Great news for Ryukyukan
Koei Nohara Hanshi was awarded his 9th Dan on the 01/01/2011. Sensei first started training as a child under his father Kaoru Nohara 10th Dan who is now aged 99 years old. The 9th Dan was given to sensei for his hard work in promoting Shorinryu karate around world. As well as teaching seminars, sensei has also had a book on karate published and regularly writes articles for a Japanese Martial Arts magazine. I am sure that everyone would like to join me in wishing our sensei congratulations on a well deserved award.

Ten Year Awards
At Matsuri’s 19th anniversay presentation evening, Holly Bishop. Paige Bishop and Luke Herbert all received their 10 year awards, Finch sensei is very proud of you.

It is always a great feeling watching students receive their ten year award, knowing that through their commitment to karate the lineage of Shorinryu will continue. Congratulations to Holly, Paige and Luke on your achievement.

Nohara Hanshi Visit
For me the highlight of the year is always Nohara Hanshi’s visit and seminar, especially as Nohara Hanshi can only visit once this year as he will be conducting seminars in South America and the USA later in the year. The open seminar on Saturday 2nd was well attended by both Matsuri students and guests from clubs outside of Ryukyukan.
Nohara Hanshi began the training with Naihanchi Shodan followed by basics. Hanshi then split us into groups for Kata and Kobudo, this gave students to train with our international guest, Jim and Kathy Ernest sensei from Ryukyukan USA and Mamoru Toda sensei from Tokyo Japan. Once again I am very proud of how well our students trained, especially the younger members, as it was the first time that many of them had met with Nohara Hanshi.

5th EU Ryukyukan International Open Karate & Kobudo Tournament
3rd April 2011 Rushcroft School, Chingford, London
Our 5th EU-Ryukyukan International Open Karate and Kobudo Tournament was once again successful with many students and guest instructors commenting on how well the event was organised. This year saw some of the best performances so far in all the categories. The level of Kata was superb and it was a privilege to witness a world class performance of Kushanku Dai from the All Ryukyu's Kata champion, Nanako Higa.
The full contact kumite section, which grown not only size but standard, proved to be the toughest category with some edge of your seat bouts. Well done to everyone involved for their help in making the tournament run smoothly and thank you to all, especially our international guests for their help in refereeing and judging. A list of the results and photos can be found on the Ryukyukan International website. www.ryukyukan.org

Also at the tournament two parents of students, Ryoko and Junko both originally from Osaka Japan, raised £120 for the recent disaster. The money will be added to a £1,000 already raised by Ryoko and giving to the Japanese Red Cross via the embassy of Japan.

We are now preparing for the Ryukyukan International tournament in California USA, so there is no rest in training for those who want to attend the US tournament which is now in its 10th year.

New Black Belt

On the 5th April, Sam Longhurst aged 17, passed his Shodan test (1st black belt). Sam, who is a student of Ryukyukan Romford Dojo, took his exam while Nohara Hanshi was visiting London for the Ryukyukan EU tournament and seminars.His exam had an international panel, with Nohara Hanshi 9th Dan Okinawa, Jim Ernest Sensei 6th Dan USA and Craig Finch Sensei 6th Dan UK.

Sam started training in 2005, he has worked hard to get to black belt and I am sure he will continue to work hard for his 2nd Dan. Congratulations Sam, we are all very proud of you.

Sponsored Kick

Thank you to all the students and parents that helped raise over £500 to get our team out to California for the 10th US Ryukyukyn Open Karate and Kobudo Tournament. The sponsored 1000 kick took place on Saturday 24th our Honbu Dojo and although the kicks were hard work the atmosphere was great with everyone giving a cheer each time we completed 100 kicks. Well done everyone, especially Ethan Smyth aged 4 who managed to complete all the kicks and still had energy to spare.

USA Tournament
This year’s 10th International Ryukyukan Karate & Kobudo Tournament held in California, was a great success. As with previous years the standard was very high especially in the full contact category, which is growing into quite an event attracting fighters from across the US, Europe, Japan and even Mongolia. Our UK team came away from the tournament with two gold, three silver and three bronze medals, so well done to Sahma Choudhury, Sonny Nash, Jeffrey Bryant, Luke Herbert and Nathan Howse.

With the tournament over the UK Ryukyukan members got to spend some time training and socialising with the USA members who always do a great job of making us feel very welcome. On the Sunday after training Nohara Hanshi tested students for Dan grade advancement, all the applicants passed, giving Ramtown Karate five new Black Belts. The next day both the US and UK Ryukyukan members had a well earned relaxing day, touring San Francisco, which really is a great city.

Thank you to Ramtown Karate for all their hard work with the tournament and for looking after the UK team members. I would also like to thank everyone that supported the fundraising events, without their help the US trip would not have been possible.

Photos from the 10th International Ryukyukan Karate & Kobudo Tournament can be viewed at www.ryukyukan.org and the Ryukyukan International Facebook page.

Student of the Year Awards
Once again it was difficult to decide the 2010 students of the year; everyone at Matsuri has worked hard over the year.

The results for Branch Dojo students of the year are:
Thomas Barrett
Miguel Silva
Jacob Elliott
Dominic Ryan
Oliver Waldron
Alex Goring
Atu Warren
Jeffrey Bryant
Daniel Bailey
Darren Pike
Barry Seddon

Matsuri students of the year are:
Yousef Zaman(junior)
Sam Longhurst(Cadet)
Karren Janata(Adult)

Work hard for next year as it will be our 20th year anniversary.

Shisa Club Student of the month
Devin Killoran aged 6 has won October's Shisa Club student of the month. Devin trains at the Monday class under Karren Janata Sensei.

Student of the month
Cameron White aged 9 has won October's student of the month. Cameron always trains with spirit and works hard at her karate.

Karate training is not just about good technique; it is also about good character. It is difficult each month to decide who wins student of the month as all of our students work hard, because of this we are looking for students that stand out with good attitude and mutual respect.

Shisa Grading Results 11/09/2011
9th Kyu
Nathan Morgan
Koral Nejat
Ruby Golbourne-Smith
Bradley Gell
Alexander Tyzack
Alex Hennessy
Thai Leon
Lily Levy
Caleb Wright
Louie Onisiforou
Jessica Chapman
David Campling
Rebecca Walton
Kyren Wallace
Dominik Starzewski
Marina Scanlon

8th Kyu
Ciara Costelloe
Lia Cloake
Francesca Rampat
Alfie Murray
George Murray

Grading Results 27/11/2011
9th Kyu
Maciey Zelenicky
Patrick Ikemefuna
Aaron Plummer
Caner Govenc
Anil Yurtseven
Varol Yurtseven
Donna Rampat

8th Kyu
Charles Scanlon
Meksel Direk-Azizoglu
Matteo Consiglio
Lillie Ryan
James Campbell
Elijah Goodman
Luke bedding
Billy Dawson
Thomas Deer
Naail Choudhury

7th Kyu
Michael Loates
Pejash Ghoorah
Dominic Ryan
Archie Berry
Jessica Licheri
Elishia Daniel
Kayte Oakes
Simon Licheri

6th Kyu
Oliver Waldron
Sahma Choudhury (A pass)
Brandon Smith
Oscar Dean
Alex Goring
Sonny Nash
Amber Charie
Marsel Borici
Sebastian Diaz
Matthew Mapover
Debbie Naylor

5th Kyu
Anya Ladbury
Nneka Warren
Anthony Katsapaou

4th Kyu
Andrey Grachov
Savion Alexander
Atu Warren
Alexander Rowe

3rd Kyu
Miguel Silva
Paige Bryant (A pass)
Thomas Yarrow
Evan Ladbury
Scharhymn Laronde-Thomas (A pass)
Caitlin Steppings
Michael Collins

Next Grading is Sunday 19th February
10.00am Honbu Dojo,
E4 Health & Fitness Club, Hickman Avenue Highams Park E4 9JG