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ALAN CAMPBELL SENSEI VISITS BRISTOL
By Admin
19 July 2024 12:24 am

On Saturday 13th July we were delighted to welcome the Head of JKS England, Alan Campbell Sensei, to Bristol Karate Academy. 

Alan Sensei is an 8th Dan of the JKS, as well as a class A instructor, examiner and referee. This is the top set of assessed qualifications possible within the Japan Karate Shoto Federation, so it was a great honour to have Sensei visit us for the first time since 2021. 

The attendance levels were fitting for such an event. Over 70 Academy members packed out Backwell School’s new sports hall to enjoy Alan Sensei’s teachings. 

Class 1 was held ahead of a kyu grade (coloured belt exam). In all, 48 students successfully passed their gradings, with members taking exams from 12th kyu right the way up to 1st kyu. Congratulations to you all. Keep working as hard as ever in your path towards Shodan! 

Senior grades were also treated to two hours of training with Alan Sensei. During this time, the class explored katas Hyakuhachiho, Hachimon and Meikyo Nidan. This certainly provided everyone with plenty to think about!

At the event, Alan Sensei took the opportunity to present Tim Griffiths Sensei with his rokudan (6th Dan) diploma, earned in November last year, marking the occasion with some kind words about the standard of Tim Sensei’s grading exam, which Alan Sensei watched in Tokyo, Japan. Students of the Academy also took the opportunity to acknowledge the achievement with the gift of a special katana, presented by Alan Sensei and received with huge gratitude by Tim Sensei. 

With the summer grading complete, we look forward to our next special seminar, to be held on Sunday 10th November. More details will be announced for this event nearer to the time, but we know that Academy members won’t want to miss it!