision the first place.

After his fight with Matt, Craig Kelly was called in to fight off for third place. Already tired, Craig was at a disadvantage. However, he worked hard and scored some very good hand techniques.

Late in the day came Sempai Natalie Hughes' fight. In what was a small category, Nat had a tough Tae Kwon Do opponent with good leg techniques. Settling down, Nat scored point after point with the 'old faithful' Gyaku Zuki to take 1st place.

Traditional Kata

Kath Pipe originally went along just to watch but got bitten by the bug and entered the kata competition. Up first, Kath battled with her 'first time' nerves, did a very good Sanchin and achieved good scores.

Steven Moffatt, as usual, did a very good Seienchin and came away with a medal. A little work and he will be difficult to beat.

Craig Kelley, although probably trying too hard causing him to 'stumble', made a good effort and achieved very good scores.

A very good Seienchin, with added power and focus, saw Sempai Natalie Hughes awarded first place.

Chelsie Scoble showed her experience with a flawless introduction and excellent stances in Seienchin. In a tie for third place, Chelsie performed another Kata (Tsuki no Kata) and was finally awarded 3rd place. Joey Ansah (of Bourne Ultimatum fame) came across at the end to compliment her performance.

Well done to everyone.

Update: view photos of the event here

Easter Closures

There will be no lessons at Bucklers Mead on Wednesday, 8 April and Friday, 10 April or at Midsomer Norton on Tuesday, 14 April

Crewkerne

From now on Saturdays' training will be held at Stanchester School due to staff shortages at Crewkerne. See Stanchester School page for further details, including map

New Facebook Group

Somerset Karate now has its own group on Facebook - come and join us.