events

G.M.A.U.K. Dojo Kumite Tournament December 2011

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:28:30 +0100

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in this long-awaited event! In total, 34 students entered the competition, most having no previous experience of tournaments.
Helping with scoring was Senpai Sam Price and one of our adult students, Gio, helped with the time-keeping. Taking photographs of the event was my neice, Vashanti, who took some fantastic shots of the students warming up, in action and receiving their awards. Sensei Neville was due to attend to help to referee the event but unfortunately, he was held up in traffic on the wonderful A406! Thanks for trying Sensei but please don't use the A406 next time!!
So, as Sensei Neville was unavailable, I had to referee the matches all by myself. This went well, although it meant that most students were only able to spar once, when I had planned for a second round of team kumite for everyone to participate in, there wasn't enough time.
A great time was still had by all even though the event did not go fully as planned. Please see the Instructors Blog tab for details of who placed where.
Once again I would like to extend my thanks to the students for having the courage to enter a sparring competition for the first time, the parents and guardians for supporting the students and those individuals who were able to help out on the day. Also to Sensei Neville Kinghorn for attempting the journey from south London to help us out!
Domo arigatou gozaimashita!

Events for end of 2011 November - December

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:41:30 +0100

Hello, konnichiwa, konbanwa, oyasuminasai!

It's been a very long time since we've held a special event so I've arranged a couple of events between November and December.
On the Friday 25th of November at St Marys Junior school, Hornsey Dojo, there will be a dojo tournament for ALL G.M.A.U.K. & Dentoh students to attend. It will be from 6pm to 8pm, so this means it will replace the usual sessions for that night. It will be a kumite, or sparring, competition and all grades (even beginners) can enter. You will, in most cases, be evenly matched with someone in your age group and/ or size. There will be a flier out soon so look out for it in the dojo's over the next week or so.
The week before that will be a Tournament training week for ALL dojo's. So you will have the chance to learn new kumite skills and sharpen the ones you have and also more importantly, learn the rules for kumite. On the day of the tournament you will need: Sparring gloves, leg pads, mouth and groin guards, which are all available through the club, please enquire at your next class or call. If you aren't able to get these in time, then I have a number of gloves and some spare shin pads available to borrow on the day, so no need for panic! Remember, this equipment is for yours and your opponents' protection.

Sunday 4th December will be the final grading for 2011 in the Hornsey dojo. This will be held at the usual time of 2 - 4pm. All those eligible to grade will be notified in due course. As it's the last 2011 grading, I may invite some students to grade early, however, they will need to have attended solidly through November (at least), to be considered

On Friday 16th December will be our final class at St Marys' Jr school and I have arranged for us to have an extra hour at the end for cakes, snacks and light refreshments and some karate videos to watch!

Gradings at Colindale school will be arranged over the next 2 weeks so watch this space for info.

I am also hoping to invite Sensei Neville and Sensei James down before the end of the year. They will most likely be attending the Hornsey dojo on a Friday evening and possibly, Colindale, on a Saturday afternoon.

Until next time. Thank you for reading!

Sensei Kevin

First 2011 Grade Assessment

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:12:07 +0100

Hi all!

As stated below, the next grade assesment at St Marys dojo will be held on the 27th of February. We have a confirmed date for the grade assessment at the Colindale dojo and this will be on the 26th February. Grading attendance slips will be handed out this week and next week.
Please remember that all GREEN BELT AND ABOVE students must make the effort to attend, especially if you are currently training once per week only. This is to enhance your training.

Sensei Kevin

WELCOME BACK TO TRAINING

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:45:12 +0100

Konnichiwa all students and friends!

Hope you all have had a fantastic time over the Christmas break and, officially, wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR from myself and the team at G.I.F.T.!
Because of the weather conditions we had to end our training earlier than planned in 2010 and some of you also missed out on the chance to achieve your next grade. Not to worry, it has been rebooked and so far, the grading at St Mary's School dojo is in February on the 27th. We have as yet been unable to secure a date for the Colindale dojo, but this will hopefully be arranged for the 26th, watch this space!
We decided that it would be more beneficial for those students who were to attend the last gradings, to do it in February as this would give all of you ample time to prepare.

Also, keep an eye on this EVENTS page as we will be now publishing details of E.G.K.A. events throughout the country and overseas and I will let you know in due course of those which I will be attending. In some cases, we may be able to get a minivan to carry a small group of us there and back ( if any of you can save us some money here, let us know!).

Until next time,

Remember, "Look, Listen, Sweat!!!" (Master Morio Higaonna)

Yours in karatedo,

Sensei Kevin

ST MARY'S SCHOOL DOJO GRADE ASSESSMENT

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:24:41 +0100

YOKU DEKIMASHITA! (WELL DONE) TO ALL STUDENTS WHO PASSED AT TODAY'S GRADING!
I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THE STANDARD OF KARATE AMONG THE STUDENTS WHO ATTEMPTED AND ACHIEVED THEIR NEXT GRADE LEVEL TODAY.
NOW YOU NEED TO GO BACK IN YOUR KARATE AND SHARPEN UP YOUR TECHNIQUES AND KATA UP TO YOUR CURRENT GRADE BELT SO IT WILL MAKE LEARNING YOUR NEXT KATA A LITTLE EASIER.
THANKS TO DAVE FOR PUTTING THE JUNIORS THROUGH THEIR PACES WITH THE BAGWORK AND PRESS UPS, SIT-UPS AND SQUATS.
THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL PARENTS AND GUARDIANS FOR GETTING YOU DOWN TO EACH CLASS AND SUPPORTING YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR TRAINING. I KNOW FOR SOME, THIS CAN BE HARD WORK SOMETIMES!
I HAVE A FEW PICS WHICH I TOOK, BUT I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD EMAIL ME SOME OF YOURS FROM TODAY SO I CAN ADD TO THE COLLECTION!

YOURS IN KARATE-DO

SENSEI KEVIN

COLINDALE DOJO GRADING

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 22:21:36 +0100

WELL DONE TO ALL WHO ATTENDED AND PASSED TODAYS' GRADE ASSESSMENT! I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE LEVEL OF KARATE IN EACH GRADE LEVEL, TERRIFIC!
KEEP PRACTISING AT HOME AND TRAIN TO YOUR 100% EFFORT IN EACH AND EVERY CLASS.

SOME STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ASKING ME QUITE OFTEN, "WHEN AM GOING TO GRADE, SENSEI? CAN I GO TO THE NEXT GRADING SENSEI? CAN I HAVE A STRIPE ON MY BELT PLEASE, SENSEI?" THESE QUESTIONS SHOULD NEVER BE ASKED OF YOUR INSTRUCTOR. IT IS SEEN AS BAD ETIQUETTE IN KARATE. YOUR BELT COLOUR IS A SIGN OF YOUR OWN HARD WORK, EFFORT, SKILL AND ATTITUDE IN THE DOJO. WHEN YOUR INSTRUCTOR FEELS YOU ARE READY, THEN YOU WILL BE SENT TO A GRADING AND NOT BEFORE. TO GUARANTEE YOUR PLACE AT ANY GRADING MAKE SURE YOU FOCUS WELL AND TRAIN HARD IN EACH AND EVERY SESSION SO YOUR SENSEI HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO SEND YOU BECAUSE HE OR SHE CAN SEE THAT YOU ARE WORKING HARD AND LEARNING WHAT YOU NEED TO LEARN. IF YOU ARE NOT INVITED TO THE NEXT COMING GRADING, THIS JUST MEANS THAT THERE IS MORE YOU NEED TO LEARN AND I DO NOT WANT TO SEND ANY STUDENT TO A GRADE ASSESSMENT TO FAIL.
FOR THOSE WHO PASSED, HARD WORK DOES NOT STOP THERE! MORE KATA, DIFFERENT STRIKES, BLOCKS AND BASIC DRILLS ARE COMING YOUR WAY SO BE PREPARED!

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

YOURS IN KARATE-DO

SENSEI KEV

Upcoming Grade Assessment October 3oth & 31st

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 23:12:47 +0100

Konichiwa, ohaiyou gozaimasu, konbanwa! Hello, good morning, good evening!

Yes, as it says above, October 30th AND 31st grade assessments. This has been done to assist those who have been unable to, or, with great difficulty, get down to our Hornsey dojo at St Marys' Junior school for grading in the past.
On the 30th the grading will be held at Colindale primary school dojo and the 31st will be held at the usual venue in Hornsey.
Times as follows:

COLINDALE SCHOOL DOJO, SATURDAY 30TH OCTOBER 10.30AM TO 12.30PM

ST MARYS' DOJO, SUNDAY 31ST OCTOBER 2PM TO 4PM

All of those who have been given a grading authorisation slip may attend either dojo, but you must let me know which one in advance.
One other change will be that all students who are 6th kyu (Green belt) and above must attend grading sessions for extra training, especially if you are training only once per week. The cost will be the same as your normal lesson, except you get 2 hours!! As well as to get in some extra training this will help others who are grading on the day to work harder to get their karate to higher standards! You will not be assessed for grading but juniors will have the opportunity to earn a Mon tag or Samurai Sam coloured band for quality of karate and helping to inspire others and helping us with the grading.

I am hoping Sensei Lance will be able to attend, we haven't seen him for some time now, he's working very hard!!!

Thanks for reading......
Until we next meet....

yours in Karate-do

Sensei Kev

Special Class with Sensei Neville Kinghorn

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 08:46:50 +0100

Konichiwa, konbanwa, ohaiyou gozaimasu! Hello, good evening, good morning!

A great night of training was had by all and I was definitely put through my paces! Thanks again to Sensei Neville for coming down to our Hornsey dojo to enhance our karate skills. Thanks to YOU guys for attending and supporting this dojo event which will be the first of many, I'm sure.
Everyone was pleased and some said that we needed at least another hour! I'll have to negotiate with the school for the next event. Most seminars I have been to last for 3-4 or more hours and even over 2 days. This is something to plan for in the future.
For those who couldn't make it, Sensei Neville told us that he was very pleased with the standard of everyone's karate for their level, so well done!
Anyhow, have a look at the GALLERY for photo's taken on the day. Please, if you took photos can you email them to me when you get some time, thanks.
Until next time,

yours in karate-do

Sensei Kevin

July Grading

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:43:56 +0100

Konnichiwa!

Congratulations to all who passed their assessment on 18th July. I was very impressed with the quality of karate on the day, especially those going higher up the scale to their blue belts. Huge thank you's to Sempai Lance for helping out and taking the students through their paces with pad work, Jen for taking a shed load of pictures for us, parents and guardians and of course, the students for working so hard.
To ALL new graded students, remember to always practice the thing that got you to the belt you are now. Whether it's Sandan Gi, Gekisai Dai Ichi - Ni, Saifa, Renzoku bunkai. Make them sharper and stronger everytime.

Well done to those who double graded on the day also: Vic, Mikey, Ayo, and Joshil.

You've all made me very proud, keep up the work! I hope to see you all at dojo training soon and DEFINITELY at St Mary's dojo on FRIDAY the 30TH JULY 6.30PM for the special class with Sensei Neville!

Mata Ne! See you soon!

Arigato Gozaimashita!#

Sensei Kevin

Special training event with IOGKF / EGKA 6th Dan Goju Ryu Karate instructor

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:16:48 +0100

Konnichiwa!

This is to confirm that on FRIDAY 30TH July 2010 we will be holding a training session with Sensei Neville Kinghorn, 6th Dan IOGKF black belt. It will be a 2 hour session and will consist of the fundamentals of Goju Ryu karate. Namely: Kihon (basics) from striking to movement, kata and also a short Q & A session for you to find out more detail about the Goju Ryu history to the finer details of the actual karate you are learning ie, techniques and bunkai.
There will be a flyer out at your dojos this week but the details are as follows:
St Marys Junior School dojo, Rectory Gardens, Hornsey, London, N8 7QN.
Times: 6.30 - 8.30 pm
Fees: £8 Each. Family discount £5 Each Those only wanting to do the first Hour, £6 Each
As this is a local event, I have been able to keep the costs to a minimum so as many of our North London students can experience this opportunity.
Please arrive 10 to 15v minutes EARLY to get ready and to warm up.
Please let me know in advance if you will be able to make it!
This will also be our last class in Hornsey dojo until September. See HOMEPAGE for details of which classes will be open throughout the summer break.

Thanks for reading!

Arigato Gozaimashita!

Sensei Kevin