Competiton Report by Whitney Rose (16)

I really looked forward to competing in Dudley on Sunday. Being the first competition of the year I was eager to get out on the mat, clear all the cob webs and fight well to boost my own self confidence whilst making a positive impression on those around me. To my dismay, I had a very small category which frustrated me at first, however a wise person informed me "you can only beat those who are standing in front of you" So when I concentrate on the things that were in my control for instance how I fought rather that things that were out of my control, I was pleased with my attempt to use a variety of techniques that I have been practising in the dojo. I look forward to participating next month in the English Championships.

Enough about moi, I’m very proud to be part of Kaizen Central. What I perceive to be an extremely hard working association, and more importantly an association that excels most when working in unison. I think everybody done very well on Sunday regardless of getting the medals or not! Those who particularly impressed me were:

Jake, who I have been training with quite often lately. I really feel he has come on leaps and bounds in the last 6 months, and I’m incredibly pleased for him. He is always enthusiastic, and deserves all his future glory.

Carla, who has always been one of the people I’m in awe of in my association. She had ridiculous speed and is a very clever fighter. Also becoming less hot headed in her old age! Lol. Joking aside, she’s forever working hard, and again deserves all her future glory.

Sarria, who hasn’t been training regularly due to injuries, however is definitely on the mend and managed impress all her peers with her sharp movements and continuous point scoring whilst fighting. Well done mate, you make us all proud!

Amy, who had challenging competitors, although she flew through the fights with what being a spectator looked with ease, well done Amy!

Jordan, who scored 18 points in one fight! That says it all really doesn’t it? Again another fighter I’ve always been in awe of, he is next in line for exciting....after little John of course!

I could go on and speak about everybody, but I’m knackered and it’s likely I’ll fall asleep. So before that happens, many thanks to all the coaches, you all deserve a huge pat on the back!
Whitney Rose x

UK Open Championships, Dudley

Since the turn of the new year, our kumite training schedule has been focused on improving fitness, stamina, speed and tenacity whilst maintaining the technical skills developed last year. A lot of emphasis has also been placed on advanced kicking techniques. I have been inspired by the work rate and attitude of the squad and was really pleased to see the hard work pay off in our first competition of 2009 at Dudley. For 12 competitors pick up 12 medals is an achievement in itself but it was the manner that this was done that pleased me the most. Every athlete looked a class above their opponents (even those who who unlucky enough not to win a medal) and it was great to see the techniques we has been working on put into practice.

The following athletes have worked particularly hard this year and I would like to recognise:-

Calra Burkitt - the movement and speed shown yesterday was amazing, a "maturing champion"
Amy Thomason - great consistency, tenacity and a well deserved gold medal in the toughest category
Kerry Gunn - great kicks rounded of with a superb ushiro maewashi geri, technique of the day
Jordan Thomas - 18 points in one fight says it all about his performance
Michael Burke - real consistency and sharpness backed by great kicking ability
Whitney Rose - speed and sharpness backed up with some great kicks
Jake Langeley - speed, sharpness and will get better and better moving forward


I chose to mention these people because they have consistently trained hard and attended nearly every if not all training sessions this year. From my point of view, it was plain to see the step up in pace that these athletes showed yesterday which can only stand them in good stead for the upcoming English Championships and Senior European selections. Well done to you all, I'm proud of you.


Glen Middleton 3rd Dan
Former England International
Kaizen Central Senior Coach

Today we had an excellent E.K.F regional Karate session focusing on the development of kicking skills with the main emphasis on disguising kicking techniques. Each athlete completed several rounds of partner work and pad work before moving on to more complexed drills.

The session was led by Willie Thomas (former World Champion) and assisted by Mervyn Etienne (former World Champion) and Glen Middleton (former England International). Paul Gunn, Kaizen Central chief referee was on hand to advise on the rules and that the quality of execution was point worthy.

Thank you to all and well done to athletes

Willie Thomas 6th Dan

Self Defence

Every Monday at our Luton dojo Sensei Willie Thomas 6th Dan Mike Paget 6th Dan instructs on Kyusho techniques and street self defence.

Carla - European Bronze

You have worked hard for years to achieve this and it is well deserved. I think you can go onto greater things in the future .

Merv

England Training 14th Feb

On Saturday we attended England training as a squad.
There were two parts to the session with a 45-minute break in between.
The first half was a basic session focused on technique and positive blocking. This was progressed gradually to working with partners.
After the break we went straight into fitness; this was based on endurance and being able to hold your form even when tired. The first drill consisted of shuttle runs and exercises such as; sit ups, press-ups, squats and burpees. We were then paired off with our previous partners and continued to work on the techniques from the first half but fast speed.

Overall I feel the session was rewarding, especially with our first Fitness testing taking place in a few weeks!

Carla Burkitt.

Kaizen Central Go England Squad Training

Well done to all that attended the England sqaud training at the weekend. John Anderson, Kerry Gunn, Carla Burkitt, Michael Burke, Whitney Rose, Laura Wheeler, Jake and Rainne.

Willie Thomas 6th Dan
Chief Instructer
2 x World Champion

News

Carla Burkitt,

(18) of Lewsey Farm, Luton and current England No1 under 21 light-weight wins a bronze medal at the Cadet, Junior and U21 European Championships held at the Coubertin Stadium, Paris France this weekend

On Sunday 1st February ‘09 Carla Burkitt won a bronze medal at the 36th Cadet, Junior and U21 European Championships held at the Coubertin Stadium, Paris France. Forty-five countries were represented with over 800 entries making it the biggest championships ever.

Carla has gone from strength to strength after winning a bronze medal last year’s Commonwealth Karate Championships in Scotland and is now establishing herself on the European circuit currently racked number three in Europe. Carla help England to a credible seventh place on the medal table over all being one of six medal winners on her European debut.
England coach Greg Francis stated “It was an excellent performance from Carla and she was a pleasure to coach”. Club coach Willie Thomas, himself a former World Champion says, “Carla has harnessed the very essence of commitment, hard work and loyalty. She has persevered through injury and disappointment, peaks and troughs’, encompassing all what it means to be an elite athlete. I’m very proud of her”.

Carla is a completely self-funded athlete and (although the World Karate Federation has been short listed, it awaits a decision for the inclusion to the Olympic Games in October 2009) she is not eligible for UK sport funding. Carla works extremely hard at the elite- performance academy at Oakland’s college both physically and academically and plans to attend Middlesex University in September to study ‘Sports Injury and rehabilitation’.

Now Carla has her sights firmly placed on the Commonwealth Karate Championships (Mumbai, India) and the World Karate Championships (Rabat, Morocco) later on this year where once again will be a medal hopeful for her Country. Anybody wishing to sponsor Carla in her endeavours can contact Willie Thomas now on 07590 513 003

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