***ANNOUNCEMENTS***

Ataru SKC Grading Success

Recent Events

08/03/08 - Ataru SKC & Stevenage KC Grading

Thanks to all those who came to traing with Sensei Ismail on 08/03/08.

Congratulations to all who graded and a special mention to Matthew Stevenson for being awarded 'Most Spirited Grading'.

WELL DONE GUYS!

White/Orange Stripe
Brandon Dean

Red Belt
Kelly Anderson

Yellow Belt
Matthew Stevenson
Samuel King
Morgan Noble
Harry Waby
Joshua Anderson

Green Belt
Matthew Barnett

Purple/White Belt
Kyle Watson
Darrel Watson
Ethan Pearson
Kevin Barnett

Brown Belt
Nathan Challinor
Tracy Challinor
Philip Challinor

Brown/White
Joel Hurst

Brown/2 white
Jack Wuidart
Jamie Challinor (next Kata only)

05/07 - Sensei Thomson awarded Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt)

Sensei was awarded his Sandan (3rd degree Black Belt) by Tanaka Sensei & Sawada Sensei (JKA Belgium) assisted by Ohta Sensei, Larrson Sensei (JKA Norway) and Kurihara Sensei (JKA World Kata Champion) at the 2007 JKA International Spring Course held in the Guildford Spectrum.

05/06 - Tracii Thomson Awarded Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt)

Tracii graded Shodan at the JKA England 2006 Spring Course in Guildford by Osaka Sensei, Technical Director of the JKA.

A big thanks to everyone who has guided and supported her through the years of hard work & dedication, including Sensei Thomson (Tracii's primary instructor & husband), Sensei Adel Ismail, Sensei Peter Welsh, Sensei Tom Peebles and Sensei Wayne Maliszewski.

18/03/07 - Nick Wildman awarded Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt)

Nick rattified his Shodan grade with the JKA on the 18th March 2007 with Ohta Sensei. Nick was already a Shodan with the KUGB.

03/06 - Jamie Gainsford awarded Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt)

Jamie attended the Sleaford course & grading in March 2006 and passed his Kata thus attaining Shodan under Sensei Ohta. (Must do more sit-ups!).

10/03/06 - Ataru SKC & Stevenage KC Grading

Ataru Passes

CONGRATULATIONS ALL!

22/10/06 - Kyu Grade National Championships, Slough Leisure Centre

Sunday 22 October 2006 saw the 2nd JKA England Kyu Grade National Championships. Ataru SKC sent 7 competitors who did us proud with their drive, enthusiasm and effort.

The Championship was well managed and went very smoothly and kept well to the timetable, with no significant hitches.

Anneka Chana came away with Gold in the 13 to 15 yrs girls Kumite with no apparent difficulty throughout each of her rounds. Jamie Challinor won the bronze 10 to 12 yrs boys Kumite, being stopped by an exteremely good opponent, who went on to win. It looked easy due to their concentration & effort, but we know they both worked extremely hard both mentally and physically.

WELL DONE Anneka & Jamie for your medals, but moreover WELL DONE all who represented us and other clubs throughout the JKA England!

Jamie Challinor, Natasha Hirst, Phillip Challinor, Joel Hirst, Jamie Challinor, Tracy Challinor & Anneka Chana

(Left to Right)

Jamie Challinor, Sensei Ohta (Chief Instructor JKA England) and Anneka Chana

(Left to Right)

17/09/06 - Ataru SKC & Stevenage KC Gradings with Sensei Ismail (5th Dan JKA - JKAE Technical Director)

The third collaborative grading with Ataru SKC alongside Stevenage KC, was once again very sucessful.

CONGRATULATIONS ALL!!!

15/06/06 - Ataru SKC & Stevenage KC Gradings with Sensei Ohta (6th Dan JKA - JKAE Chief Instructor)

The second collaborative grading with Ataru SKC alongside Stevenage KC was very sucessful.

CONGRATULATIONS!

28/04/06 to 01/05/06 - JKA England - Spring Course 2006

Osaka Sensei, Aoki Sensei, Kobayashi Sensei & Ohta Sensei

Ataru SKC would like to welcome yet another new Black Belt to its ranks. Tracii Gainsford passed her Shodan grading at the JKA Englands Spring Course in Guildford under examiner, Sensei Osaka - Technical Director of the JKA, even after incuring a nasty injury to her ankle in the session before - Soto-Uke (allegedly) on a Yoko-geri Kekomi - OUCH!!!.

CONGRATULATIONS TRACII!!!

19/03/06 - Sleaford Training & Dan Grading with Sensei Ohtal (6th Dan JKA - JKAE Chief Instructor)

Ataru SKC would like to welcome a new Black Belt to its ranks. Jamie Gainsford attained his Shodan Black Belt at the Sleaford course on Sunday. Nerves hindered Jamie initially however he overcame and pulled thorugh to be sucessful!!!

CONGRATULATIONS JAMIE!!!

'More sit-ups!'

12/03/06 - Ataru SKC & Stevenage KC Gradings with Sensei Ismail (5th Dan JKA - JKAE Technical Director)

Ataru SKC has collaborated with Stevenage KC to provide four gradings a year. Two will be hosted by us with Sensei Ismail - Technical Director JKA England and two will be hosted by Stevenage KC with Sensei Ohta - Chief Instructor JKA England.

This was the first grading under our new collaboraion and was a good success for both clubs. Thanks to all those who attended including guests from Tairyoku Shotokan Karate who attended the training and CONGRATULATIONS to all those who graded. Keep up the good work!

Atarus most spirited grading award goes to Jamie Challinor. Well done Jamie!

20/11/05 - Recent Events - Ataru SKC success at the Kyu Grade Nationals

Sunday 20th November saw the first JKA England Kyu Grade National Championships in Slough. Around 600 competitors and spectators attended from all over the country.

Ataru entered 7 competitors in 2 Kata categories and 4 Kumite categories. The Kata categories were plagued by nerves and unfortunately didn't yield any successes. The Kumite however seemed to bring our young competitors from out of their shell-shock.

Boys Kihon Ippon Kumite  - 6th – 4th Kyu 10, 11 & 12 years - The boys (Luke Randall, Callum Taylor & Jamie Marshall) showed excellent spirit and technique, but were simply pitted against better karate-ka of higher grades and as such, they were unable to progress past the first round.

Girls Kihon Ippon Kumite  - 6th – 4th Kyu 10, 11 & 12 years - Molly Pearson and Hannah Marshall showed phenomenal determination towards success even before their category was called. They were both adamant they were going to progress past the first round. Their determination was complimented by the fact that they both easily beat their opponents in the preliminary rounds who were all higher grades (and older I think too), to go on and meet each other in the final!

Just to prove how close the girls are technically, they drew their first set of Kumite and were asked to go again Migi (attacking with the left). Once again both girls performed excellently with, in my opinion, still nothing between them, however the judges awarded in favour of Molly who took the Gold, with Hannah taking Silver. Regardless of the inter-club final, both girls were/are extatic with the results.

Girls Kihon Ippon Kumite  - 6th – 4th Kyu 13, 14 & 15 years - As expected, Anneka Chana showed her fantastic technical ability and easily made her way to the finals. She was placed against Prianka Basnyat from South East Shotokan. Her performance most certainly lived up to her prior rounds with great technique, but unfortunately the judges went in favour of Prianka who took the Gold. Anneka took the Silver.

Boys Kihon Ippon Kumite  - 6th – 4th Kyu 13, 14 & 15 years - Robert Kitchener was our only entrant in this category and had a fantastic run in the preliminary rounds, beating three karate-ka with what appeared to be moderate ease. Robert was placed against Luke Skinner from Eurokwai in the final, but was beaten by the older boy with superior speed and kime. Never-the-less, Robert showed excellent poise throughout and deservedly left the championships with the Silver!

Congratulations to all competitors who attended the Kyu Grade Nationals and especially to those from Ataru. Competition is a nerve racking experience at the best of times, but all showed fantastic poise and respect.

VERY WELL DONE!

01/10/05 - Ataru SKC Club Grading with Sensei Ismail (5th Dan JKA - JKAE Technical Director)

The Robert Bloomfiled School's new sportshall was the new venue for Ataru's 4th grading. All students trained and graded hard under Sensei Ismail and all deservedly passed!

Ataru would like to express our thanks to Sensei Ismail for attending. We also extend our thanks to the members of Stevenage KC who attended the course and as is tradition, the pub after the fact. Your support is very much appreciated!

Congratulations

Kyle Watson - 9th Kyu
Darrel Watson - 9th Kyu
Rosemary Kitchener - 9th Kyu
Steven Cousins - 8th Kyu
Ethan Pearson - 8th Kyu
Beth Clarke - 8th Kyu
Tracy Challinor - 8th Kyu
Kevin Barnett - 8th Kyu
Philip Challinor - 8th Kyu
Joel Hirst - 7th Kyu
Jack Wuidart - 7th Kyu
Natasha Hirst - 6th Kyu
Hannah Marshall - 6th Kyu
Anneka Chana - 6th Kyu
Molly Pearson - 6th Kyu
Jamie Challinor - 6th Kyu
Jamie Marshall - 6th Kyu
Luke Randall - 6th Kyu
Callum Taylor - 6th Kyu
Adelle Gainsford - 5th Kyu
Robert Kitchener - 4th Kyu
Mark Landsbury - 4th Kyu

The above image is Copyright of Gareth Kitchener

04/07/05 - Japan Karate Association England, National Championships - Guildford Spectrum

The Second Japan Karate Association England, National Championships were once again held at the Guildford Spectrum. Competitors arrived from all over the country to compete against each other in the various categories. As at last years 'Nationals' the standard was very high across the board with some phenomenal performances in both Kata and Kumite events.

Being a relatively new club and the fact that competition was only open to those of 3rd kyu and above, Sensei Jamie Thomson was once again the only competitor from Ataru and indeed Bedfordshire. Jamie entered both Kata and Kumite events.

He was knocked out of the first round in Kata against Brian Gwyther of Reading SKC. Jamie made a nervous mistake, making the first two moves from Heian Godan as opposed to Heian Sandan which was called ... the rest of the Kata wasn't too bad however!

The day was extremely well organised which no doubt stemmed from last years experiences. CONGRATULATIONS to the JKAE Committee and Officials of the day who orchestrated a smooth and well competition.

We would also like to extend our CONGRATULATIONS to all Competitors and Spectators who also helped make the day a success.

Highlight of the Day
Our highlight of the day has to be the impressive performance of Unsu, by Carol Beach (JKAE Kata Squad Member) which won her the JKAE Ladies Kata Champion, 2005.

For a full breakdown on results, please visit the JKA England web site

16/06/05 - Training and Grading with Sensei Ohta (JKA England Chief Instructor) - Stevenage KC

Congratulations to Joel Hirst who graded 8th Kyu and Phillip Challenor who graded 9th Kyu under Sensei Ohta as well as to the sucessful students from Tairyoku SKC who also attended. Ataru would like to thank Stevenage KC for hosting the sessions, as always a very good evening of training and grading for all!

16/04/05 - Training and Grading with Sensei Ismail (JKA England Technical Director) - Ataru SKC

Ataru would like to express our thanks to Sensei Ismail for attending. We also extend our thanks to the members of Stevenage KC and Southill SKC who attended the courses. Your support is very much appreciated!

CONGRATULATIONS ALL

9th Kyu Pass
Louisa Steeley, Owen Steeley, Ethan Pearson, Steven Cousins, Beth Clarke, Shannon Burns, Kevin Barnett, Tim Baxter, Ian Burns, Tracy Challenor, Kerry Kirby, Clare Kirby, Debbie Hollick

8th Kyu Pass
Jacques Carboni, Jack Wuidart, Simon Taylor, Nathan Challenor

7th Kyu Pass
Luke Randall, Callum Taylor, Jamie Marshall, Jamie Challenor, Hannah Marshall, Natasha Hirst, Leanne Baxter, Anneka Chana

6th Kyu Pass
Adelle Gainsford, Daisy Clark

5th Kyu Pass
Mark Lansbury, Robert Kitchener

Belated CONGRATULATIONS to Molly Pearson, who graded 7th Kyu at Stevenage SKC in February

04/01/05 - Asia Earthquake/Tsunami Disaster

Due to the horrific events throughout Asia as a result of Earthquake and the following Tsunamis, Ataru SKC have donated £100 to the relief effort from club funds. Our sympathies go out to all effected by the events.

27/11/04 - Training and Grading with Sensei Ismail (JKA England Technical Director) - Ataru SKC

Saturday 27th November saw Ataru hosting our second grading, once again with Sensei Ismail Examining. The afternoon began with a Brown and Black Belt training session which covered Kihon, Kumite and Kata with extension of Meikyo and Bassai-Dai Bunkai. As usual Sensei Ismail's explanation and description was excellent throughout.

Commendations go to Callum Taylor, Jamie Challenor and Adelle Gainsford who all were awarded the Gold Certificate for excellence throughout the training and grading.

Ataru would like to express our thanks to Sensei Ismail for attending.

CONGRATULATIONS ALL

9th Kyu Pass
Nathan Challenor, Will Hallier, Eric Hallier, Celine Hallier, Luke Hallier, Joel Hirst, Simon Taylor, Jack Wuidart

8th Kyu Pass
Bethany Ashley, Lottie Ashley, Leanne Baxter, Jamie Challenor, Anneka Chana, Natasha Hirst, Jamie Marshall, Hannah Marshall, Molly Pearson, Luke Randall, Callum Taylor

7th Kyu Pass
Adelle Gainsford, Daisy Clark

6th Kyu Pass
Dami Apampa, Robert Kitchener, Cass Meaby

14/10/04 - Training and Grading with Sensei Ohta (JKA England Chief Instructor) - Stevenage KC

Numerous club members from Ataru attended the training & grading hosted by Stevenage KC, joined by members of Zanshin and Southill dojos.

As always, the training was extremely good for both Kyu and Higher grades, with a nice slant on sparring training and methodologies. Everyone who attended worked hard and tried their best.

Tracii Gainsford successfully graded 1st Kyu and Mark Landsbury graded 6th Kyu, both with no real problems. They both showed great respect and performed very well on the day. CONGRATULATIONS to them both!

03/07/04 - Training and Grading with Sensei Ismail (JKA England Technical Director) - Shillington Dojo

Saturday 3rd July saw the first grading held by Ataru SKC, which was a resounding success!

Sensei Ismail ran two training sessions, one for brown and black belts and one for lower kyu grades. Both sessions were extremely informative and enjoyable with an good focus on Kata (Gojushiho Sho) for the higher grades and all round technique for lower grades.

The grading session began at around 15:15 with 20 Ataru members being examined (21 in the photo including sneaky Nathan!). We are extremely pleased to report that all karateka passed, showing fantastic patience, focus and control throughout, showing great respect for Sensei Ismail, Sensei Thomson, Tracii and each other.

WELL DONE TO ALL and a big thank you to Sensei Ismail for kindly agreeing to run our grading and to the members of Stevenage KC who attended the training before hand.

CONGRATULATIONS

Click Picture for full size picture

9th Kyu Passes (Orange Belt)

Natasha Hirst, Bethany Ashley, Hannah Marshall, Jamie Challinor, Molly Pearson, Anneka Chana, Leanne Baxter, Lottie Ashley, Luke Randall, Jacques Carboni, Callum Taylor and Jamie Marshall

8th Kyu Passes (Red Belt)

01/07/04 - Training and Grading with Sensei Ohta (JKA England Chief Instructor) - Stevenage KC

Members from various clubs attended the session at Stevenage KC including Ataru SKC, Zanshin SKC, Southill SKC, and Dartford SKC. The training was excellent as always and the majority of those grading faired well.

Congratulations to Tracii Gainsford, Ataru SKC's Club Administrator who successfully graded 2nd Kyu under Sensei Ohta and a thank you to Stevenage KC for inviting us to attend.

27/06/04 - JKA England Nationals

The venue for the first JKA England National was the Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex and was attended by around 320 competitors from various clubs around the country. The overall quality was very good with some top class Kata and Kumite performances.

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Well done to all who competed!

01/06/04 - Ataru to be full-time at Shillington Lower School

As of September, Ataru SKC will be based solely at Shillington Lower School. This is a positive step for Ataru, as the dojo is larger and affords us a greater base of students. As such, we will be running three classes on Monday and two on Wednesdays (as usual) to cover all ages and abilities from 5 years old. Further details of the classes will be released at a later date.

Go to Venue and Times for up to date details

19/02/04 - Ataru Grading at Stevenage SKC

Ataru's second grading was held at Stevenage SKC, once again under Sensei Ohta (6th Dan JKA). Attendance was excellent with recognisable members from Ataru SKC , Stevenage KC, Southill SKC and Zanshin SKC.

As usual the night was split into three sections. First was the Junior Grade training, followed by the Brown/Black Belt training with a short break before the Grading (up to 1st Kyu).

Ataru had 9 members attend the grading who all passed with no major problems, as follows:-

Tracii Gainsford - 3rd Kyu
Mark Landsbury - 8th Kyu
Cassandra Meaby - 8th Kyu
Dami Apampa - 8th Kyu
Robert Kitchener - 8th Kyu
Adelle Gainsford - 9th Kyu
Daisy Clarke - 9th Kyu
Abbi Netherton - 9th Kyu
John Gavin - 9th Kyu

CONGRATULATIONS

The next grading at Stevenage will be held on 01/07/04 once again with Sensei Ohta.

Ataru would like to extend thanks to Stevenage KC for allowing us to share gradings with them. The collaboration is very much appreciated.