Well, he might call it fun....

Joe training in Japan

Let's try and get as many people to the Instructor's Course on Saturday 10th October. This is not only for club instructors but all dan grades and brown belts who help out in their clubs.

The JMAC course in on the Sunday up in Holte School, Birmingham as well.

Already very jealous after seeing all the Facebook photos from the people who went to Japan. When climate change kicks in further so it is not so hot and humid at that time of year, I might just be able to make in future!

Click for Championships Results

by Arne Bergersen

So we're back. Back from the land of the rising sun. What a fantastic country. For my part it was the first visit to Japan, and I am just blown away by the people and the cities.

We stayed in a rather worn down hotel in the Ikebukuro part of Tokyo, but were surrounded by friends from Norway, Sweden, Scotland, England and Finland. The first element that struck me was the cleanliness of Japan. There were basically no trash cans, but people just hold on to their garbage to they found one. Combining this with the fact that on every corner you could buy bottled water it was as far from the streets of Oslo as you could come.

The English and Norwegians had a field trip to Grand Masters dojo, but had no training there. It was a rather small dojo and I don’t think it could hold more than about 30 people for a regular training. Combining this with the fact that it was crammed full with boxes for the Championship there was barley any floor space left. It was nice, though, to have been there and see what is the heart of the Wado Ryu Karate Do Renmei.

Looks like everyone enjoyed their trip to Japan and have the blisters to show for it.

Well done to Jamie Bowen who took 3rd place in his category and Crag Hill on his 7th place in the kata final. Looks like the youngsters are coming through, well I say youngster from a relative perspective.

Hope to see more of your Facebook pictures in the future.

Would be good if someone could write a report on the trip for here.

Best wishes to all that are travelling to Japan for the championships.

I am sure you will have a great time.

Wishing you a safe journey there and back. Will need some photos when you get back.