Shimbun #4

SHIMBUN £5 • $14.50 AUD

HEIR JORDAN

Meet the karateka intent on being crowned king

ON SONG

Inspirational instructor finds voice through training and teaching

ISSUE #4

UNBROKEN Cancer, Covid and crushed spinal discs: students share their remarkable returns

MIND OVER MUSCLE

Why brains are as important as brawn

ISSUE #4•WELCOME

SORRY FOR KEEPING OUR DISTANCE I KNOW. It’s been too long. While I’m all for building a bit of anticipation ahead of the release of a new issue, I can assure you the Shimbun team never intended to keep you waiting for almost a full year for your next dose of dojo dispatches.

Put simply, your magazine — much like the rest of the world — was caught off-guard by Covid-19 and the international lockdowns that followed in the pandemic’s wake. With classes closed and students and sensei off limits, production on this offering ground to an unceremonious halt.

It’s often said you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, but we have always been aware of how lucky we are to be a part of GKR Karate’s extended family — we just never thought we’d be denied the opportunity to shine a spotlight on you.

It’s no secret that it’s been an incredibly difficult time for businesses but the economic 02

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

pinch felt by the publishing industry pales into insignificance when compared to the trials faced — and overcome — by Sensei Greg Brown (pages 32-33) and Dawn Bevan (pages 48-49).

With such tales of triumph over adversity for inspiration, it would simply not have been right for Shimbun to succumb to Covid’s sucker punch and — much like those karateka who made the most of a bad situation by throwing themselves into online training (pages 9-12) — there has been very little resting on laurels.

Since society awoke, in the main, from its enforced slumber, we’ve been busy making up for lost time. We’ve bolstered our reporting team, welcoming Alex Bartlett (pictured) into the Shimbun squad, launched a new website and YouTube channel and arranged a busy calendar of class visits and interviews.

Some of the fruits of this labour can be found in the pages that follow and we hope you find the mix of club news, expert insights (pages 40-43 and 50-53) and star interviews (pages 24-27) as enjoyable to read as it was to produce for you.

However, consider our coronavirus lesson learnt. Issue 5 is hot on this magazine’s heels and with karate’s Olympic bow to come and a new season of Cobra Kai on the horizon, you are not going to want Shimbun absent from your lives. In the meantime, catch up on those editions you’ve missed, visit our website to subscribe and keep sharing your stories — we’re back and ready to share them. Let’s not leave it so long to catch up next time.

Andy Simms, editor

“WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AWARE OF HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO BE A PART OF GKR KARATE’S EXTENDED FAMILY – WE JUST NEVER THOUGHT WE’D BE DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON YOU.”

Grabbing life by the lapels: 3rd Kyu Aiden McConnell (Region 38, UK) strikes a pose for Issue #4’s cover shot. Ready to revel in the spotlight of your magazine?

Use the contact details below to share your suggestions and stories with the Shimbun team.

DEBUT

SHIMBUN £5 • $14.50 AUD

HEIR JORDAN

Meet the karateka intent on being crowned king

ON SONG

Inspirational instructor finds voice through training and teaching

ISSUE #4

UNBROKEN Cancer, Covid and crushed spinal discs: students share their remarkable returns

MIND OVER MUSCLE

Why brains are as important as brawn

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO MAKE THEIR MARK

Web: shimbunmag.com Email: shimbun@gkrkarate.com Tel: 01252 714870 Write: 10 Borelli Yard, Farnham, GU9 7NU Content © Debut 2020 • All rights reserved.

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

03

ISSUE #4•CONTENTS

06

24 40

IN THIS ISSUE

04

34

06 Bow in: Kancho Robert Sullivan

commends club’s resilience

28 Sensei says: Darren Taplin runs the rule

over a selection of Region 32 students

10 News: A round-up of action from across

GKR Karate’s international network

32 Unbroken: Sensei Greg Brown shares his

battle back to fitness

14 Making the grade: A salute to some of

those who have recently swapped belts

34 Vic-torious: How karate helped Tom

find his commanding voice

24 Heir Jordan: Meet the Team GB

karateka aiming to be crowned king

38 Parental guidance: Black belt credits his

loved ones with triumphant return

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

54

38

28 40 Calm Runnings: Bobsleigh star on why

keeping your cool is vital to success

50 Mind over muscle: Former Olympian

champions importance of mental agility

44 Boxing clever: Senior instructor

sharpens skills in the squared ring

54 Power plants: Karate chops but no pork

chops on Fisher family’s menu

48 Covid conqueror: Student shares her

story of kicking coronavirus into touch

58 Dojo dynasties: A salute to those who

live together and train together Issue #4

SHIMBUN

05

BOW IN•KANCHO ROBERT SULLIVAN

‘I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH THIS MAGICAL ART’ I WANT to say a big hello to all GKR Karate students, families, branch sensei and senior instructors. From the outset I’d like to wish you all well and I hope that you’ve been able to navigate your way through this very difficult year, both health wise and also from a work or study perspective.

I don’t want to overly dwell on the issue of Covid-19 but it’s hard not to address our entire student body in the first Shimbun edition after lockdown without acknowledging what we’ve been through as a club.

Everybody’s life since March 2020 has been affected in some way, none more so than those who became ill with the virus (pages 48-49) or lost loved ones. Any difficulties we experienced as a club pale into insignificance when compared to loss of life, so anything I share with you about our club’s troubles throughout this time automatically acknowledge this.

That said, I remember thinking in those first few days in late March/early April that I had been cast in a zombie apocalypse, end-oftimes movie, with people prepping for the worst and sparking a rush on toilet paper, canned foods and water.

As far as our club was concerned, I won’t lie that I was very concerned when our dojos worldwide were closed down, virtually overnight. This had obviously never happened before, and nobody ever thought it would. Like many clubs, organisations or small businesses, we had to quickly put our heads together to see what we could do to stay engaged with the thousands of GKR students from around the world. No-one really knew how long we’d be locked down but like many people, we hoped for the best but prepared for the worst.

Myself and my senior team of instructors didn’t sleep much for those first couple of weeks as we scrambled to create online content and user-friendly digital platforms that would allow our students to at least keep their training routines up from home.

My Assistant Chief Instructor Shihan Gavin Samin worked tirelessly with our tech team and all of the senior instructors to devise a plan for us to stay connected with everyone during our enforced isolation. At the same time, Shihan Anthony Ryan virtually lived at one of our full-time centres in Sydney, filming 06

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

karate videos by day and editing by night.

Within weeks, we had more than 400 Zoom classes (pages 9-11) running worldwide on a weekly basis, which made the home-training experience that little bit closer to actually being in the dojo.

From everything I’ve heard, these classes were a real hit and I’d like to thank all of the branch instructors who put their hand up during that time to teach Zoom classes from their own homes.

The workload that everyone achieved during that first month or two was incredible and I hope that a large percentage of our students found what we produced online to be beneficial, and helped them stay active throughout what was a very stressful period of isolation for many.

Aside from the names I’ve already mentioned, I’d also like to acknowledge our UK National Director Sensei Bob McCracken and his team of senior Zone Directors, Sensei Dan Freer, Ryan Marvin, Karl Hughes and Leke Prenga. Our Australian/New Zealand team of Sensei Alex Pereda, Antonie de Bruin, Ashley Fleming, Brett Vanderwiel, Mark Case, Jason Knight, Luke Carruthers and Peter Durrant.

Lastly, our behind the scenes champions such as Phil Bennet, Stafford Pascoe, Emma Horton, Simon Kane, Rebecca Webb, Francis Fenlon, and many others, all contributed to ensuring that our karate club would still be alive and well when the cloud of Covid lifted. I

“FOR MANY, WE’VE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GAIN MOST OF THOSE THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED BACK, AND HOPEFULLY THE NEAR FUTURE WILL SEE THE REST RETURNED TO US.”

apologise if I’ve left anyone out or if it sounds like the list of “thank yous” you hear at an awards ceremony, but they all really stepped up and kept it together. An awesome effort!

If there was anything positive to come out of this whole ordeal from the perspective of us as karateka, it was just how much training we can be doing at home.

I personally have always supplemented my dojo training with home training and in fact I increased the frequency of this during lockdown. In addition to the 700 hits on my makiwara that I routinely do each day, I practiced all my kata about five times a week, averaging about 20 kata per session.

I could see from all the Zoom class photos posted on Facebook that many of you did the same or similar. That’s an A+ for self-discipline.

Beyond the karate home training, I was constantly heartened by the stories from many of you who kept in contact with your fellow GKR karateka during this crazy time. For many, this provided comfort and helped minimise the feelings of isolation and uncertainty. Since day one in 1984, GKR has always placed emphasis and priority on developing genuine friendships through karate training.

After the worldwide lockdowns, we all hoped things would return to normal. For many, we’ve been fortunate enough to gain most of those things we take for granted back, and hopefully the near future will see the rest returned to us; such as international travel so I can see you all in person once again, and even give you a physical handshake or hug.

Our Victorian family (in Australia) was not so fortunate. After a brief period of freedom, they were hit with a second wave of infection that resulted in a second lockdown lasting 110 days. This was an incredibly difficult time for them and GKR did what we could to keep their physical and mental spirits alive. The great news is that they have come out of this now and so far the signs are incredibly positive. Just as Victoria came out of lockdown, we received word that our English family would be going into a second spell. Our thoughts are with them and we hope the designated four weeks is enough to significantly quell the spread.

A dedicated karateka now for more than 56 years, my karate journey has been far more than just kicking and punching. Like

yours, my personal life has involved many highs and lows. Most of you will be aware of some of these lows, such as enduring multiple treatments and surgeries for lifethreatening cancer. What I found is that during the “highs”, karate was there to keep me grounded and centred. And during the “lows”, karate was there to lift my spirits, my mental fortitude and of course keep my body healthy. I share this with you because I honestly don’t know what the rest of 2020 holds. At its worse there could be more lockdowns and at best, a promising vaccine will reach its final stages of testing. We really don’t know. What I do know, however, is that GKR is always going to be there for you, whether it’s in the dojo or your living room. I truly subscribe to the belief that during these hard times, karate is invaluable, with countless benefits for your body, mind and spirit. Karate certainly is “fitness with a purpose” and I for one am still in love with this magical art!

I also want to thank Andy Simms for his dedication to this club magazine and I encourage you to support his efforts to bring us closer together in a spirit of camaraderie.

I wish you the very best, and when our borders re-open, I’ll be on a plane to visit you all again.

Hopefully soon!

In the spirit of Karate-Do, Robert (Kancho)

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

07

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE Want to be among the first to read issue #5 of Shimbun or got some catching up to do? Subscriptions and back copies are available now from our website www.shimbunmag.com Subscriptions will see readers sent five successive issues of GKR’s official magazine direct to their doors for the price of... £20 GBP $62 AUD $45 USD $66 NZD WWW.SHIMBUNMAG.COM

NEWS• COVID-19

DIGITAL DIVIDEND

How venturing into the virtual helped progress during the pandemic WHEN the coronavirus pandemic delivered a knock-out blow to the world of sport earlier this year, GKR Karate was quick to dust itself off and set up an online dojo.

A remote respite from lockdown, the hi-tech training tool provided an environment in which students could continue to progress and excel from the safety of their own homes.

Among those to benefit from the club’s digital offering was Wendy Promois, who first pulled on a gi in 2018 after a series of health issues and failed slimming routines led to her undergoing weight-loss surgery and shedding 60kgs.

“Karate is not just a sport for me, it has been my lifeline,” the soon-to-be 48-year-old told Shimbun, explaining how training has proved an enduring source of motivation to exercise since being directed to the doors of a traditional dojo by a friend.

“I was hooked after the first class I attended at Preston under Sensei Thomas Austen and Sensei Nick Tsivourakis.”

The theatre nurse at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne quickly found her feet on the mats, grading within a couple of months and getting an early taste for tournaments. Her competitive debut was rewarded with a bronze medal in kata and she went on to contest a series of open events.

However, all of this positive momentum came to a sudden stop in April, when — like many other regions in Australia, New Zealand and the UK — the state of Victoria was forced into lockdown. Denied her usual martial arts fix, Wendy was quick to line up in the online dojo but concedes she found the transition to remote learning difficult.

“I missed the social interaction and the instant feedback — I also struggled with internet glitching, which left me frustrated,” she said.

After briefly experimenting with a few classes, Wendy decided to log off in favour of waiting for a return to in-person training. However, when a dramatic rise in Covid-19 cases in Melbourne resulted in renewed restrictions, the healthcare worker vowed to give virtual sessions a second shot.

“The thought of losing access to the thing I loved the most prompted me to return to the online dojo,” Wendy continued.

“This time I decided to not compare it to the actual dojo, but to make the most of the advantages it had to offer. I accepted the internet issues and I used the playback videos to refine my technique. Before I knew it I was doing three to four classes a week and with every session I could feel that I was improving.”

Wendy’s perseverance and the increase in frequency of her training, which was helped by the convenience of not having

to travel to classes, was duly rewarded with a red belt.

The advancement, fittingly achieved online, marked a milestone moment for the dedicated karateka.

“It was probably my hardest grading so far as I couldn’t hide at the back; every technique was visible,” the 4th Kyu added.

“I patiently waited for my belt to arrive in the post and when it did I put my gi on and donned my new belt in record time.”

While proud to now wear red, Wendy believes the biggest benefit of her remote learning experience was her exposure to a wealth of instructors.

“Each new sensei taught me something new,” she concluded. “It has really aided my development.

“I am not sure where I would be if I hadn’t made the decision to give the online dojo another go.

The path I took has enriched my karate journey and helped me to grow through adversity.”

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

09

NEWS• COVID-19

DISTANCE LEARNING PAYS DIVIDENDS

I

N AN age where we all lead such busy lives, 2020’s societal lockdowns came as a shock to the system. For those not on the front-line of the fight against Covid-19, life was largely put on pause. No work, no school and no karate classes.

While some moped and moaned, others put the unexpected gift of time to good use — be it learning a new skill or finally tackling long put off jobs around the home.

Many also used the measures to curb the coronavirus pandemic to kick on with their karate. Students who would usually train two or three times a week began doing so daily, refining their speed, power, technique and knowledge. Home dojos were set up, fitness programmes were created and GKR Karate’s online classes opened up the opportunity to train with instructors from around the world.

Here are a handful of your club-mates’ experiences of lockdown...

1. Sarah-Jane Korbely, R25, Wolverhampton, UK Being locked down didn’t stop my family from progressing in karate. In fact, it had the opposite effect. Thomas (33), Riley (8) and Holly (7) created an outdoor dojo for themselves and trained hard every single day — sometimes twice a day! All three of them were rewarded for their efforts, successfully grading via Zoom.

2. Kulbinder Singh, R24, UK When you are forced into lockdown, it’s easy to be lazy, but it’s also easy to be productive.

I chose the latter. Firstly, I built myself a home dojo to give myself a special karate space. I had been thinking of doing this for some time anyway. I actually did karate every day of the week. I trained a lot via Zoom classes as well as trained to countless Online Dojo videos and I also volunteered to teach some Zoom classes.

Missing out on Japan this year was a big disappointment but the Okinawa masters’ seminars scratched my Japanese itch and seminars by Kancho Sullivan, Shihan Anthony and Sensei Bob McCracken were also a great substitute. I’m back in the dojo at Smethwick Dorothy Parkes now, but still Zooming and going live from the dojo for students who can’t get there to train. Well done GKR for keeping us going through these dark times.

3. Noelene Woo, R4, Sydney, Australia The wonderfully unique thing about lockdown

10

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

karate was that I was able to train online with so many GKR karateka from other regions.

It definitely helped me stay focused and motivated to continue my journey during these unprecedented times, not to mention it was a pleasure to make many new karate friends along the way.

4. Ann Eyes, R21, Wellington, New Zealand During the Covid nationwide lockdown in New Zealand, I approached my first Zoom class with apprehension and excitement, and it went something like this... Car out of garage, camera check, ‘can I be seen?’, ‘can I be heard?’, sign in — nearly always a mission with me but help was on hand. Talking to a camera turned out to be more fun than I had imagined. Was this different from the dojo?

Oh, yes. The main difference was not hearing responses from the students due to the mute button and of course looking at the small pictures on my screen. We kept our class format in that we split the class between the three of us who normally teach in the dojo. This turned out to be fun for us and the students. Overall teaching on Zoom was an enjoyable experience and feedback from our students was positive. GKR came up with an amazing programme to keep our students training, to keep them positive and to keep in touch over a very unstable time.

5. Alicia Ryan, R3, Sydney, Australia Lockdown was certainly no impediment on my karate because I actually got back into karate after a 12-year break. I started with GKR back in 2003 and trained until 2008. Lockdown was the catalyst to get back into training. I did almost every Zoom class on offer. Once actual dojos reopened, I went back to classes and even senior training. I have even graded to 1st Kyu, lost nine kilograms and my fitness and health are so much better.

6. Yvonne Cooke, R30, Nottingham, UK I was determined not to let lockdown hinder my karate progress. I actually set myself a goal to do 100 hours of training via Zoom. I achieved and exceeded that goal. Having to rearrange my furniture each time I wanted to train didn’t deter me. I had great fun training with many different instructors and developed a better understanding of katas, definitely increased my flexibility and dropped a dress size too! A huge thank you to Sensei Karl and the fantastic team of online instructors — Sensei Amy, Sally, Pete and Stuart.

7. Amy Sutch, R25, Gold Coast, Australia When lockdown started I was gutted that karate stopped. As soon as I heard about the Online Dojo, I signed up. I really enjoyed the pre-recorded classes — especially Shihan Anthony’s karatercise which had great music to get moving to. Then the Zoom classes began and I started training with my local region a few times a week, working with what little space I had in the spare room. I then realised Zoom provided an opportunity to train with different instructors so I messaged Sensei Dave from Region 2 in the UK and was welcomed into their classes too. The fitness classes he did daily, as well as Sensei Andy’s sessions, were great and between both regions I was managing two-to-three classes a day, fiveto-six days a week. Thanks to those classes and changing my awful diet, I managed to lose the eight kilograms I’d put on at the start of lockdown and improved my health — both physical and mental — immensely. I made some new friends on the other side of the world and hope to train with them in person one day.

8. Karen Pearson, R10, West Yorkshire, UK I enjoyed being able to carry on with my karate during lockdown. I loved being able to train with instructors from both my region and other regions as well as getting to meet new people. I had the great opportunity to train with two Okinawa masters as well as seminars with Kancho Robert Sullivan, Shihan Anthony Ryan and Sensei Bob McCracken. The kata classes with Sensei Karl Hughes were of great help in breaking them down. I also enjoyed doing the videos online and learnt two new higher-grade kata from the videos. Finally, I won a silver medal in the online tournament ran by Sensei Karl Hughes.

9. Florian Pean, R11, Brisbane, Australia Lockdowns didn’t just stop my regular dojo training, it also prevented GKR’s 2020 Okinawa Experience. I had attended the 2018 Okinawa Experience and loved training with GKR folk from all over the world. I had also formed a great relationship with Damian Adams, Solomon Adams and Emma Young. As they lived in Newcastle, England, I obviously hadn’t been able to train with them for two years. When Zoom classes started, one of the sessions I attended was Newcastle! Suddenly I was able to train with my UK friends.

10. Kerry Saloner, R1, Sydney, Australia In addition to pre-recorded and live Zoom

classes, Region 1 held a fantastic online kata tournament with a range of brilliant entries from new and experienced karateka in a number of age and grade divisions. We could choose our venue with specific filming rules applying. Judging was also a positive learning experience as written feedback was required and this requires skill, vocabulary and knowledge to articulate. It was a great way to stay connected and inspired. You can see from my photo that I chose to perform my kata in front of Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge.

11. Jo Martin, R35, Kent, UK I am a Shodan-Ho and have three children aged

14, 11 and 10. I work as a teaching assistant but had to isolate in March due to an illness with Covid symptoms. Straight after this we were put into lockdown. Two of my children have autism and I home schooled and supported all three of them throughout lockdown. Wine became my evening treat until I started training on Zoom. My world got brighter as I started training all around the country and world.

I was training every evening after a day of home schooling. I started training on Zoom with my region and then messaged a nearby region, Guildford. They welcomed me and I had so much fun training with new people. I then started messaging regional managers all

over the country. I trained with many different regions, instructors and zone directors and joined in the Okinawa seminars. I even trained with Sensei Jan in Australia during the halfterm holidays! Karate became my evening treat and my children adapted to mummy training every night — my son actually telling me what time and what region I was training with each day. I had to take unpaid leave from work to look after my children, which was financially and emotionally very challenging and I can honestly say that GKR Karate kept me going.

I’m now back at work and still training when I can. I have made many new friends and my karate and fitness have improved. Thank you.

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

11

THE 100 plus students from Australia, New Zealand and the UK who had expected to train alongside some of Okinawa’s top masters this summer were not the only ones to have their plans to visit the birthplace of karate scuppered by Covid-19.

Known for its broad beaches, tropical climate and coral reefs, the collection of more than 150 islands in the East China Sea is usually sought out by thousands of international tourists each year and the impact of travel bans was consequently felt keenly. Heavily reliant on tourism but denied the usual steady stream of visitors, hotels, shops, restaurants and tourist attractions in Okinawa were left fighting for their survival.

Among the venues impacted were two with strong links to our club — the world-famous Dojo Bar and the Karate Museum.

The former has long been a popular haunt for karateka of all styles to meet for a meal and drink and previous GKR Okinawa Experiences have ensured it is jam-packed.

The bar is run by karate master Kancho

Picture: Sen Lee on Unsplash

SEMINARS SUPPORT MISSED MASTERS

NEWS•OKINAWA James Pankiewicz (pictured below left), who plays a pivotal role in connecting Western visitors with the other esteemed martial arts practitioners living on the island.

The latter, which features hundreds of items of memorabilia, is owned and operated by 10th Dan Master, Tetsuhiro Hokama Sensei (pictured right).

Unable to visit, GKR Karate rallied to the aid of its friends in need — and venues treasured globally by karateka — by hosting two online seminars and dedicating all proceeds to them.

The first took place saw Kancho James Pankiewicz enthral students with an insight into Matsubayashi-Ryu and the second showed why Goju 10th Dan Hokama Sensei is one of the most renown karateka on the planet.

Shihan Anthony Ryan, GKR’s international director of coaching, told Shimbun: “Beyond benefiting from incredible instruction, we were thrilled that we had in excess of 735

attendees for these online sessions.

“The club would like to offer sincere thanks to all those who took part because the seminars generated much-needed funds which have helped two karate masters.”

SMITH SLIP UP THIS may be issue 4 of the newlook Shimbun, but your editorial team are still finding their feet and prone to the odd mistake.

Unfortunately for the Smith family (Chadwell Heath, Region 12), such a mis-step saw them miss out on a mention in our Making the Grade section last time around.

Unforgivable on our part but also incredibly foolish given mum Tracy, dad Mark and siblings Chloe and Kane all boast black belts!

We’ve made sure not to make the same mistake again (see pages 14-23) and hope the Smith clan don’t hold a grudge and can forgive us.

12

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

No screw Lightweight portable equipment Premium Quality Modular Promo code „Shimbun“ for 20% discount

kalukan.com

NEWS•MUSIC

‘HIT’ PARADE BE IT a preferred track to train to, serene song to settle nerves ahead of a grading or adrenalin-pumping anthem to get you psyched for a tournament showdown, every karateka has a go-to-tune.

Which is why the team at Shimbun HQ were keen to hear the beat that puts a spring in your feet and invited sensei and students to share their favourite musical melodies with the masses.

From blasting ballads to calming choruses, we were inundated with responses but 20 of your tunes struck the right note and made it into our inaugural GKR Karate playlist.

So without further ado, sit back, hit shuffle and savour your club-mates’ selections...

Fight Song, Rachel Platten — nominated by Abby Potter Hammer to Fall (Headbangers mix), Queen — nominated by Geoffrey Sables I Gotta Feeling, The Black Eyed Peas — nominated by Sam Mc Mein Herz Brennt, Rammstein — nominated by Jack Morgan Eye of the Tiger, Survivor — nominated by Andrew Graham The Dam Busters March, Eric Coates — nominated by Chrissy Davies Tyrants, Catfish and the Bottlemen — nominated by Bill Stevenson

Bad Blood, Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar — nominated by Alex Duncan Lose Yourself, Eminem — nominated by Renae Freeman

— nominated by Grant Smith

Titanium, David Guetta featuring Sia — nominated by Kerry Saloner

Rock the World, The Script — nominated by Emma Young

Thunderstruck, ACDC — nominated by Carl Barclay Rogers and John Annison

Heart’s on Fire, John Cafferty — nominated by Jake Malcolm

The Day is my Enemy, Prodigy — nominated by Yvonne Cooke

Rebel Yell, Billy Idol — nominated by Harry Simms

Whatever it Takes, Imagine Dragons — nominated by Dean George

Till I Collapse, Eminem — nominated by Gypsy Rose

2 Minutes to Midnight, Iron Maiden — nominated by Matthew Tucker

Reptilia, The Strokes — nominated by Solomon Adams

Foot tappers or off-key offerings? Got a favourite you’d rather see featured? Email your nominations to shimbun@gkrkarate.com for a chance to chart in issue #5.

Psychosocial, Slipknot

Shard End at the sharp end of fundraising WHEN it comes to fundraising, individuals and groups seeking sponsorship to complete an array of high-adrenaline feats has become commonplace.

However, sensei and students from Shard End Dojo (Region 24, UK) adopted a very different approach in a bid to collect cash for Macmillan Cancer Support last year.

Indeed, there was nothing hairraising about the way in which the Midlands-based martial artists amassed a significant

sum for their chosen charity, which provides emotional, physical and financial support to those living with cancer.

Several of the Shard End karateka volunteered to brave the shave and had their locks lopped off in return for donations from friends and family. Sensei Barry Peers, Carl Sullivan, Sensei Dean Delaney and Sam Smith were among those to spar with – and lose hair to – the barber’s clippers and their fundraising efforts

were further bolstered by a kickathon, which was led by Sensei Dominic Peers and completed by everyone who trains at the dojo.

Near-neighbours Kingshurst also contributed to the charitable campaign, with Sensei Alison Kelly providing the proverbial icing by arranging a cake sale.

The dojos’ dedication to helping others paid dividends and raised an impressive £680 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

13

NEWS•GRADINGS

MAKING THE GRADE

From Aaliyah to Zoe, Shimbun salutes a few of those students who have recently taken another major stride in their GKR Karate journey Aaliyah Bello, 5th Kyu, Koonawarra, Region 17 (31/5/20) Aarav Roy, 3rd Kyu, Wellingborough, Region 33 (26/1/20) Abby Gordon, Shodan-Ho, Region 24 (12/19) Adam Hinton, 3rd Kyu, Region 31 (27/9/20) Addisyn Williams, 5th Kyu, Region 7 (3/20) Aditya Dora, 7th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Agam Dave Metha, 8th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20)

Aarav Roy

Abby Gordon

Aidan Cassidy, 6th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Aiden Booth, 5th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Aila Gul, 8th Kyu, Shard End (11/19) Al Bukuya, 6th Kyu, Region 8 (9/2/20) Alex Bartolo, 6th Kyu, Seven Hills, Region 2 (3/20)

Abbington Aces

Alfie Ind, 7th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19)

Aila Gul

Alfie Mills, 7th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Alice Fish, 6th Kyu, Charford, Region 24 (26/1/20) Allen Noble, 5th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Allen Noble, 4th Kyu, Region 34 (5/7/20) Amine Naili, 8th Kyu, Charford, Region 24 (26/1/20)

Al Bukuya

Alex Bartolo

Amy Davies, 6th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Anastasija Tubinyte, 8th Kyu, Shard End (11/19) Anayaa Hussain, 8th Kyu, Shard End (11/19) Andrew Goscomb, 5th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Angelique Fenlon, Shodan-Ho, Region 14 (30/11/19) Ania Sadowska, 5th Kyu, Region 34 (27/9/20) Anita Ferguson, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19)

14

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

Alice Fish

Amine Naili

Anita Ferguson, 6th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (5/7/20) Anna Wojechowska, 8th Kyu, Region 33 (22/12/19) Anthony Kaspryzcki, 5th Kyu, Region 2 (12/19) Anton Nawala, 6th Kyu, Crowthorne, Region 37 (8/12/19) Archie Fisher, 4th Kyu, Stevenage, Region 20 (22/12/19) Asher Marume, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Art Finlay, Shodan-Ho, Region 14 (30/11/19)

Anayaa Hussain

Angelique Fenlon

Arya Bhattari, 8th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20) Arya Dora, 7th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Ashley Harrison Brown, 8th Kyu, Region 33 (26/1/20) Athrun Smith, 6th Kyu, Vincentia, Region 17 (31/5/20) Ava Bailey, 6th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Bailey Sutherland, 3rd Kyu, Region 7 (8/3/20)

Art Finlay

Ashley H Brown

Barry Peers, Shodan-Ho, Shard End (12/19) Ben Barnett, 7th Kyu, Cherrybrook, Region 2 (3/20) Ben Swain, 5th Kyu, Region 20 (27/9/20) Benjamin Aliyath, 6th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Brayton Wicklander, 2nd Kyu, Region 16 (11/10/20)

Caiomhe Delaney

Barry Peers

Brian Herbert, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Bridgett McConnell, 6th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Brodie Hackett, 8th Kyu, Koonawarra, Region 17 (31/5/20) Bronwyn Wheeler, 4th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Caiomhe Delaney, 6th Kyu, Shard End (11/19) Callum Quibell, 7th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19)

ls

Carly Wil

Cooper Laurie

Carly Wills, Shodan-Ho, Region 11 (24/11/19) Cassidy Rolfe-Yates, 3rd Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Catherine Derrick, Nidan, Region 49 (21/12/19) Chaise Scofield-Jones, 7th Kyu, Region 17 (31/5/20) Charlie Eastman, 1st Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Chay Hinton, 3rd Kyu, Region 31 (27/9/20)

Daniel and William

Darren and Libby

Chetan Deolia, 8th Kyu, Seven Hills, Region 2 (3/20) Chloe Rebecca Dyche, 6th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) Chloe Sandford, 7th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Chloe Smith, Shodan, Chadwell Heath, Region 12 (7/19) Issue #4

SHIMBUN

15

Chris Maddicks, 6th Kyu, Regions 32/24 (23/2/20) Christopher Kelly, 7th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Chrissy Davies, 3rd Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Connor Goor, 7th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Cooper Griffith, 3rd Kyu, Wanneroo, Region 13 (11/10/20) Cooper Laurie, 3rd Kyu, Eaglehawk, Region 26 (11/11/19) Cooper Williams, 7th Kyu, Region 7 (3/20) Craig Gilderdale, 8th Kyu, Lalor Park, Region 2 (11/10/20)

Dylan Deakin

Ella Gordon

Dakota Lumb, 8th Kyu, Kiama, Region 17 (31/5/20) Dan Ashby, Nidan, Region 49 (21/12/19) Daniel Fimowicz, 7th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Daniel Waton, 8th Kyu, Medway (2/20) Darren Collis, Shodan-Ho, Region 22 (21/12/19)

Gemma Clements

Geoff Sables

Darren Page, 8th Kyu, Region 26 (13/9/20) David Firtik, 6th Kyu, Bowral, Region 17 (31/5/20) Diya Patel, 8th Kyu, Doonside, Region 2 (10/20) Dylan Deakin, 5th Kyu, Region 22 (27/10/19) Elena Sladkova-Gannon, 6th Kyu, Region 20 (22/12/19) Ella Bartlett, Shodan-Ho, Region 38 (21/12/19)

Green Machines!

The Beestons

Ella Gordon, 1st Dan, Region 24 (12/19) Ellie Green, 8th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Emma Herbert, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Enrique Monses, 7th Kyu, Seven Hills, Region 2 (3/20) Eryk Nawala, 6th Kyu, Crowthorne, Region 37 (8/12/19)

s

The Hinton

Jack & Jessica

Ethan Brown, 7th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) Ethan Cook, 8th Kyu, Churchdown, Region 34 (5/7/20) Ewan McConnell, 6th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Fanna Pureau, 7th Kyu, Doonside, Region 2 (09/20) Fenella Madley, 7th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Fenella Madley, 6th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (27/9/20)

Jack Morgan

James Camey

Francis Nawala, 6th Kyu, Crowthorne, Region 37 (8/12/19) Gemma Clements, Shodan-Ho, Region 32 (21/12/19) Geoff Sables, 6th Kyu, Region 38 (23/2/20) Glen Foster, 7th Kyu, Abington, Region 33 (22/12/19)

16

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

Grace Shiu, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Gram Dunnohew, 6th Kyu, Moss Vale, Region 17 (31/5/20) Grant Harding, 8th Kyu, Port Kembla, Region 17 (31/5/20) Greg Brown, Shodan-Ho, Region 9 (11/12/19) Haiden Loveridge, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Hanif Margo, 5th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20) Harry Newton, 6th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Harry Newton, 5th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (23/8/20) Harry Radforth, 5th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19)

James Fulcher

James Sarfas

Harry Simms, 4th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Harry Wilson, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Harvey Simpson, 2nd Kyu, Bentley, Region 25 (26/1/20) Hasnain Rashid, 7th Kyu, Abington (1/20) Helen Beeston, Shodan-Ho, Region 25 (21/12/19) Helen Patterson, 5th Kyu, Region 9 (9/8/20)

Jenna Hill

John Hart

Henrietta Hudson, 7th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Holly Korbley, 6th Kyu (7/6/20) Holly Wood, 6th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) Humza Ali, 8th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Ian He, 8th Kyu, Region 20 (26/1/20)

Katherine Ratcliffe

Liam Menown

exi

Harry Simms

Isaac Williams, 4th Kyu, Region 34 (23/8/20) Isabella McGuire, 7th Kyu, Region 17 (31/5/20) Isabelle Adey, 6th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) Ishaan Tapre, 8th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20) Isla Hudd, 4th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Ismaeel Majid, 8th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19)

Linda & L

Ivy Osmond-Dreyer, 8th Kyu, Kiama, Region 17 (31/5/20) Ja-Bear Sione, 6th Kyu, Doonside, Region 2 (10/20) Jack Grew, Shodan, Tividale, Region 32 (21/12/19) Jack Morgan, Nidan, Region 33 (21/12/19) Jack Murphy, 8th Kyu, Corrimal, Region 17 (31/5/20) Jacob Ferriday, 7th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19)

Loki Sables

The Maddicks

Jacob Lockart, 3rd Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Jade Crane, 7th Kyu, Churchdown, Region 34 (27/9/20) Issue #4

SHIMBUN

17

Jake Mitchell, 8th Kyu, Freeling, Region 9 (11/10/20) James Camey, 2nd Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) James Fulcher, Shodan-Ho, Region 14 (30/11/19) James Ferguson, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) James Ferguson, 6th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (5/7/20) James Sarfas, 6th Kyu, Region 37 (27/9/20) James Sarfas, 5th Kyu, Region 37 (27/9/20) Janaya Donald-Hardes, 6th Kyu, Region 17 (31/5/20) Jeff Monie, 4th Kyu, Abington, Region 33 (22/12/19)

Mannat Mishra

Marshall Banting

Jenna Hill, 3rd Kyu, Region 30 (11/19) Jennie Dee, 8th Kyu, Koonawarra, Region 17 (31/5/20) Jensen Robinson, 8th Kyu, Region 18 (11/10/20) Jessica Grew, Shodan, Tividale, Region 32 (21/12/19) Jiya Mandnaar, 8th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20)

Melvin & Enrique

Joe Cox, 6th Kyu, Innsworth, Region 34 (23/8/20)

Mia-Louise Norton

Joel Little, 6th Kyu, Kiama, Region 17 (31/5/20) John Hart, Yodan, Region 14 (30/11/19) Jonathan Williams, 5th Kyu, Region 34 (23/8/20) Joseph McGuire, 7th Kyu, Region 17 (31/5/20) Joshua Kassim, 7th Kyu, Hawbush, Region 32 (11/10/20)

Michael & Ben

Michael Jenkin

Joshua Reason, 4th Kyu, Region 29 (11/10/20) Julianne Little, 4th Kyu, Kiama, Region 17 (31/5/20) Kai Durbauree, 7th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Kaisheng Zhu, 5th Kyu, Seven Hills, Region 2 (12/19) Kaleb Sinclair, 5th Kyu, Kiama, Region 17 (31/5/20) Kaleisha Townsend, 7th Kyu, Region 17 (31/5/20)

twood

es Michelle W

Migle Stasiukynaite

Kalleigh Ferguson, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Karen Dix, Shodan-Ho, Region 49 (21/12/19) Katarzyna Naish, 7th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) Kate Bailey, 6th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Katherine Ratcliffe, 3rd Kyu, Region 33 (26/1/20) Katie Collins, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Katy McGuire, 7th Kyu, Koonawarra, Region 17 (31/5/20) Kelly O’Rourke, 6th Kyu, Abington (1/20) 18

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

Mega Millwads

Mireya Deolia

Kheira Bishop-Amony, 8th Kyu, Shard End (2/20) Kody Beattie, 6th Kyu, Koonawarra, Region 17 (31/5/20) Korbin Maze, 7th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Kosay Morad, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Kyle Stevenson, 6th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) Lachlan Page, 8th Kyu, Region 26 (13/9/20) Laura Millward, 8th Kyu, Shard End (1/20)

Monique Rose

Laurie Cuthbert, 8th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20)

Morgan Grew

Lennix Ruby Shepherd, 7th Kyu, Torquay (13/9/20) Lewis Kelly, 6th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Lexi Sime, 5th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) Liam Fletcher, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Liam Menown, 8th Kyu, Cherrybrook, Region 2 (9/2/20)

Morgan Sharp

Muhammad Ali

Libby Connor, Yondan, Region 22 (21/12/19) Liesa Kirkwood, 3rd Kyu, Kiama, Region 17 (31/5/20) Lily Harris, 7th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Lily Roch, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Linda Calis, 4th Kyu, Kiama, Region 17 (31/5/20) Linda Drew, 5th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19)

Natalie Priest

Noah Bajada

Loki Sables, 6th Kyu, Region 38 (23/2/20) Loqiyana Margo, 5th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20) Lottie O’Liffe, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Lottie O’Liffe, 6th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (5/7/20) Louie Fletcher, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19)

in livia Durk

O

Olivia Rogers

Louis Wright, 6th Kyu, Crowthorne, Region 37 (8/12/19) Louise Redwood, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Lucia Osmond-Dreyer, 8th Kyu, Region 17 (31/5/20) Lucy Fisher, 8th Kyu, Stevenage, Region 20 (2/20) Lucy Porter, 7th Kyu, Churchdown, Region 34 (27/9/20) Lukan Pade, 4th Kyu, Seven Hills, Region 2 (12/19)

Orange glow

Orla and Ian

Luke Anderson, 4th Kyu, Region 34 (5/7/20) Luke Goscomb, 6th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Maciej Sadowski, 5th Kyu, Region 34 (27/9/20) Maisie Hibberd, 7th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Issue #4

SHIMBUN

19

Makaylia Carter, 4th Kyu, Bomaderry, Region 17 (31/5/20) Mannat Mishra, 8th Kyu, Doonside, Region 2 (10/20) Manus Kunwar, 7th Kyu, Doonside, Region 2 (10/20) Mark Smith, Shodan, Chadwell Heath, Region 12 (7/19) Marselene Crispino, 8th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20) Marshall Banting, Shodan-Ho, Region 33 (21/12/19) Martinis Nel, 1st Dan, Region 49 (21/12/19)

Patience Terry

Maryann Maddicks, 6th Kyu, Regions 32/24 (23/2/20)

River Asikainen

Matthew Beeston, Shodan, Region 25 (21/12/19) Matt Wicklander, 6th Kyu, Region 16 (11/10/20) Mauro Cantoni, 4th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Max McGuire, 7th Kyu, Koonawarra, Region 17 (31/5/20) May Bunting, 4th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19)

Paul Adele

Paul Jeffery

Melvin Monses, 7th Kyu, Seven Hills, Region 2 (3/20) Mia-Louise Norton, 2nd Kyu, Region 24 (12/19) Michael Jenkin, 6th Kyu, Cherrybrook, Region 2 (3/20) Michael Swain, 6th Kyu, Stevenage, Region 20 (2/20) Michael Swain, 5th Kyu, Stevenage, Region 20 (27/9/20) Michelle Westwood, 1st Kyu, Region 8 (8/12/19)

Paul Preston

Paul Rosenkranc

Migle Stasiukynaite, 8th Kyu, Region 24 (11/19) Mike Hibberd, 7th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Mireya Deolia, 8th Kyu, Seven Hills, Region 2 (3/20) Monique Rose, Shodan, Region 14 (30/11/19) Morgan Grew, 2nd Kyu, Tividale, Region 32 (21/12/19)

Powells

Rhys Jasmin

Morgan Sharp, 3rd Kyu, Stevenage, Region 20 (22/12/19) Muhammad Ali Mehdi Awan, 6th Kyu (8/2/20) Nafeh Mohammad, 5th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20) Nailah Margo, 5th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20) Natalie Priest, 7th Kyu, Deepcut, Region 38 (27/9/20) Natalie Waterstone, 8th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20)

Riley Patterson

Riley Shingle

Nella Sladkova-Gannon, 6th Kyu, Region 20 (22/12/19) Noah Bajada, 8th Kyu, Doonside, Region 2 (09/20) Noah Bowerman, 6th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) Oliver O’Shaughnessy, 4th Kyu, Region 34 (23/8/20)

20

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

Olivia Durkin, 1st Kyu, Region 25 (24/11/19) Olivia Rodrigez, 8th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20) Ollie Hibberd, 7th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Orla Mercer-Mars, 8th Kyu, Region 20 (26/1/20) Oskar Kalucki, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Patience Terry, 3rd Kyu, Region 29 (11/10/20) Paul Adele, Yodan, Region 14 (30/11/19) Paul Jeffery, Nidan, Region 14 (30/11/19) Paul Maze, 7th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20)

Ron Doherty

Ross Copland

Paul Pilsbury, 2nd Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Paul Preston, 6th Kyu, Smethwick (26/1/20) Paul Rosenkranc, Sandan, Region 14 (30/11/19) Paul Simpson, 6th Kyu, Bentley, Region 25 (26/1/20) Paul Simpson, 5th Kyu, Region 25 (7/6/20)

Sabrina Tate

Pete Clay, Shodan-Ho, Region 49 (21/12/19)

Samantha Jenkin

Phoenix Millward, 8th Kyu, Shard End (1/20) Pira Keohane, Shodan-Ho, Region 38 (21/12/19) Rachel Butler, 8th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20) Rajneesh Dora, 7th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Rares Peter, 6th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19)

Sandeep Kanihama

Sarah Wynell-Mayow

Rebecca Smith, 6th Kyu, Vincentia, Region 17 (31/5/20) Rhys Jasmin, 8th Kyu, Doonside, Region 2 (09/20) Ridley Smart, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Riley Korbley, Region 25, 5th Kyu (7/6/20) Riley Patterson, 5th Kyu, Region 9 (9/8/20) Riley Shingle, 8th Kyu, Shard End (11/19)

ckragic

Sasha Ma

Seven Hills success

River Asikainen, 4th Kyu, Region 9 (8/12/19) Riya Bhattari, 8th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20) Ron Doherty, Shodan-Ho, Region 14 (30/11/19) Ross Copland, 1st Kyu, Marsden, Region 10 (9/8/20) Ruben Ihasz, 4th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Ruby Sherwood, 5th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19)

Sharan Vudayagiri

Shreya Vudayagiri

Ruby Sherwood, 4th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (5/7/20) Sabrina Tate, Shodan-Ho, Region 14 (30/11/19) Issue #4

SHIMBUN

21

Sai-Sushma Danthuluri, 7th Kyu, Region 34 (12/19) Sam Davies, 6th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Samantha Jenkin, 6th Kyu, Cherrybrook, Region 2 (3/20) Samantha Lintott, 8th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Samidha Roy, 7th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Samuel Bailey, 6th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19) Sammy Little, 6th Kyu, Kiama, Region 17 (31/5/20) Samuel McGuire, 7th Kyu, Region 17 (31/5/20) Sandeep Kanihama, 8th Kyu, Auckland (11/10/20)

The Smiths

Sladkova-Gannons

Sarah Wynell-Mayow, 6th Kyu, Region 49 (27/9/20) Sasha Mackragic, 8th Kyu, Doonside, Region 2 (10/20) Savanna Lumb, 8th Kyu, Kiama, Region 17 (31/5/20) Sean Foster, 7th Kyu, Abington, Region 33 (22/12/19) Shannon Crew, 2nd Kyu, Region 38 (12/19)

Sophie Hu

Stevenage stars

Storm Asikainen

Sylvia & Manus

Sharan Vudayagiri, 8th Kyu, Doonside, Region 2 (10/20) Shaun Smith, 3rd Kyu, Kiama, Region 17 (31/5/20) Shavin Sivakumar, 7th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20) Shayan Patel, 6th Kyu, Crowthorne, Region 37 (8/12/19) Shreya Vudayagiri, 8th Kyu, Doonside, Region 2 (09/20) Shyanne Millward, 8th Kyu, Shard End (1/20) Sky Lataster, 8th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20) Sophie Hu, 8th Kyu, Cherrybrook, Region 2 (3/20) Soraya Kirk-Torresan, 8th Kyu, Kiama, Region 17 (31/5/20) Spencer Brown, 7th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) Storm Asikainen, Shodan-Ho, Region 9 (11/12/19) Suzanne Blaga, 2nd Kyu, Seven Hills, Region 2 (12/19)

se

Taylor-Ro

Tonia Gibbs

Sylvia Kunwar, 7th Kyu, Doonside, Region 2 (10/20) Tallulah Byrne, 8th Kyu, Stevenage, Region 20 (22/12/19) Taralee Adams, 7th Kyu, Vincentia, Region 17 (31/5/20) Taylor-Rose Figueira, 1st Kyu, Seven Hills (09/20) Thomas Hewer, 7th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20) Thomas O’Shaughnessy, 7th Kyu, Region 34 (12/19) Thomas Radforth, 5th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Tia Malcolm, 4th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) 22

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

Tristan Chappel

Vicki Asikainen

Tj Achilles, 8th Kyu, Corrimal, Region 17 (31/5/20) Toby Ansell, 8th Kyu, Churchdown, Region 34 (27/9/20) Tom Cox, 6th Kyu, Innsworth, Region 34 (23/8/20) Tom Gandhi, 7th Kyu, Innsworth, Region 34 (27/9/20) Tom Huggins, 1st Kyu, Region 34 (5/7/20) Tom Humphrey, 5th Kyu, Region 38 (12/19) Tom Korbley, 5th Kyu, Region 25 (7/6/20) Tonia Gibbs, 6th Kyu, Region 24 (22/12/19) Tracy Smith, Shodan, Chadwell Heath, Region 12 (7/19) Tristan Chappel, Shodan, Region 14 (30/11/19) Tristen Charles, 6th Kyu, Stevenage, Region 20 (2/20) Vanessa Uden, 6th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) Vicki Asikainen, 2nd Kyu, Region 9 (12/12/19) Victoria Alexander, Shodan, Region 25 (11/19) Victoria Lambe, 8th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) Vihaan Bejgam, 6th Kyu, Region 3 (2/20) Vinisha Patel, 6th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (1/20)

Victoria Lambe

Vithia Kantharoopan

Vithia Kantharoopan, 6th Kyu, Region 2 (10/20) Vivan Shah, 8th Kyu, Doonside, Region 2 (09/20) Wayne Naish Jnr, 7th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) Wayne Palmer, 6th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) William Snart, 6th Kyu, Region 25 (22/11/19) William Watson, 8th Kyu, Medway (2/20)

Vivan Shah

Wellingborough stars

Xavier Ram, 8th Kyu, Narellan (11/10/20) Zack Eastman, 6th Kyu, Gloucester, Region 34 (12/19)

The Williams

Wicklanders

m

Xavier Ra

Victoria Alexander Issue #4

SHIMBUN

23

INTERVIEW •JORDAN THOMAS

HEIR

JORDAN Meet the karateka intent on being crowned king in Tokyo

S

UCCESS breeds success is a phrase often quoted in sporting circles, but in the case of Jordan Thomas the much-coined mantra is difficult to dismiss. The Luton-born athlete was raised surrounded by former world beaters in a golden era of British karate. His father William won gold at the 1992 World Championships — a title also once held by his godfather — and he is now coached by Paul Newby, the man he succeeded in 2016 as Britain’s last world champion.

However, it takes more than just strong genes and good company to make it to the top and, despite seemingly destined for sporting stardom from an early age, Jordan has had to fight hard to follow in the footsteps of his mentors.

Hit by a car outside of his childhood home at the age of two, his parents were told by doctors that the leg break he sustained was so severe that he would never walk again.

“It has been a tough road,” Jordan told Shimbun, reflecting on a martial arts journey that began — aged just four — in 1996. “Thankfully the doctors were wrong and I took up gymnastics to help regain flexibility in my legs following the accident. After that, and having a dad who is a former world champion, it was natural for me to get into karate.”

True to his heritage, Jordan made rapid progress through the sport’s ranks but found the financial commitments of elite-level karate a formidable opponent.

Bereft of backing from UK Sport, a hardship ironically not endured by his father’s generation, he was forced to juggle a series of part-time jobs with the physical demands of training and tournaments.

24

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

“BEFORE THE WORLD TITLES AND THE ACCOLADES I HAD TO WORK TO FUND MY KARATE CAREER... BUT THE ONLY REASON I PUT THE MONEY IN WAS BECAUSE I BELIEVED IN MYSELF.” Issue #4

SHIMBUN

25

Stints as a children’s party leader, sports centre assistant and personal trainer all found their way onto the karateka’s CV as he dug deep into his own pockets to meet the cost of flights to competitions.

“Before the world titles and the accolades I had to work to fund my karate career,” explained the 28-year-old. “I was spending all the money I earned on the sport that I loved, but the only reason I put the money in was because I believed in myself and trusted that I would get something out of it.”

Such was the financial strain on young shoulders that credit cards rather than kumite were at the forefront of his mind on the eve of his finest hour to date.

However, rather than resign himself — and his national teammates — to further fiscal struggle, the self-styled “real-life Karate Kid” used his money woes as a catalyst to kick on.

“The night before the World Championship Final in 2016, I got an email to say that the payment for my phone bill had been declined,” Jordan explained. “I went to my roommate at the time, Jamal Otto, and said ‘I have to win this one tomorrow’.”

Buoyed by the motivation of a careerchanging fight, Jordan defeated Hungarian Yves Martial Tadissi in Linz, Austria to bring home the title. His victory — the first British success at world-level since Paul Newby’s triumph 12 years earlier — marked the beginning of a new era.

The newly-crowned champion followed-up his Austrian adventure with a silver at the World Games in 2017 and, with the prospect of Olympic success suddenly within reach, UK Sport committed to funding Team GB’s karateka in their quest for Games glory.

Jordan, who hopes to compete in the 67kg class in Tokyo next year, added: “Support is very important in sport and I am so lucky to now be National Lottery-funded, which brings 26

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

“IF THIS IS YOUR PASSION AND WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO DO, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, AND FOLLOW IT THROUGH.”

the support network to me.

“I have Paul as my karate coach but on top of that I have a strength and conditioning coach, nutritionist, psychologist, lifestyle coach, media manager and physio. I have these support services to help me get to the Games, which is giving me the best opportunity to go and achieve my dreams.”

Much of Jordan’s preparation for Japan is taking place at the National Taekwondo Centre in Manchester – a facility famed for producing double Olympic gold medallist Jade Jones.

Leaving a similar legacy for the next generation of British karateka is high on Jordan’s agenda.

“I always say that I have got to invest in myself to then give back to others,” he said.

“Doing the best I can helps the pathway for others to come through and now we have funding there is that opportunity.

“All I can do is focus on the Olympics – qualifying and trying to win a gold medal.

Hopefully that leads others to follow.”

As with thousands of other Olympians-inwaiting, Jordan’s dream of showcasing his skills on sports’ grandest stage has been deferred by the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw the Games postponed from this summer to next.

And although impatient for his shot at a place on the podium, the 2014 European champion believes a delayed trip to Tokyo may ultimately work in his favour.

“From a personal perspective, the Games getting put back a year has actually been quite good,” he said.

“I will be 29 by the time the Games now

come along, which means I will be at my physical peak.

“It has given me a chance to get rid of all of my niggles, and to change as a fighter. It has also given me a chance to look back at some of the things we have got right and wrong in the run up to the Games.

“I have been working every day since I have known that karate was going to be in the Olympics. I watched the Games on television growing up so to stand on the number one spot at the biggest event in the universe would be incredible.

“It is very important as a sport that we get to showcase what we can do and give the public a taster of what karate is about.

“It is crucial that all of us go and put on a show because it could be our last chance.”

While Jordan’s immediate focus is on getting to Tokyo, the potential heir to karate’s top throne is mindful he will one day have to abdicate.

For those seeking to claim the crown, Jordan offered the following words of wisdom: “If this is your passion and what you really want to do, believe in yourself, and follow it through, because there is no point putting 50 per cent in. You have to go all in and sacrifice everything.”

Success can breed success, and while Jordan boasts a rich karate bloodline, his fight for silverware is proof that the past endeavours of others are no substitute for personal investment in the dojo.

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

27

28

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

SENSEI SAYS A master of the art, Reading stalwart Sensei Darren Taplin has been bringing enthusiasm, energy and experience to Region 32, UK for five years. The talented tutor gave Shimbun the lowdown on a selection of his Woodley Warriors...

2nd Kyu JOHN SIMPKINS

7th Kyu AYUSH TILIJA PUN

The senior member of the dojo’s Simpkins clan leads by example.

Having recently returned from injury, John remains as determined as ever. His passion for karate is shared by his children.

A long-standing member of the dojo and absolute pleasure to teach, Ayush is focused, pushes himself hard and learns quickly.

His commitment to progressing is to be commended.

SHODAN-HO GARY BROOKER

4th Kyu KIERON WILLIAMS

One of the original Woodley dojo students, Gary is always willing to offer advice and help others. He is an extremely dedicated karateka and very rarely misses out on an opportunity to train.

An incredibly polite young man, Kieron is a Woodley mainstay.

His etiquette is exquisite and he sets the bar high for all those who train alongside him. Kieron has the attitude and aptitude to progress.

1st Kyu CHARLIE SIMPKINS

SHODAN-HO GEORGE WINSPER

Charlie’s enthusiasm and passion mean he is a delight to have in the class. A giant for his age, the 12-year-old will make an excellent example of a black belt in the near future.

Training hard for his 1st Dan, George shows dedication beyond his years. He is a tremendous young man who is rapidly improving and destined for big things in the future.

Do you want Shimbun to shine a spotlight on your dojo? Email the editorial team at shimbun@gkrkarate.com and let’s get a date in the diary!

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

29

CLUB TOGETHER AND SAVE WITH A SHIMBUN DOJO DEAL 10 copies for the price of 8 OR 15 copies for the price of 11 £40 GBP $76 AUD $52 USD $80 NZD

Pre-order Issue #5 or come back for more of four... shimbun@gkrkarate.com

WWW.SHIMBUNMAG.COM

£55 GBP $105 AUD $72 USD $110 NZD

1st Kyu BILL MIDDLETON

8th Kyu CHARLOTTE HEARSEY

Shodan-Ho MATTHEW STEVENS

3rd Kyu JESS WERNHAM

Sidelined for 12 months following surgery on a leg, Bill remained in close contact with his club mates throughout his recovery. Now back fighting fit, he has his eyes fixed on turning brown to black.

New to the class but what Charlotte lacks in experience she more than makes up for with enthusiasm. She always brings a smile to training, is a keen learner and is rapidly improving.

Matthew has shown courage and confidence since first entering the dojo and is flourishing in his training to be a junior sensei. He has all the skills to go on to be a hugely-successful instructor.

A role model to the class, Sempai Jess has shown dedication and commitment throughout her climb through the ranks. Supportive to all students, but not one to be underestimated in the dojo!

8th Kyu SIDD GAUTAM

7th Kyu LEANNE LE PRETRE

6th Kyu JACOB TROTMAN

VITALIY KHUTORYANSKIY

The youngest member of the class, Sidd has been putting smiles on faces since he first stepped into the dojo aged five. His enthusiasm is infectious and he will go on to be an excellent karateka.

Shy at first, Leanne has grown steadily in confidence and is now completely at ease in the dojo.

She is enthusiastic, trains like a superstar and is making awesome progress with her karate.

When Jacob focuses on his karate he works incredibly hard. He has trained at the dojo for a long time and if he continues to progress will soon be swapping his green belt for blue.

A professor at the University of Reading, Vitaliy spends time giving lectures but in the dojo his passion to learn is second-tonone. He is humble and welcomes advice to better himself.

Shodan-Ho DAVID MAY

4th Kyu BETH SIMPKINS

5th Kyu OLIVER WINSPER

8th Kyu TRACY TROTMAN

A senior member of the dojo and highly-competent karateka, David is making excellent progress on refining his katas as he looks to make the transition to 1st Dan in the near future.

A long-time member of Woodley dojo alongside brother Charlie and dad John, Beth is an absolute superstar with a bright future.

Determined and dedicated she is a pleasure to teach.

The younger Winsper sibling, Oliver is a delight to work with — always pushing himself and trying to learn more. A fast developer, he will one day be an awesome black belt and rival his brother.

Tracy sat on the sidelines watching her children train before recently taking the plunge and pulling on a gi. Her years as a spectator have served her well and she is progressing quickly.

1st Kyu

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

31

INTERVIEW• GREG BROWN

UNBROKEN

Meet the Australian Serviceman who fought his way back to fitness following serious injury WHILE some may have winced at the very mention of dislocations and ripped muscles, last issue’s bow in (Sensei Jake Malcolm, Bouncing Back) encouraged many of you to share your stories of scrapes and scarring in a show of solidarity with those currently sidelined.

From torn tendons to broken bones, Shimbun HQ received a flurry of messages from those who have successfully returned to the dojo after recovering from serious injury but Sensei Greg Brown’s remarkable tale of recovery stood out like a proverbial sore thumb.

A freak fall during training in September 2018 led to the Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant striking his forehead on the floor — an impact that caused a whip-like action that crushed a spinal disc between two vertebrae in his neck.

With the ruptured disc compressing a nerve and pressing on his spinal cord, the Serviceman was left in excruciating pain and lost feeling in his left thumb and index finger. After months on medication, multiple MRI scans, numerous hospital appointments, physio sessions and cortisone injections, he finally went under the surgeon’s knife last February.

The operation — a spinal disc replacement — required a neurosurgeon to make an incision in Greg’s throat and move his airways and oesophagus in order to complete the complex procedure. Despite facing a lengthy rehabilitation post surgery, karate remained at the forefront of the then brown belt’s mind.

“Whilst lying in hospital, unable to move my head, I could have easily felt sorry for 32

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

myself, however, I started planning for my next grade — Shodan-Ho,” Greg told Shimbun. “I was aiming to grade in December, 10 months after my surgery, which was pretty ambitious considering I couldn’t move my head off the pillow. But as I had a few weeks of not being able to move up my sleeve I started planning every facet of my grading preparation — from how many classes I would participate in to the cardio I needed to do, what foods I would eat and how much weight I wanted to lose. I planned flexibility and resistance training, massages and even for the odd ‘off’ day.”

After six weeks of rest, the military man set about his plan and by mid-March had returned to light training in the dojo.

However, just as he was beginning to refind his karate feet they were swept away by the need for further surgery — this time to patch-up his Achilles. Undeterred by an additional three weeks of non-weight bearing on his ankle, Greg sought guidance

from Region 9’s senior instructors, Renshi Daniel Treganza and Sensei Shane Bennett, and adjusted his recovery plan accordingly.

In the six months before his grading the 43-year-old committed fully to achieving his goal, undertaking a

“I CLEARLY REMEMBER RENSHI DANIEL TELLING ME THAT AS SERIOUS AS MY INJURY WAS IT WOULD SOON BECOME ‘JUST A BLIP ON THE RADAR’ – HOW RIGHT HE WAS.”

Greg post surgery; Clockwise from above: -Ho with daughter celebrating his Shodan and flanked by Sensei Hayley and wife Jacqui; iel Tregenza and Dan shi Ren , Shane Bennett er’s grading.

Sensei Ed Nio at Decemb

rigorous training routine which included morning cardio, weight conditioning, hill sprints, running 5.5km three times a week and countless karate classes.

“This period was tough,” he confessed.

“I clearly remember setting two-minute cardio goals while using a cross-trainer and focusing on getting through the next 120 seconds, and then the next, until — drenched in sweat — I’d completed the 60-minute session. Hill running was very hard; my Achilles ached and my body hurt but I consistently told myself ‘get to the top and you get the belt’.”

Greg’s perseverance paid off.

On December 11 he successfully graded to Shodan-Ho, a feat that seemed fantastical 10 months previously.

“As important as getting my black belt was, the most significant outcome was my recovery,” Greg said. “Having a clearly

defined goal made the process seem more obtainable and provided a push when I needed it. I clearly remember Renshi Daniel telling me that as serious as my injury was it would soon become ‘just a blip on the radar’ — and how right he was.”

With Greg’s blip fast fading, the instructor urged others to adopt a positive outlook in the event of unexpected physical setbacks.

“Injuries need not change your mental strength and approach to recovery and training,” he concluded. “Have a recovery plan and work that plan; set big goals and work towards them by breaking down major objectives into smaller, bite-size pieces. Be flexible in your approach and challenge your recovery process — the human body is a wonderful things and loves to be pushed!”

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

33

34

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

INTERVIEW•TOM COLWILL

VIC-TORIOUS

Inspirational instructor Tom Colwill tells Shimbun how he found his commanding voice

C

OURAGE comes in many forms, but it is a characteristic Sensei Tom Colwill has in abundance.

Shimbun recently watched from the sidelines as he guided a busy GKR Karate class through self-defence drills and an advanced kata and bunkai.

His instruction was word perfect and delivered confidently to a dojo full of engaged students. It was an assured performance that even the most accomplished of public speakers would be proud of.

Not bad for a “big lad” who, as a schoolboy, was the subject of barbed words, bullying and prejudice because of his stammer.

Diagnosed at an early age with mild Asperger’s syndrome, the Region 38 (UK) instructor concedes that he struggled to find his feet — and voice — during his formative years before discovering martial arts as an 11-year-old.

“The moment I stepped into the dojo I was hooked because the sensei I had was so patient with me and knew I couldn’t pick stuff up as fast as others,” Tom said of his introduction to karate in 2005.

“He went through everything until I

“MOST OF MY TEACHERS SEEMED TO HAVE DECIDED THAT I WASN’T GOING TO AMOUNT TO MUCH, WHEREAS AT THE CLUB I WAS GIVEN THE GUIDANCE I NEEDED.” eventually got it, and that was something I had never experienced before.

“At school most of my teachers had already seemed to have decided that I wasn’t going to amount to much, whereas at the club I was given the guidance I needed and I had found something that I was actually good at.

“When I was younger, I had a very bad temper but karate gave me the discipline to work through things and control my emotions.

“I was suddenly more comfortable, able to deal with my stammer and had more confidence in myself.”

A renewed sense of worth was not the only reward of Tom’s early efforts in a gi. The black belt credits karate classes with a means of positively channelling the heartache of losing his beloved 12-year-old sister, Victoria, to type 1 diabetes in 2003.

The 1st Dan, who is also diabetic, said: “I Issue #4

SHIMBUN

35

am not going to lie, you don’t ever get over something like that. You have to learn to live with it. She was two years older than me and my big sister — I miss her daily.

“We were like any other brother and sister — we used to bicker but if ever I had a problem she would have my back.

“She is always in my thoughts when I succeed in karate as she was very sporty and played football.

“When I was working towards my Shodan-Ho and 1st Dan, Victoria was at the forefront of my mind.”

Spurred on by the memory of his sister, the 26-year-old achieved his ambition of becoming a black belt in 2017 but cites the thrill of passing on his expertise to the nextgeneration of keen karateka as the highlight of his sporting journey.

Already a role model to fellow classmates, Tom began the junior sempai programme as a 2nd Kyu and — after a tentative start — has shone ever since.

“When I first started I found speaking in public very hard,” he explained. “Coming out

06

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

“WE WERE LIKE ANY BROTHER AND SISTER – WE USED TO BICKER BUT IF EVER I HAD A PROBLEM SHE WOULD HAVE MY BACK.” the front and not having somebody else to rely on was such a big challenge for me.

“I had to get through it myself and after a while I slowly got more comfortable because it was more or less the same students every week and I just relaxed into it.

“Being an instructor has given me the confidence to interact with complete strangers and see how they learn and how they interpret what I am telling them.”

Tom’s dedication to training his students paid off in 2019 when he was awarded most improved instructor of the year in Region 38.

Reflecting on the honour, he said: “I wasn’t expecting it.

“Sensei Asmat [Nadiry] has been pushing us to improve ourselves because for our students to get better, we have to get better.

“I enjoy being a sensei and I am constantly learning — it helps me with my ailments and gives me a positive outlook everyday.”

This positivity has seen Tom put his skills to

the test at tournaments and added a raft of regional medals to his kitbag.

And although national and international silverware has so far eluded him, he champions the experience of competing.

“I started entering the tournaments to show the training I had done and what my instructors had taught me,” he added. “I have never been fussed about the medals — it is all a learning experience. I try to take those lessons back to the dojo and the feedback you are given from competing is so valuable.”

With his sights now firmly set on attaining 2nd Dan and an ever-growing number of enthusiastic students to steer along their karate journeys, Tom concedes he has

“IF SOMEONE TOLD MY FIVE- TO 11-YEAROLD SELF WHAT I WOULD GO ON TO DO, I WOULDN’T HAVE BELIEVED THEM.”

surprised himself with his progress in the dojo.

“If someone told my five- to 11-year-old self what I would go on to do, I wouldn’t have believed them,” he concluded. “I am so proud of myself, I never thought I was going to get this far and be teaching 20-30 students per class. I thought it was impossible and it makes me feel immensely gratified.

“I am in karate for the long haul. There are always ups and downs but I am still loving it.”

Whatever Tom’s karate future holds, his voice is already a source of reassurance, guidance and authority for many karateka. A big brother figure to many, Victoria would certainly be incredibly proud of the man her little brother has become.

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

37

INTERVIEW•DEAN GEORGE

PARENTAL GUIDANCE How becoming a father, and losing his own, led Dean George to staging a stunning karate comeback

F

AMILY has always been at the forefront during the defining moments of Dean George’s GKR Karate career. As a teenager, it was the Newcastle-born black belt’s parents who continually encouraged him to make the most of his talent — providing the emotional, logistical and financial support necessary to see him train and compete nationally and internationally.

And, in late 2015, it was impending fatherhood that convinced the then-Nidan to take an extended break from the dojo.

Picture: Jon Tyson on Unsplash

38

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

“When my partner fell pregnant it was time to concentrate on family,” the 28-year-old told Shimbun. “After the arrival of my little girl I knew that it would be difficult to get to training every other night or even once a week, so I put karate on hold.”

Inevitably, Dean’s loved ones were also pivotal to his return to the martial arts mats.

A year after the delight of the birth of his daughter Lily-Rose in 2016, he experienced the heartache of losing his father.

“Before he died, dad had made it clear he wanted me to get back to karate,” Dean explained. “My parents have always been my biggest champions and when I was younger they used to keep me motivated if ever I had a down day — they’d set me goals and dedicated so much time and money to allow me to travel all over the country for training and tournaments.

“Dad wanted me to do something with my talent and that’s why I came back.”

Determined to deliver tournament success as a tribute to his father, Dean brought an end to his hiatus from karate in December 2017 and set about sharpening his skills and shedding the three stone of excess weight he had acquired while away from the dojo.

His vow to add to his previous medal haul was quickly realised. Qualifying for the finals of the UK championships in 2018, Dean won bronze in both kumite and kata, but — sporting a trimmer waistline and having fine-tuned his technique — was not yet ready to declare his comeback complete.

“Before the nationals mum told me that if I did my best but didn’t come away with anything then I would still have done dad proud,” the Sandan added.

“However, having put in a lot of extra training and kept my weight down, I wanted more.”

“MY PARENTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MY BIGGEST CHAMPIONS AND WHEN I WAS YOUNGER THEY USED TO KEEP ME MOTIVATED IF EVER I HAD A DOWN DAY.” Which is what he got, and in some style, at last summer’s World Cup in Milton Keynes.

Dean finished the tournament — his fifth appearance in the international showpiece — with a full complement of medals, winning bronze in the individual kumite, silver in team kata and gold in team kumite.

“It was great to help Great Britain to those team medals but the individual bronze means the most because it was all down to me and came in an incredibly strong field,” said Dean, whose previous four World Cup outings were bereft of honours.

“I was so pleased to have got something back and those medals were for my dad.”

Dean, pictured at the 2019 World Cup (above and centre), added to his comeback haul at the 2019 UK Championships (left), winning silver in the senior men’s kata competition.

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

39

INTERVIEW•LAMIN DEEN

Double Olympian drives home the importance of dismissing doubt

A

S ALL those who have stuttered midway through a kata or held back from being bold in a kumite bout will testify, self-doubt can be a dangerous ally in sport — and life. Whether it prevents a student from asking for feedback from an instructor or simply tempers an individual’s ambitions, it can be a barrier to brilliance.

An unnecessary delay in reacting can often be the difference between medalling or a flawed performance for a karateka, but for bobsleigh pilot Lamin Deen the stakes are considerably higher.

The two-time British Olympian can illafford to let uncertainty cloud his judgement, given his decision-making takes place in the confines of an unforgiving ice track and at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour. A moment of self-doubt at the controls of a four-man sled can literally have a huge impact.

“I have crashed a few times in my career, as every driver has,” Lamin, who competed at both the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi and the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, told Shimbun.

“It happens when you are trying to push the limit for every hundredth of a second and when you do crash, it is undoubtedly your fault as the driver. There is a lot of responsibility.

“I have had guys who have broken bones and been out of action for whole seasons; there is no such thing as a nice crash in bobsleigh.

But when you are dealing with split-second decisions — whether it’s driving or pushing a bobsleigh or facing an opponent in karate — you can’t have doubt in your mind.”

While taking assured action when faced with the possibility of physical pain is counterintuitive to most, Lamin believes military training has helped to instil him with the ice-cool composure needed to compete at the elite level of winter sports.

A soldier before slider, the Grenadier Guard completed operational tours of Bosnia and Kosovo, and experienced the heat of

40

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland, ahead of climbing into the cockpit of a bobsleigh for the first time.

“In the military you have to be ready for anything, so the Army has definitely helped me cope with the fear factor of bobsleigh,” said the lance sergeant, who was on duty at the Queen Mother’s funeral in 2002. “It has given me resolve at the top of a really challenging track, which is where most would normally feel nervous.

“In the Army you get taught to take a second, think and react. While others are going mad you need to keep calm and focus on the job that you have to do.”

Lamin was quick to stress, however, that military service is no short-cut to sporting success. The London-born athlete, who made headlines in November 2017 by clocking 97mph — the then-highest speed ever recorded by a bobsleigh — at a World Cup race in Whistler, is a firm believer that the mental steel needed to make it to the top can

Picture: International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation

CALM

RUNNINGS

be attained through hard graft.

“You have to be very disciplined and progress is about training your mind as much as it is your body,” the 39-year-old added.

“The most important lesson I have learnt from all my years in sport is the power of the mind.

If you believe, your body will follow.

“You have to dedicate a lot mentally to training because you have to have focus and concentration to thrive.”

Lamin knows more than most that sport throws up unwanted distractions regardless of

“IF YOU BELIEVE, YOUR BODY WILL FOLLOW.”

the level at which you compete.

Reflecting on his Olympic bow in Russia, where he guided Team GB’s crew to 19th in his favoured four-man event and 23rd in the twoman competition, the veteran of seven World Championships cautioned those karateka targeting gold in Tokyo next summer to focus firmly on their performance (pages 24-27).

The former sprinter, whose bobsleigh career began in 2007 after being talent-spotted while competing in the 200m final of an Army inter-unit athletics competition, said: “You Issue #4

SHIMBUN

41

Ride e

swings and roundabouts

Discover how build resilience and bounce back from e ugh times Give it a try day at www.mymindpal.com

Picture: International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation

need to get used to the atmosphere quickly because it can throw you off your game. There is so much celebration that comes with the opening ceremony and being in the Olympic village that it is quite easy to get overwhelmed.”

It is advice that the former boxer and basketballer fully intends to adhere to when he goes for Games glory for a third time at the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022. Still smarting from the disappointment of finishing 18th in South Korea, an Olympics which had looked to be full of promise for Lamin and his crewmates Ben Simons, Toby Olubi and Andrew

Matthews following their historic World Cup silver win during the preceding season, the Team GB bobsleigh captain is set on marking his hat-trick in style.

“This time around, with two Olympics under my belt, the ceremony and everything else that comes with being at a Games isn’t going to affect me,” he vowed. “I am not going to collect the kit, I am not going to make up the numbers and get a tick for being at the Olympics. It’s all about the results for me now.”

And having recruited a squad that includes the incredible pace of former European sprint champion James Dasaolu, the second fastest British athlete of all time, Lamin will arrive at the start line in China free from any doubts about his team’s potential.

“The biggest tip I would offer to anyone trying to make it at the elite level of sport is to know yourself and know your own head because you can be your biggest enemy,” he concluded. “Don’t talk yourself out of success.”

“THE BIGGEST TIP I WOULD OFFER TO ANYONE TRYING TO MAKE IT AT THE ELITE LEVEL OF SPORT IS TO KNOW YOURSELF AND KNOW YOUR OWN HEAD BECAUSE YOU CAN BE YOUR BIGGEST ENEMY.” Issue #4

SHIMBUN

43

44

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

INTERVIEW •KARL HUGHES

BOXING CLEVER

Tale of the tape: Senior instructor Karl Hughes on sharpening fitness in the squared ring

A

LTHOUGH 2020 has proved itself to be the undisputed champion of the unexpected, for those who have sparred with Sensei Karl Hughes, 2019 was not without its significant surprises. Few familiar with the skills in the 4th Dan black belt’s locker would have guessed he would finish the year as a GKR Karate world champion and having contested a charity boxing match.

That is not to question the 42-year-old’s toughness, talent or technical ability, which he possesses in spades — just ask anyone who has stood opposite him for partner work or kumite before.

Nor was the shock factor down to any doubts over his in-depth knowledge of tournament techniques; GKR’s zone director for the north of England has, after all, coached a slew of students to national and international glory.

So why was Karl’s return to the competitive ring such a revelation? Because of his favoured form.

“EVEN WHEN THE ACHES AND PAINS AND DODGY KNEES KICKED IN, I HAD A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP GOING.”

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

45

06

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

“ONCE I GET IN FRONT OF A CLASS WITH MY GI ON NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.” Karate wears many caps, from sport and dojo kumite to realistic combat training and while Karl teaches all three, his passion lies firmly in the latter.

An avid researcher of bunkai — the analysis of effective, and often “dirty”, techniques found in kata — it could be argued that Karl’s greatest rival is his own expertise.

Fighting an opponent is one thing, but to do so fighting your own instincts is a formidable feat. Competing in codes in which twisting necks, locking arms, grabbing, kneeing and throwing deliver a disqualification rather than points represents a break from the norm for Karl.

The lure, however, of a GKR Karate World Cup on home soil proved too hard for the popular instructor to resist and he set about shaping up for the showpiece event.

“I needed to get myself fit and lose some weight,” Karl told Shimbun, acknowledging that countless hours behind the wheel had seen his personal training take a temporary back seat. “I had spent a lot of time the previous year doing lots of teaching and clocking up lots of miles doing so. I was having to eat on the go and by Christmas had put on a few pounds.”

When an opportunity to take part in an amateur boxing bout to raise money for Cancer Research UK, a cause close to his family’s heart, joined the World Cup on the horizon, the sensei — conscious of the need to prepare for two distinct disciplines — took the decision to supplement his time in the dojo with sessions at a kickboxing club in his home city of Nottingham.

“The target to get into shape for the World Cup gave me the extra motivation to train and eat healthily,” he added. “I decided to put it all out there publicly to hold myself accountable.

So even when the aches and pains and dodgy knees kicked in, I had a sense of responsibility to keep going.”

Complemented by the refinements he worked on in the dojo, Karl’s extra time in the gym paid dividends on the mats of Milton Keynes. Lining up 12 kilograms lighter than he had been at the start of 2019, he impressed everyone on his first World Cup appearance in 15 years — winning kata gold and kumite bronze in the 35-44 men’s black belt competition.

Describing his double haul as a feather in his cap, the sensei added: “I didn’t feel under any added pressure being a senior instructor.

“In my mind I was there as a competitor and

didn’t feel as if I had anything to prove. I really wanted to win for me but if I hadn’t come away with a medal it wouldn’t have bothered me because that is competition. That is sport.”

A veteran of arranging the UK national championships and as one of the principal organisational brains behind the World Cup, Karl insists he took as much delight from watching events in Milton Keynes unfold as he did his own performance.

“It was so satisfying on the weekend to see everything fall into place — from the planning of the setting up right through to the Open finals on the Sunday afternoon, with the lights down,” he said. “There is a massive sense of pride in seeing so many people from Australia and competitors from all over the country come together and knowing that you played a part in such an event.”

The gold medallist, however, did not give himself long to revel in the success of the World Cup. Although Karl’s kickboxing foray had delivered in the fitness stakes, the fledgling fighter remained keen to put some of his new-found skills to the test and turned his attention to the charity white-collar boxing bout.

A few months later, Karl climbed through the ropes for a three-round contest against a 30-year-old “Anthony Joshua lookalike”.

“I found it so difficult because you have all your karate weapons taken away, apart from punching,” explained the benevolent sensei, who raised £1,500 for his chosen charity and was awarded a trophy for being the night’s biggest fundraiser.

“You can’t really block, trap and hold someone. You can’t grab them and knee or elbow them, you can’t kick them in the leg — it is almost like trying to fix a car with only one item out of a toolbox.

“I had never fought in a boxing match before while my opponent was an experienced boxer with the physique of an athlete. In retrospect, I spent too much of the bout trying not to get hit rather than hitting back.”

Despite the decision not going his way, Karl has no regrets about his brief brush with boxing and knows it will ultimately enrich his and others’ karate.

“I really love my job at GKR because I love teaching,” he concluded. “No matter how I feel and no matter what kind of day I have had, once I get in front of a class with my gi on nothing else matters. I love pouring out everything that I know to people and seeing them improve and exploring new ideas.”

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

47

INTERVIEW•DAWN BEVAN

COVID CONQUEROR Kicking cancer and coronavirus into touch – a remarkable karateka shares her survivor’s story

D

AWN Bevan is a living demonstration that there is plenty of truth in the old adage that “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger”.

Having battled through a course of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2018, the 65-year-old karateka certainly seems to have developed some armour with which to fight adversity.

Left susceptible to Covid-19’s cruel touch by her previous condition, the grandmother was given just a 15 per cent chance of survival after falling seriously ill with coronavirus, being rushed to hospital and put into a medically-induced coma in March.

“Initially they put me on a CPAP [continuous positive airway pressure] machine, which was just horrific; it was claustrophobic, it sucks your face and forces oxygen into your lungs,” an emotional Dawn told Shimbun.

“The last thing I recall was going to sleep, and after that I don’t remember anything for six weeks. I didn’t know what was going on, every drug you can imagine was in me trying to keep me going. They paralyse you first and then they start your body up again, but it [the success of the treatment] depends on if your body wants to get started again. I didn’t let cancer get me so why the hell was I going to let Covid get me? There was no way I was going to let it beat me.”

The Region 20 student continued: “It was a tough journey, but I think it was tougher for Lucy, my daughter, because she was watching it all. I didn’t fear for my life because I was out of it for so long, but my family was watching me slowly fading away. Each time Lucy spoke with the doctors she told them ‘don’t give up on my mum — she is strong, she is tough’.”

With social-distancing and infection control measures preventing family from being by Dawn’s mother’s bedside, contact — thanks to supporting staff at Lister Hospital in Stevenage, Hertfordshire — came via onesided FaceTime calls.

Lucy, who trains alongside her mum, husband and son in Region 20 (pages 54-57), said: “Although I hear mum now saying it went on for eight weeks, it felt like a lot longer than that for me.

48

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

“I DIDN’T LET CANCER GET ME SO WHY THE HELL WAS I GOING TO LET COVID GET ME?”

“Every waking minute of every day I was wishing her better and every time I spoke to the doctors on the phone the news seemed to get worse and worse.”

With her condition deteriorating, doctors were forced to put Dawn on a ventilator to support her breathing, but although the virus continued to pack a punch, the yellow belt refused to submit and finally there was some cause for optimism.

“When I came out of the coma, I thought I had been kidnapped by Oompa Loompas, there were all these people in masks and I had no idea where I was,” recalled Dawn of the moment she awoke from her coma.

“I was just a body in a bed — my legs, muscles and nerves had all been shot to pieces. I thought to myself ‘I have got to get out of here’ and so I asked for physio to help my recovery.”

Driven by a desire to return to loved ones and the dojo, the next stage of Dawn’s recovery had begun and within eight days — to the surprise of her doctors and nurses — she was walking the wards.

“The consultant said to me ‘it is your lifestyle that has got you here, the fact that you are vegan, eat healthily and do karate’,” the sexagenarian, who switched to a plant-based diet five years ago, added. “Lucy used to bring me vegan food because the hospital food was not going to get me out of there.

“The consultant came around a week later, whipped the curtain back and couldn’t believe that I was still there and wasn’t looking like someone dying in a bed.

“They thought it would take me 12 to 18 months to get back on track, but I wasn’t waiting 12 months, I wanted to get back on track there and then.”

After eight weeks on a ward, however, the drama was not yet over. Four days after returning to her Hitchin home she was readmitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia. Characteristically, it was a hurdle the former house renovator took in her stride.

“There were lots of setbacks, but it was just a case of let’s get this going,” Dawn said.

“I needed to get back to doing karate. I did a Zoom lesson, which was good and gave me the confidence that I could lift my arms,

because my limbs were so weak they used to shake. After that, I needed to get to a class and prove to myself that I could still do it.”

Which is exactly what she did when Covid-19 restrictions were eased in England during the summer months.

“When I returned to the dojo, it was like I hadn’t been away,” she added.

“My sensei were so laid back about it, they said to me I could sit out whenever I wanted, even though they knew that I was not going to just sit there.

“It was the best thing I did, the absolute best thing I did because now I have got the bug all over again.”

Spurred on by the support of the region’s sensei — “Geoff, Kyle, Harvey and Jake” — Dawn completed a full class in just her second session back.

“I wasn’t going to do a bit and then sit out, I needed to prove to myself that I could do the whole hour. I got home and I was exhausted, but I had such a rise in me it was amazing “I have always been a very strong and positive person. I love a challenge and Covid was another challenge in the journey. But the biggest hurdle for me was to get back into karate and show myself and my family that all this motivation they gave me wasn’t put to waste.”

Dawn credits her dogged approach to returning to karate to her family’s infectious enthusiasm for the sport — having followed their lead and taken up the martial art in 2019.

And while the devoted parent and grandparent’s next dojo milestone seems relatively modest given all that she has been through during a roller-coaster couple of years, Dawn is adamant her next Kyu means the world to her.

“I am due my orange belt and that is what I am aiming for,” she concluded.

“It will be another challenge to get there, and then another to get the next one.

“I just want to prove to myself that I can do it. I don’t know how much longer I have got on this Earth, so I just want to make the most of it and do what I can.

“If you sit back and let the world go by and don’t motivate yourself, nobody is going to do it for you.”

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

49

MIND OVER MUSCLE

From Olympic rings to creating circles of trust, skier-turned-sports scientist Jason Sklenar focuses on the mind’s marginal gains Picture: Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash 50

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

PRO ZONE •JASON SKLENAR

W

HETHER kata or kumite, the perceived pressures of delivering a polished performance at a tournament or grading have caused many karateka to buckle. Being capable of producing clinical combinations and near-perfect patterns time after time in training, only to falter when it matters most, is an all-to-familiar frustration.

It is a sporting conundrum not confined to the dojo — with many elite athletes suffering similar bouts of performance anxiety — but is one that can be addressed, according to Jason Sklenar.

The head of sport and exercise science at the New Zealand Institute of Sport believes the key to unlocking optimum performance under pressure is learning to master the psychological aspect of competition.

“Once you get in between someone’s ears and work out what’s important, you can lift their performance, and exponentially so compared with what you can do physically,” the former Team GB biathlete-turned-sports science guru told Shimbun.

“Physiological adaptions can take a minimum six to eight weeks to see something measurable but from a psychological perspective you can give someone a couple of sessions in a week and change their outlook and performance.”

Jason’s own grey matter has been well exercised since his retirement from international competition.

The two-time winter Olympian studied sports science at the University of Bath, before tackling a Masters in sport and nutrition at Oxford Brookes.

He exported his expertise to the Southern Hemisphere in 2016, moving with his family to New Zealand, where he is tasked with passing on his extensive knowledge to the next generation of Kiwi superstars.

The former military engineer, who began competing in biathlon following a British Army exercise in northern Norway, said: “When it comes to physical training there is so much information out there, so it is fairly unlikely you will find ways to massively improve performance against other athletes at the top level.

“Of course, everyone will have different methods, so you might be able to make a small gain, but the bigger gains physiologically will probably just come down to genetics and being able to handle more training stress than someone else.

“This is where mental approach comes into its own. Whatever sport you do, it is super

“WHATEVER SPORT YOU DO, IT IS SUPER IMPORTANT TO GET THE PSYCHOLOGY AND MENTAL PREPARATION RIGHT.”

important to get the psychology and mental preparation right.”

Jason’s guidance to New Zealand’s emerging elite covers a multitude of subjects, predominantly focusing on nutrition, leadership and psychological skills training.

And it is the latter of the three which has become central to his teaching, having personally experienced the burden external pressures can have on sporting performance.

The Brit, who raced at the 1992 Albertville Winter Games and the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, said: “One of the biggest challenges I had was performance anxiety and not being able to control it.

“We had a lot of sports psychologists come and work with us, and many of them were very focused on finding your individual processes to help bring the anxiety down. There is no guarantee a technique that worked for me would work for all of my students.”

Competing in a sport which combines the Issue #4

SHIMBUN

51

“IT IS QUITE INTERESTING HEARING YOUNG ATHLETES TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY CAN LIFT AND PUSH, WHICH IS GOOD, BUT I TELL THEM THEY NEED TO WORK ON THE SKILL IN BETWEEN THEIR EARS IF THEY WANT TO SEE SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT.” extreme physical exertions of cross-country skiing with precision shooting, Jason found solace in a theory presented by one of his favourite Hollywood films.

“One of the things I had, and it is one I use with some of my students now, is the ring of trust. I got the idea from the movie Meet the Fockers and developed it over my career in coaching. I used to have this mental hula hoop in my head, and I would throw that onto the shooting mat and that would be my circle of trust, a circle of confidence, and as soon as I stepped in there it was just me.

“There was no crowd and there were no external competitors. It is something you just have to practise over and over and over again, so that in a pressure situation you can use it.”

While the aspiring Olympians, professional rugby players and boxers in his current circle of trust require little encouragement to better themeselves, Jason said many of his apprentices still needed reminding of the importance of having mental resilience in their lockers.

The 50-year-old, who founded sports nutrition company Smarter Coaching Solutions in 2014, added: “It is quite interesting hearing young athletes nowadays talking about how much they can lift and push, which is good, 52

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

but I tell them they need to work on the skill in between their ears if they want to see substantial improvement.

“It is so important at the elite level that you dot all the I’s and cross all the T’s.

“There is so much focus on the smallest details but that can mean people often slip up on the basics. Have you got the right mental approach? Are you eating the right sort of stuff? Are you sleeping enough? Are you training correctly?

“Sport is a set of scales that you have to balance. I see a lot of young athletes who are focused on marginal gains, but they are then on their phones late at night and only getting six hours of sleep.

“As you get older, physical performance will naturally drop off but that is the best thing about the mental side of sport, there is theoretically no upper age limit to it. You can always improve.”

Citing his own career on skis as an example of how mental maturity can enhance an athlete’s chances of success — be it on the slopes or in the dojo — the Wellington resident added: “My Olympic journey taught me a lot of lessons. I was a little bit naive at my first Games — I was 22 and had only been doing biathlon for a short time.

“I was super excited and blown over to be at the Games, but it then took me another ten years to get back there.

“A lot of that was because I didn’t have the psychological knowledge that I do now.

“The second time I was able to appreciate it a lot more. I learnt a lot from the two failures [of not qualifying], and it enabled me to create a back-up plan. Sport is relentless so it is crucial to have a fallback.”

Jason’s safety net proved to be his studies, which he pursured after failing to win a berth at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan and set up the opportunity to return to Team GB colours as coach and manager of the British Biathlion Union.

“I think your perception changes as your role changes,” he concluded. “You will do anything to get there, you will sacrifice your career, your money, your relationships — whatever it is, but it wasn’t until I moved away from the racing to coaching that I realised that the hardest bit about competing is having the self-motivation to get there.

“You will have good days and bad days, but you just need to push through.

“You have got to give it 100 per cent and you can’t compromise on that. If you don’t give it your all, you have let yourself down.”

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

07

POWER PLANTS

Why karate chops and not pork chops are the order of the day for the Fisher family...

06

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

BOW OUT• VEGANISM

W

ITH the global Veganuary movement having recently welcomed its one millionth participant, it is little surprise that plant-based dishes are becoming an increasingly common sight on restaurant menus and family dining tables.

Lockdowns have undoubtedly contributed to the growing appetite to ditch dairy and pass on pork, with many households cooking from scratch and paying closer attention to what goes into their meals and mouths.

There are, of course, plenty of others sticking with steak and those who feel so passionately about doing so that they’ve developed a vegan vendetta — taking every opportunity to condemn herbivores as being weak and malnourished.

Such criticism is rubbished by the Fisher family, whose nourishing narrative demonstrates you don’t have to ‘beef up’ to be physically fit for the challenges of the dojo and daily life.

Lucy, the owner of plant-based cafe Chia Naturally Healthy in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, believes her son’s progress on Region 20’s mats demonstrates that superfoods — rather than sirloins — are key to developing super skills in the martial arts.

“Archie started GKR Karate three years ago and he has seen astronomical improvements; nobody can believe his age, all of the sensei forget that he is only nine because he has got this unbelievable focus and drive,” she told Shimbun. “Some kids are really hyped up on a lot of sugar but Archie has natural sugars,

“ARCHIE HAS NATURAL SUGARS, WHICH KEEP HIS BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS CONSTANT AND ALLOW HIM TO FOCUS FOR LONGER PERIODS.”

which keep his blood sugar levels constant and allow him to focus for longer periods.

“He is a big strong lad and that is on a plantbased diet, which shows that you don’t need meat to be strong.”

The gains from grains are not purely confined to delivering a focus and frame fit for karate, according to Lucy, who insists giving up dairy, meat and eggs can bring instant improvements to an individual’s physical and mental health.

The culinary queen, who — encouraged

by Archie’s early success — has since joined husband Dan and mother Dawn Bevan (pages 48-49) in a gi and turned training into a family affair, explained: “A plant-based diet is high in vitamins and minerals and low in cholesterol.

“It is so good for your gut, which has to work hard to process meat, and has been proven time and time again to be the healthiest diet humans can have.

“There are a lot of misconceptions that you need lots of protein and lots of dairy for calcium, but plants have lots of both, it is just that not all of us are educated in that way.”

The family found their vegan feet five years ago during a trip to Sydney, where they became temporary regulars of healthy-eating diner Nourished. Delighted by the dishes on offer Down Under, the seed for their own eatery was planted.

“The cafe in Australia wasn’t vegan, but we loved the fact the food was wholesome and we just lived in the cafe day and night,” explained Lucy, who had taken the decision to “go green” a year earlier. “I said to Dan while we were out there ‘when we get home, I am doing this, but it has got to be plant based’.”

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

55

True to her word, Lucy found an ideal location to launch the venture in the Fisher’s hometown of Hitchin and her plates quickly proved popular with the palates of the local population.

Of Chia Naturally Healthy’s success, the yellow belt said: “We had a choice of either closing because we were so busy or moving to a bigger premises, which is what we did a year and a half ago now, and it has just gone from strength to strength. I would say probably 60 percent of our customers aren’t vegan, but they love it — they try it for the first time and become regulars.”

For those carnivores not living close enough to be converted by her meat-free morsels, Lucy suggests digesting shows

such as What the Health and Forks Over Knives.

“What I recommend highly to people is to watch documentaries on veganism — it will give you all the information that you need and you will be switching to a plant-based diet just like that,” she concluded. “There are no negatives to a plant-based diet. You are helping the animals and not hurting any other beings when you don’t need to.

“You are helping your body and your health, but most of all you are helping our planet because it is the number one thing that can help reverse climate change, and we need a world for our kids to grow up in.”

“WATCH DOCUMENTARIES ON VEGANISM – IT WILL GIVE YOU ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED AND YOU’LL BE SWITCHING TO A PLANT-BASED DIET JUST LIKE THAT.”

56

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

SEED SOWN?

CHILLI-LOADED NACHOS Ingredients: l 2 large bags of tortilla chips

Tempted to try a slice of vegan life?

Lucy has provided a trio of recipes to help Shimbun readers put their tastebuds to the plant-based test.

l For salsa: 1/2 red onion; 1 stick of celery; 2 large beef tomatoes; 1/4 cucumber de-seeded

FITNESS FREAK SMOOTHIE l For chilli: tin of Kidney beans; tin of pinto beans; 1 chopped onion; 2 cans of tinned tomatoes; 2 tbsp tomato puree; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1 minced garlic clove; 1 thumb size piece of minced ginger; 1/2 tsp turmeric; olive oil; 1 tbsp bouillon; 1 bay leaf; coarsely chopped fresh coriander; 1 jar chipotle paste; 1 tsp brown sugar

Ingredients: l 1 banana l 1 tsp almond butter l 1 scoop of vegan vanilla protein powder l 14oz almond mylk l Handful of ice l 1 tsp maca powder (optional) Method: Mix all ingredients in a blender until combined. Feel free to freestyle if you haven’t got all of these exact ingredients to hand.

CHOCOLATE & HAZELNUT FLUFFY PANCAKES

Method: l Finely dice salsa ingredients into the same size pieces and mix in a bowl.

*also gluten- and refined sugar-free Ingredients for 6 pancakes: l 250g gluten-free self-raising flour l 65g coconut sugar l 225ml oat milk l 1 tsp vanilla l 1 tbsp baking powder l 1 tsp apple cider vinegar l 1 tbsp olive oil l 1 scoop vegan vanilla protein powder Ingredients for chocolate drizzle: 1 /4 cup coconut oil 1 /4 cup cacao powder 1 tbsp cream of coconut Pinch of salt 1 /2 cup of water 1 tbsp agave

l Heat a large pan with a glug of olive oil, saute the onions with the oil, ginger, garlic, bay leaves, turmeric, cumin, ground coriander and tomato paste for about 5-10 mins over a medium heat and stir. Add the tomatoes, chipotle paste and bouillon and mix well. Reduce to a simmer and cook gently for 90 minutes.

Add the teaspoon of brown sugar if the recipe is tart. Season with salt and pepper to your liking and add in the fresh coriander and beans. l Serve chilli with a generous portion of tortilla chip and top with cashew cream and guacamole.

Method: l To make the pancake mix, add all dry ingredients to one bowl and all wet ingredients to another. Mix well before combining the two bowls together. l Heat a large frying pan with some olive oil. Spoon the mixture into the pan when hot and flip over halfway through cooking. Cook the pancakes for around two minutes either side until golden. l For the all-important chocolate, mix all ingredients in a pan over a medium heat and stir until combined. Drizzle over the pancakes when ready. We then like to top these pancakes with half a banana sliced down the middle and a sprinkle of toasted hazelnuts.

Issue #4

SHIMBUN

57

Clockwise from above: Helen and Riley Patterson; Andy and Lucy Graham; Mark and Leanne Powell; Gary, Layton, Layla and Evie Dwyer; and Amanda and Ashleigh Pratt

BOW OUT•AROUND THE DOJOS

DOJO DYNASTIES THE wave of national and regional lockdowns that followed the global outbreak of Covid-19 forced families living together to spend more time in each other’s company than usual during 2020.

Social-distancing measures will have strengthened — and no doubt tested — intrahousehold relationships but for many members of GKR Karate, being in close proximity to parents, siblings or children will have been a familiar experience.

Take, for example, the Dwyer family who are club-mates 58

SHIMBUN

Issue #4

at Region 25’s Uttoxeter and Rugeley dojos in Staffordshire.

Dad Gary is currently the most senior member of the clan — in grade and years — and has recently joined the sempai programme under the tutelage of Sensei John McAulay.

Hot on the red belt’s heels is his nine-year-old son Layton, who graded to 5th Kyu earlier this year. The Dwyer’s karate connection does not end there, however, with green belt Layla (7) and her sister Evie — who began training during lockdown — also part of the dojo dynasty.

Although not every family can compete with boasting four karateka under one roof, loved ones lining up is a common sight across the club. Instructor Mark Powell trains with his daughter Leanne at Woodseats dojo in Sheffield (Region 26), while fellow brown belts Andy and Lucy Graham are regulars attendees at Region 25 classes.

Mums also get in on the act and, in the case of Amanda Pratt, provide the inspiration for their next generation.

An instructor at Region 19’s Bayview dojo in Australia,

Amanda is joined in class by her 12-year-old daughter Ashleigh.

Other parents, such as Helen Patterson who graded to 5th Kyu alongside 10-year-old son Riley in August, choose to keep stride with their children, joining and progressing through karate’s ranks together. l Do you benefit from sibling support or parental guidance in the dojo? Share your family photos with your magazine and we’d be delighted to show them off on the Shimbun mantelpiece.

Email a picture and details to shimbun@gkrkarate.com

BOW OUT• BOOKS

DIFFICULT DAYS

Costly chapter in the history of karate’s cradle AS you sit down to read this issue of Shimbun, Okinawa should have been one of the latest chapters in many GoKan-Ryu karateka’s stories.

Had the coronavirus pandemic not swept the legs from beneath the world of travel, hundreds of members of the club would have completed an unforgettable pilgrimage to the birthplace of karate in August as part of an open-invitation trip.

Instead, those who booked must wait for a “new normal” to materialise before training alongside masters and marvelling at the majesty of a tiny tropical island that is steeped in both martial arts and military history.

While Okinawa’s role in the former is often saluted, it’s part in the second is less celebrated but — as showcased by author Jon Diamond in a recently released book — no less dramatic.

The Battle of Okinawa 1945 – The Pacific War’s Last Invasion chronicles Operation Iceberg, the American mission to capture the island for use as a staging area for the Allied invasion of the Japanese mainland.

Pitching the US 10th Army against Japan’s defenders on land and its Imperial Navy at sea, it was a ferocious clash which proved one of the most bitterly fought and costly

campaigns of the Second World War. American ground troops faced a resolute and tenacious enemy whose vocabulary did not include “surrender”, while the US Fifth Fleet had to contend with kamikaze — “divine wind” — air attacks and more-than 700 explosiveladen suicide boats.

The true story behind Hollywood blockbuster Hacksaw Ridge, The Battle of Okinawa 1945 features rare photographs from wartime archives and is essential reading for those keen to seek a greater understanding of karate’s spiritual — and thankfully now serene and idyllic — home.

Clockwise from left: American troops examine an Okinawan burial tomb; US Marines take cover during fighting; The Battle of Okinawa is available to buy via pen-and-sword.co.uk Issue #4

SHIMBUN

59