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What a year 2009 was for Wessex Karate Academy

They kicked off in April with the Nationals competition in which nearly every competitor from Wessex brought home a medal.

 

Main Instructor of Wessex Karate Academy Sensei Peter Thompson was recommended by 7th Dan black belt Arnold De Beer, Chief instructor of South Africa to take part in the Kobudo Championships in Okinawa, Japan in August. Peter was already a brown belt in the Art of Traditional Okinawan Weaponry and was being offered the chance to gain his black belt in the home of what he does best. Peter chose to share the opportunity and selected one other black belt to go with him, 23 year old Scott Robyns. Scott has been doing Karate since 1991 at the tender age of five. He achieved his black belt at 12 years old, the minimum age possible in Go Ju Ryu. He is currently a 2nd Dan black belt and has been training in Kobudo since 2006.

 

The competition was held at the Okinawa Prefecture and is said to promote physical strength, respect and courtesy. Currently there are 50 million people from 178 countries training in Okinawan Karate.

Apart from a small contribution from Go Ju Ryu Karate International both Peter and Scott funded themselves for the trip of a lifetime. Not only did they get to train with 10th Dan Grandmasters they also met Ko Uehara, the very man the Karate Kid films were based on.

 

Peter gained the right to teach Kobudo so he can pass on his knowledge. He is one of only four people in Great Britain to teach this style of weaponry.

 

There were more celebrations in October when Wessex Karate Academy held the first ever South West championships.

The event was a huge success with competitors travelling from all over the south west of England.

Adults and children alike took part and had an audience of spectators who all thoroughly enjoyed the day.

 

The 2009 Winter Gasshuku was the icing on the cake for Peter when he took his 5th Dan grading. Peter was graded by Sensei James Rousseau, 8th Dan black belt, and founder of Go Ju Ryu in England. Alongside Sensei James was a host of other well respected black belts from all over Europe. Peter is the youngest person to reach 5th Dan at aged 30 – this is the minimum age to even be considered for this honoury grade.

 

Onward and upward for Sensei Peter Thompson and Wessex Karate Academy.