***ANNOUNCEMENTS***

Ataru SKC Grading Success

Sensei Thomson - Chief Instructor, Ataru SKC

Sensei Jamie Thomson began training in Market Drayton, Shropshire in 1989 at the age of 12. He started as a number of his friends were getting involved so 'it seemed like a good idea at the time'. His primary instructors were Steve Hulson of Newcastle-Under-Lyme SKC (Yondan - 4th degree), Otto Blank (Shodan - 1st degree) and Mick Cartwright (Shodan - 1st degree) of Ataru, Market Drayton (Karate Union of Great Britain).

Having gained a large amount of instructing experience at Market Drayton and training numerous students to gain their Shodans, Sensei Thomson attained his Nidan (Second degree Black Belt) on 25 May 2002, once again at Deeside under the late Sensei Enoeda.

In June 2002, Sensei Thomson moved to Bedfordshire and has since trained with numerous clubs around the area from various Shotokan Organisations.

Sensei Thomson wanted to run his own club since moving from Shropshire, in order to teach the Shotokan art to others to the high stanards he has enjoyed from his own experience. In September 2003, he & his wife, Tracii opened a new club and named it after his home town dojo ... Ataru

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.

Sensei has also trained in Aikido, Jui-Jitsu, Tae-Kwon-Do and Kickboxing. He integrates these teachings into aspects of Shotokan instruction but always keeping the Spirit and Style of Shotokan in mind.