Kyushindo KMAA Annual Seminar - 26th October, Abingdon
Paul Chapelhow, James Allenby and Andrew Pudney attended this event hosted by the Oxford area of the KMAA.
After a brisk group warm-up and basics, the Karate participants (about 100) broke up into grade groups and took part in various activities including Kata, Nunchuku, Bo, Short stick, takedowns and Hanbo (90cm stick). There was also a group of brown belts going through pre-black belt grading training. James and Andrew spent time learning the Hanbo's applications and then helping out instructing in the other various weapons. Paul spent some time comparing Katas with John Smith, from the Enfield club, to see the changes over the years since - of which there were actually few. The kata with the most changes was Kata D (No.4) which is not one that Romsey teach to most students as it is a 1st Dan Kata in the Romsey syllabus. Paul showed 1st Kung Fu to John whilst John went through the elbow kata that Paul had long forgotten. Paul then got involved in the takedowns group whilst also providing throwing fodder for the uneven partnered group.
It was then a 45 minute break for lunch, during which saw James and Andrew having to perform with weapons for the Oxford cameras!!.
The afternoon again broke up into the groups again. James and Andrew were involved in instructing some of the weapons group and the kicking group. Paul and John Smith took the 'Black belt grading' group through basics (at a standard expected by a black belt) and advanced techniques. After this there was a general sparring session which was followed by some demos.
There were various group and individual Kata demonstrations and then 'a street encounter dealing with an annoying male by a female' which ended with a very loud groin strike.
James then performed a Chinese Broadsword Kata based on 1st Kung Fu. The Enfield club showed some of the 1,3 and 5 step sparring practiced there and then Paul and James did various unrehearsed single attacks on each other to try and show some of their 'softer' techniques and movement.
We would like to thank Mike James and the other Oxford instructors for organising such a friendly, educational and successful event. (and picking my name out in the raffle - again!!)
Paul Chapelhow