Topic: Sensei Kawasoe's visit

[Moley]

Friday night great session. Hot in the dojo but good for mobility. Soon moving like a 20 year old. Sensei doesn't have to say much, just look at his technique and "tune" in. It's these valuable sessions on the Friday night that makes it all worth while and reminds me why I still do it and am still here. Absolutely exhausted at the end, but there you go, who said it was easy?
Saturday also hot. Another brilliant session. Not as "intimate" as the Friday night because of the size of the hall and the large numbers. Nevertheless still informative and demanding. I had some brilliant "ding-dongs" against various opponents in the kumite. (especially Boothy and Cheungy)
Grading went smoothly, everybody knew their job and did it. Everybody has an essential part to play. A big thank you to Gary Parsons, Keith and Doc Rob for "herding cats".
Dan grading was good. TBH I thought everybody had passed. Kumite was hard and fast. Sorry, but we had to bring out the "secret weapons" (Ben and Boothy). Awesome fighters who would push the Dan grade candidates to the limit. Carwyn did really well with sharp techniques and good kumite, B&D was also the best I have ever seen him. Never mind guy's, next time? Nobody ever said it was easy and we don't want it that way. Congrats to Mitch, Owain Harri and Owain Lloyd. Well done, all the hard work paid off. Hope Mitch's mouth is better. Looking forward to seeing the photo's.
Until next time, back to the dojo for me. I have lot's of things to work on 

[B&D]

Thanks for the kind words and hopefully next time i'll join the elite,but nothing can put a damper on my spirit after my son's achievement yesterday. So proud, it has been a real hard journey for Owain and even though the journey is just beginning for him yesterday was the proof he needed to know that he can achieve whenever he puts his mind to it. Thank you to all the instructors,I'm not going to name anyone since Owain's learning is the culmination of many instructors input. Thank You all. Arwel

[Andrei]

Congratulations to everybody who has taken part in the grading on Saturday, at every grade level. It was amazing to watch you all. With regards to the Shodan grading, I have had a few "wake-up calls" (for lack of a better word) recently, and this was definitely one of them.
I have never expected it to be any different, but the grading on Saturday has shown me yet again that karate is one of those things that the longer you practice, the harder it gets. And I don't mean by that just getting a new belt, but also representing your belt in front of the lower grades coming up. You don't get away with things easily, or even at all, if I should be honest. Like Moley was saying, I'm sure we wouldn't want it any other way.

We have great karateka who take their training very seriously and put in a lot of effort, at every grade level. I am happy to be able to train and learn from you guys. See you all in the dojo.

Thank you to all the instructors for making all of the above possible and also enjoyable.

[Tim Ema]

Truly a wonderful day, great performance by all. The Instructors should by very proud of themselves in their achievement in getting individuals to give their all, and make the day so successful. We are so lucky to have Master Masao Kawasoe to grade our progress ,but what I noticed was how much he was smiling throughout the day ,and I think that smile was contentment, in what he was seeing, and that Karate in North Wales is doing well, and in good hands.

[Lloydie]

report & pic sent to the B&A;C&D