Sandokai Chief Instructor

It was late 1970 when I first started training in the martial arts. At that time the club instructor held a green belt, and we had a visit from a black belt from Plymouth (90 miles away) every two weeks. At first, I studied traditional Japanese Wado Ryu karate and after a few false starts got my first belt in December 1973. I continued with Wado Ryu and reached 1st Kyu brown belt, and then my sensei (teacher) decided to form his own style - Bujinkai Karate. On August 12th 1978 I passed my grading examination for Shodan - Black Belt (first Dan/level). 2nd Dan followed three years later, and my 3rd Dan three years after that.

During that time I opened and ran a few clubs in Cornwall, the main ones that continued being the Penzance and Helston dojo (training halls). Apart from an assortment of trophies from a number of competitions both locally and nationally, I am proud to say I have fostered a number of some of Cornwall's best Karate exponents. Men, women and children, able bodied and disabled, have all benefited from the study of the martial arts.

After a growing dissatisfaction with my progress within Bujinkai Karate, I resigned in November 1991, and formed the Sandokai Karate Association with my senior grades in West Cornwall. 18 months later I was presented with my 4th Dan by Sensei Willie Thomas, the then World Karate Champion, and in May 1998 I was awarded my 5th Dan from the Federation of English Karate Organisations. 2004 saw a big step in my karate career when I was awarded my 6th Dan, the title of Shihan ("master" or "teacher of teachers") and hung up my black belt in favour of a red and white "block" belt.

I have no particular preferences for one technique or aspect of Karate over any other, but as an "older" person I do still get considerable pleasure from Kata, especially Saipai, Nijushiho and Unsu. I have had my time in kumite squads, represented Redruth Karate Club, Bujinkai Karate and Sandokai Karate at both local and national levels, and now focus my fighting skills through refereeing (FEKO National Referee).

I now gain vicarious pleasure from guiding my students to their own successes, both in Karate and life itself. I could fill pages and pages of this web site with tales (funny, sad, heroic and just plain daft ) of the antics and exploits of myself and my students, but suffice it to say that I have got a lot more out of Karate than I could ever put in. Karate has been a constant in my life.

Partners, friends, family, and fortunes have come and gone, but my Karate has always been there, as have life long friends scattered around Britain and the world.

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 12th August 1978
NIDAN - 23rd August 1981
SANDAN - 30th September 1984
YONDAN - 2nd May 1993
GODAN - 31st May 1998
ROKKUDAN - 16th May 2004

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
B.Sc. (HONS) PSYCHOLOGY - Polytechnic South West - 28th June 1991
CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION (Cert. Ed.) - University of Plymouth - 29th September 1996

Sandokai Senior Instructor

Kevin Gilbert has always been "the quiet one". Not overly interested in the politics or intrigues of Karate, Kevin came, trained and went. Quietly working his way through the grades he was always there, training for the sake of training.

Kevin's strength is the technical side of Karate. The correct way to do a particular technique, a Kata or some element of the syllabus. Using this technical excellence Kevin was a regular member the Bujinkai squad and latterly the Sandokai team for both Kata and Kumite.

A regular competition entrant, Kevin is at home in either Traditional or Freestyle Karate and heads up the Sandokai squad in both local and national events. It is a rare event when Kevin doesn't come home with at least one trophy.

A good all round Karateka, he is an example of how regular hard training can lead to a steady progression in Karate. An instructor who believes in simplicity and hard work, Kevin has produced some top class students.

Now, at a higher level, he is the Senior Instructor of Sandokai, trains the competition squads, oversees the monthly Senior Training/Kumite Squad sessions and is an active member behind the scenes organising and running Sandokai.

As the Senior Instructor of Sandokai he continues to ensure that Sandokai has a level of quality unrivalled in the area.

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 22nd October 1989
NIDAN - 29th October 1991
SANDAN - 20th November 1994
YONDAN - 15th November 1998
GODAN - 23rd November 2003
ROKKUDAN - 15th November 2009

Sandokai Chief Examiner, Registrar and Senior Grade Coach

One evening, two new beginners walked into the Penzance Karate Club. One was keen to train, but didn't want to start on his own so he dragged along his reluctant sibling, Terri, who was profoundly deaf. By the end of the evening Terri was hot, sore and hooked. Though Terri had previously trained in Judo with Sensei Brian Gent (and had graded to Green Belt), Karate was a whole new ball game.

The only allowance made for Terri's deafness was the instructor tried to make a point of facing Terri when shouting commands (so Terri could lip read him), and in grading examinations a senior grade stood to one side and signed anything that Terri had not understood from the grading panel.

Many evenings were spent in a local hostelry after training teaching Terri how to lip read Japanese, and other club members learning the rudiments of sign language. Being deaf, Terri would study intently every subtle nuance of a move and practice it to perfection. Unfortunately, this meant that the instructor could not afford to have an "off night" as Terri would collar him afterwards and demand to know why the elbow position in the Kata was two inches lower than it was last week!

A dedicated and hard working student, Terri soon became a "personality" in the South West of England attending every course and training session possible. Her pet phrase ''all part of it!'' has become part of local Karate terminology, usually uttered just after accidentally kicking someone in the groin! When Terri passed her black belt grading the local T.V. station invited her up for an interview and demonstration of skills. An interesting day, to say the least! The demonstration went well for Terri, but during a takedown technique she managed to pull down her instructor's trousers - fortunately there is only one copy of the video left in existence, and Shihan Whale isn't showing it to anyone!

Hard but fair, Terri was an instructor who brooked no nonsense and has many good students to her credit. However, just before Terri's Third Dan grading her doctor told her to quit Karate as she had severe arthritis in her back. Despite the pain, and against doctor's orders, Terri took and passed her grade.

Terri's stubbornness resulted in the seniors of Sandokai forcibly resigning her, which didn't go down well at all. No longer capable of the usual physical demands of Karate training, Terri took on the role of Registrar and Licensing Officer, and utilised years of experience coaching the senior grades, sitting on grading panels and dealing with administrative and political issues. Terri is also Sandokai's Chief Examiner, with responsibility for all aspects of grading examinations - from sorting out the paperwork and deciding who sits on what panel to making a "final decision" in the case of any dispute.

Terri is also a stalwart of the Newlyn club, doing all the administrative stuff and casting a keen and critical eye over the training, providing valuable insights to the students and instructors alike.

In November 1998, Terri's continuing commitment to Karate generally and Sandokai specifically was rewarded with a 4th Dan. Never a quitter, Terri soldiered on and was awarded her 5th Dan in 2004 and her 6th Dan in 2010. To this day Terri is still actively involved in the martial arts, keeping the senior grades on their toes and setting an example of what can be achieved through a lifetime study of karate.

Sandokai Karate would not be the same without her.

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 25th October 1987
NIDAN - 4th November 1989
SANDAN - 28th November 1993
YONDAN - 15th November 1998
GODAN - 15th February 2004
ROKKUDAN - 16th May 2010

Sandokai Secretary and Treasurer

Alex Blamey originally trained with Bujinkai Karate in Penryn, a hard school with some hard sensei - Dave and Jim Cooper, and Paul Symons. He gained his Shodan (first Dan black belt) in 1985, and (never one to rush things) his Nidan five years later.

One of the original Sandokai senior grades he took an active role in putting together the syllabus and a lot of the administration and paperwork of Sandokai has fallen on to his shoulders. His service as Treasurer and Secretary has been invaluable. With a long standing interest in the practical aspects of kumite, Alex eschews the fancy high kicks in favour of neat, simple, bone-crunching, low level roundhouse kicks, and punches and strikes which are more effective than pretty. He was a long time organiser of the S.W.M. series of competitions and a F.E.K.O. National Referee.

Alex was awarded his Sandan with Sandokai in 1995, and (as a slightly early Christmas present) his 4th Dan on 15/12/99.

In response to his continuing dedication and hard work behind the scenes he was awarded his 5th Dan in 2005.

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 29th September 1985
NIDAN - 7th October 1990
SANDAN - 16th July 1995
YONDAN - 15th December 1999
GODAN - 20th November 2005

Gary Martin started training in 1979, when he heard through the grapevine of a Karate club in his area. Instantly hooked, he continued to train, gaining his 1st Dan in May 1985.

Initially a Bujinkai Karate club, Gary soon got into the routine of attending courses, competing in competitions, and (perhaps more by "luck" than intention) he almost always ended up training with grades far senior to himself. Gary found this immensely challenging, but in the long run the benefits were huge.

Gary was encouraged to become involved in coaching and teaching in 1984, which as a callow seventeen year old was daunting to say the least, especially when teaching students much older than himself. Perhaps the early faith that his instructor had in his ability was a key component in his Karate career, as Gary is now well known in Cornwall as an inspirational instructor who'll work you till you drop, but leave you smiling all the while.

Once Gary gained his Shodan he became a regular member of the Bujinkai Squad, competing in local, regional and national competitions. Gary sums up his competition career with the words "I had good wins, beating national competitors; bad losses to local 'nobodies', but never stopped learning".

Due to work commitments and an injury which required major reconstructive surgery to his right knee, it was five years before Gary took and passed his next grading, but despite an ongoing problem with his knee managed to attain his 3rd Dan in 1996.

Gary's knee has never been right since the injury in 1989, which effectively ended his Kumite aspirations. However, this forced him to focus more on Kata, an area where he has excelled - rarely out of the top three in regional events, and always in the top ten at National events. The physical demands of striving for perfection in Kata also took it's toll on his knee, and though he still competes occasionally, his new challenge is refereeing.

Within two years Gary attained his F.E.K.O. National Referee qualification, and is known as an unbiased, by-the-rules, no-nonsense referee. Hard but fair, he is in demand for both Traditional and Freestyle competitions.

The Kumite students that Gary has coached are unbeaten locally, and well respected nationally. All his years of knowledge from courses with World Champions to a beating from the European Full Contact Champion, he disseminates to his students.

"Karate has given me so much. From a small dyslexic child to a widely respected Karateka, National Ref. and Coach. I wonder how many sports can change a life as mine has, to the point where it is no longer a sport but a way of life."

"Train hard ..."

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 25th May 1985
NIDAN - 11th July 1993
SANDAN - 14th July 1996
YONDAN - 13th August 2000

Initially Anthony Woods began in grappling/ wrestling and judo from an early age (about 4) because of his parents' love of active/physical sports. Through the years have he has practiced various martial arts including Jujitsu, Aikido, Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, Boxing, Tai Chi Chuan and weapon training. Due to the limited number of choices available to the aspiring martial artist in West Cornwall Anthony started training in Karate at the Helston Bujinkai.

In the years that followed he has trained in various styles of Karate (e.g. Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, and Wado-Ryu), and is a well known emissary for Sandokai in the local area, traveling from club to club on a whim and joining in with their training session irrespective of whether it is Karate, Tae Kwon Do or other martial art club. Anthony just loves training, learning and meeting new people.

A regular competition competitor, Anthony has the distinction of being the first student from Helston to win a trophy in a major competition - 2nd place in the Bujinkai National Championships 1987 (middle weight), mere minutes before fellow club member Kevin Gilbert reached the final of the light weight (same result - 2nd). Since then he has collected a motley assortment of trophies from both traditional and "Freestyle" Karate competitions, and particularly enjoys the continuous fighting bouts in Freestyle.

Anthony has taken an active interest in improving his overall knowledge of the martial arts and related areas of interest. He has gained qualifications in Physical Education, N.L.P., and Hypnotherapy, and is working on qualifications as a Clinical Fitness Instructor and a professional Stress Consultant. His skills have been utilised both in and out of Sandokai, instructing clubs and associations in exercise technique, visualisation, technique improvement and replacing bad habits.

Anthony Woods was achieved his black belt (1st Dan) in March 1995 after over ten years of training, his 2nd Dan two years later, and was gained his 3rd Dan in the spring of 2000. He was then awarded his 4th Dan in August 2005.

Anthony is an instructor at the Newlyn Dojo, and after recent major hip replacement surgery he is working to rebuild his flexibility so he "will be able to throw those gedan geris with aplomb."

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 19th March 1995
NIDAN - 16th March 1997
SANDAN - 20th February 2000
YONDAN - 21st August 2005

Adam followed in the footsteps of his brother Lee when he started training at the Helston Dojo in 1994. He was a cheeky little lad who has worked hard on becoming a quick and efficient kumite exponent.

Initially, a regular member of the junior kumite squad, Adam gained quite a reputation in the local area. Now he is over 18 he has stepped up to the rigours of being a senior in age as well as experience, but fighting in the senior age groups is something he enjoys. Adam is a determined competitor who likes to win and finds karate competition (both kata and kumite) an avenue of self-improvement.

When Sandokai puts on a public demonstration in aid of a charity event you will find Adam in the fore at almost every event. His "party piece" is a dynamic wood breaking demonstration, where he performs a jumping front kick to break a piece of about 8 or 9 feet in the air!

Amongst other pursuits Adam is quite adept at Cornish Wrestling, gaining and successfully defending the Under 16's Middleweight Championship title, though these days he has little time to seriously pursue this traditional Cornish sport.

Still single, Adam combines the usual activities of a young man with hard work and dedication in the dojo combined with working as a nurse and studying to further his medical qualifications.

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 16th November 1997
NIDAN - 14th November 1999
SANDAN - 24th November 2002
YONDAN - 19th November 2006

Mostyn is one of the "old timers" of Sandokai.

It seems that he has been training forever ...

Mostyn's main interest in Karate is to have a good work out and get rid of all the stresses and tribulations that build up during the week. The qualities that make him a success in the legal world are perfectly in tune with the requirements for being a success in Karate - tenacity, hard work, determination, down-right aggression when needed, empathy and a very keen mind.

Mostyn's main problem is that his job often interferes with his training schedule, and though he would like to be more involved he cannot tell when he will be free from week to week. But, at least, he trains when he can and is continually growing and gaining from his karate.

On the peripheral of his karate training, Mostyn took part in the London Marathon in 2004 and 2005, raising a significant amount of money for a local children's charity.

Now he has attained his 3rd Dan, Mostyn can relax a little and explore the avenues of karate that he wants to explore without any great pressure to take gradings and is looking forward to a whole new world of karate.

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 24th November 1997
NIDAN - 19th May 2002
SANDAN - 24th February 2008

It was continual bullying by a manager at work which prompted Fran to consider self defence classes - or something similar. As fate would have it she saw a poster for a new club opening at Devoran, just a few miles from her home.

One of the first students at the Devoran club, and a regular member of the Penryn and Camborne clubs, Fran soon discovered that Karate gave her more than just self defence. Her training improved her health, confidence and gave her more than just a hobby - it became a passion.

Despite a major setback when her finger was seriously injured, Fran forged ahead with her training, becoming a valued and respected student who was involved in all aspects of her Karate - not just the normal training sessions.

Her persistence and hard work was rewarded with promotion to Black Belt in February 2003.

In an interview with Good Housekeeping* magazine Fran states "I used to find it hard making eye contact with people, but in karate you can't look away when you have an opponent in front of you. I'm far less shy and more direct with people now. But I'm also calmer and better adjusted because one of the things you learn through martial arts is patience."

"I'm now a black belt in karate and also teach it. Three years ago I'd never have believed I'd be able to stand up in front of a class and tell them what to do. When I think of how I quivered at my very first session, the change in me has been nothing short of miraculous."

Fran is the Club Instructor of the Devoran and Camborne clubs, and her dedication, hard work and philosophy of leading from the front resulted in her being awarded her 2nd Dan in 2005 and her 3rd Dan in 2008.

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 16th February 2003
NIDAN - 22nd May 2005
SANDAN - 18th May 2008

"I remember my first lesson in Karate. It was back in 1985 and I was a pubescent 13 year old. After that initial lesson I was hooked. The style I began with was Shoto Ryu Karate Kai, which was based in Plymouth under Sensei Vivian Nash. It took me four years to get to 2nd Kyu (blue belt) training four times a week under Sensei Nick Moller in Bristol. Whilst training as a karate ka I also studied Yang and Chen along with push hands styles of Tai Chi. Shoto Ryu was a style that concentrated on the old fashioned essence of traditional Karate and was very similar to Shotokan. I have also tried Judo, and Kung Fu but have found that Karate to be the most enjoyable and rewarding.

"However having just been appointed as an apprentice electrician with SWEB I had to move from Bristol to Taunton to train, and as a poor apprentice, travelling back and forth to Bristol was proving difficult and costly so unfortunately training was put on the back burner.

"Having woke up one morning to find I was now a married 31 year old with two kids living in Cornwall I realised I had something missing in my life and needed an outlet... so having surfed the net for good Karate schools in Cornwall I came across the Sandokai website and contacted Sensei Whale who told me all I needed to know.

"I started on 1st July 2003 at the Helston Dojo instructed by Sensei Gilbert, Collick and Martin and suddenly realised how much I had missed Karate. The first couple of weeks were a nightmare as a fourteen year gap does leave you a little un-supple to say the least but I soon had the bug and trained a minimum of twice a week. I was allowed to continue as a blue belt and found the differences between Sandokai and Shoto Ryu remarkable. This meant learning new kata and theories to training. For example I now had to learn the Pinans instead of Heian kata. 2nd Kyu was fairly easy as I only had Saipai to learn. My 1st kyu (full brown belt) however was a lot harder as I had to learn five Pinan kata and Seinchin - six kata in total. I attended courses as much as possible and helped at demonstrations to promote the club and style.

"I now train three to four times a week at Helston, Camborne and sometimes Devoran Dojo whenever possible. I like to put back what I have taken out of Karate so that other students can advance in the art as I have.

"Karate has taught me how to focus the mind and be more tolerant of people and situations, and above all to be patient. If I find myself in situations where a person is showing violence towards me I would rather walk than provoke.

"As Gichin Funikoshi wrote;

'...There are always some whose only desire is to learn karate so as to make use of it in a fight... Only those with a higher ideal will find karate interesting enough to persevere in the rigors it entails. Those who do will find that the harder they train, the more fascinating the art becomes.'

"... I think that says it all!"

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 20th February 2005
NIDAN - 13th May 2007
SANDAN - 16th May 2010

Originally a student of Robin Whale at the Penzance Karate Club, Kevin became one of the top karate competitors in the South of England in the 1980's.

A dedicated and hard working karate-ka Kevin was one of the top Cadet competitors in the UK, and a promising future member of the England squad.

When Robin Whale and his senior grades resigned from Bujinkai Karate and formed Sandokai, Kevin elected to remain with Bujinkai to pursue his competition ambitions. However this was not to be as Kevin also had a passion for antiques and attended University in Southampton gaining a B.Sc. (Hons) in Antiques, which interrupted his karate career. After his degree, Kevin had to deal with the realities of life such as getting a job and paying bills which also put his karate on hold for a while.

During this time Kevin realised that though he had been a top karate competitor there was more to life than shiny trophies and bruises.

Initially Kevin wanted to get his fitness levels back up, so he trained occasionally with his original instructor at the Newlyn Sandokai club, where he was made most welcome. After a while he realised that his passion for karate was still there, albeit in a different direction.

No longer an active competitor, Kevin is enjoying his karate for it's own sake, passing on his knowledge and skills to other Sandokai members and learning a whole new set of skills and martial arts concepts.

More than happy just to train and contribute Kevin has no immediate aspirations to take his 3rd Dan grading, much to the frustration of his peers and seniors who recognise someone with ability and skill far beyond his 2nd Dan grade.

What can we say? Watch this space ... The best is yet to come.

Trevor is an old friend of Sandokai's, having trained with many of Sandokai's instructors many years ago when they were members of Bujinkai Karate.

Trevor originally took up Karate training under the direction of Sensei Alex Blamey at Penryn in the early 1990s. In those days the Dojo used was the old Boy's Boxing Club, which was in a poor state of repair at the best of times. He progressed to Green belt in the Sandokai system when unfortunately the club was suspended from training for a period as the floor literally fell away into the river below the building!

Trevor moved to a club nearer his home town of Camborne but had to change styles to Shotokan Karate, in which he progressed to 1st Dan.

Similarly, this club closed down after the Instructor moved away, and after a period of not training (just over a year), Trevor found a Sandokai club had recently opened in Camborne under Sensei Fran Long. He was welcomed back into the fold and is glad to be re-acquainted with some of his previous mentors.

A popular and skilled instructor, Trevor is juggling the demands of his work life, helping out with teaching at the Camborne and Devoran dojo and training for his 3rd Dan.

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 19th November 2004
NIDAN - 18th May 2008

Richard is not only an accomplished karateka, but also a good teacher. He has been a major asset to the Devoran and Camborne clubs, with a winning way with all the students. Always smiling, his enthusiasm is infectious and effective.

Actively involved in all aspects of Sandokai, Richard can always be relied on to be there, leading from the front and putting 100% effort into whatever is going on.

Working his way towards his 3rd Dan, Richard has decided to commit himself to the most daunting and time consuming task of all in karate, running his own club. In 2009 Sensei Long handed over the busy Camborne Dojo to Richard, and the club has continued to go from strength to strength in his capable hands.

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 19th November 2006
NIDAN - 16th November 2008

Josh was one of a group of lads from Helston that thought they'd try out karate for a bit of a laugh. Typically, most of the group dropped out after time as they realised that the fun came with hard work.

Not so, Josh.

Carrying on quietly in the background, and willing to give anything a go, Josh started being noticed as an efficient kumite competitor and a reasonable kata exponent.

Unsurprisingly, Josh passed his black belt in 2007 with very positive feedback from the examiners.

He continues to train, growing in many ways with every passing week. Despite the pressures of a young man's life, Josh always makes time for his karate and intends to do so for a long time to come.

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 26th August 2007
NIDAN - 9th August 2009

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 18th February 2001

"In 1996 a young, unfit mum heard that Sandokai Karate was coming to town. I was on a budget and wanted to get fit. Karate was cheap and in the village. During my life I was on the receiving end of some fists and now had a chance to, perhaps, learn how to stand up for myself.

"Several years later I am not so young, slightly fitter, but am part of a very happy band of people. An association that are happy to pass on their experience and delight in seeing others succeed, watch the confidence gained by all those who join knowing that once they have experienced being part of this family they will find it hard to leave.

"I did give up training for a couple of years but missed this happy bunch of "pacifists" and decided to return.

"I will not forget they day I was handed my black belt. Not only had I achieved something special, and still 3 days off my 40th birthday, I also felt the support of every single person in the room from beginners to Sensei. This meant more to me than anything I have experienced before - including my successes on the athletics field as a child.

"I can now walk up to anyone who has given me grief in the past with the knowledge that if they decide to strike again I will be able to stop them for a little while - before I muster the strength to run away."

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 17th August 2003

Sonny joined the Helston Dojo mainly because of the TV series the Power Rangers.

His parents weren't sure that "real" martial arts would be suitable, so they stalled for a while, but Sonny persisted. As an eight year old Sonny didn't take his training too seriously, but once he had passed his first belt he realised that karate can be fun. He also learned that it is also hard work and has a serious side.

Very much an individual, Sonny soon found himself at odds with the instructors, but he kept on training and kept on growing - not just as a karateka but as a person. The higher a grade he attained the more he learned to respect his art.

On several occasions he thought about quitting but his parents always had a word with him and persuaded him to keep going "just a bit longer", and he has thanked them ever since. He has also persuaded some of his closest friends to take up karate, and is pleased to see them making steady progress and chasing him through the grades.

Sonny is an adept competition fighter and is quite enthusiastic and knowledgeable about all aspects of the martial arts including the "peripherals" of karate - sport science, first aid, and the history and philosophy of the martial arts. He is also a bit of a martial arts movie buff!

Sonny enjoys hard training and is not afraid to question and to contribute. A dark horse, he is easily underestimated, but his ability was plain to see when he was awarded his Black Belt in 2005.

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 20th November 2005

Neil has taken the classic "on-off" route in his karate career. It seems he has taken forever to get from beginner to black belt. Training for a while and gaining a couple of belts, then dropping off the radar for a few months/years, Neil was constantly trying to catch up to where he was before progressing to his next grade.

A year or so of hard work, regular training and dedication paid off when he was awarded his black belt in November 2006.

Looking to the future, Neil has decided that it's a lot less hard work to stay in regular training than to take time out, and is already working towards his 2nd Dan!

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 19th November 2006

Hayden was a regular member of the Helston Dojo for a few years before taking his black belt.

He is one of our younger black belts - still in his teens - and has a long way yet to go to attain his competition goals, but he knows that success is all about hard work and dediciation, not just in karate but in life ...

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 19th November 2006

Jamie was a gangly teenager who decided to try out karate as there was a club within easy walking distance of his home in Devoran.

After a short while he began to appreciate the both the physical and mental benefits of martial arts training. Hooked, Jamie started training at the Penryn club as well as the Devoran club, and attended every course, competition and/ or event he could.

His rapidly improving skills and physical abilities, not to mention his height, long legs and arms, made Jamie an awkward person to fight. However, Jamie has always been one of the nice guys, and felt particularly bad if he landed a good blow on his opponent.

Stern words were needed to prevent him from apologising to his opponent (for landing a good technique) in his black belt grading, and under threat of severe consequences from his instructors, Jamie combined technical excellence with 150% effort resulting in an immediate and unanimous PASS from the examiners.

Jamie loves his karate as a pure discipline, and intends to continue for many years to come.

Involved in his family's boat building business, Jamie often disappears for a few weeks/months as he travels the world with the business, but he always takes his karate gi with him and trains with his nearest club - spreading the name of Sandokai world wide.

Though we can empathise with Jamie over the interruptions to his training, spending a couple of months on some exotic island in the South Pacific isn't the sort of interruption that gains a lot of sympathy!

In 2008, Jamie took a(nother) few months off to row a full size Viking ship from Sweden to the Mediterranean! If nothing else, it should improve the strength of his punches.

Apart from continuing to gain from his personal voyage in the martial arts, Jamie intends to repay some of the benefits he has gained by passing the skills and knowledge he has gained (and will continue to gain) to future generations of karateka.

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 11th February 2007

When he got his black belt at the age of 13, Zak had the distinction of being one of our youngest black belts.

Regular attendance (both in the dojo and at every course or competition available), hard work and a determination that was plain to see took him from beginner to Black Belt.

Zak intends to push his boundaries in the field of competition karate and bring some more trophies home to his club in Newlyn.

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 13th May 2007

For some people karate comes fairly easily, they have a natural ability, the local club is on the doorstep, they have previous sporting acumen ...

Not so Euan.

Not a natural athlete or actively a "sports person" the physical demands of karate were a hard slog. But Euan has an intellect beyond his years, and he discovered an almost bottomless well of knowledge which fascinated him.

He started training at the Devoran dojo which was a thirty mile round trip every week, but his parents supported his efforts and took on the task of transporting him to the training sessions, courses and gradings. To feed his thirst for a deeper knowledge of his karate, Euan later swapped clubs and trained at the Penryn and Falmouth dojo with Shihan Whale, a similar distance to travel every session. Invariably, Euan was the first student to arrive, and he worked to the best of his ability every session.

He questioned every aspect of his karate, not just to ensure he was doing it correctly but also so he understood why he was doing it that way.

When it came to his black belt grading, Euan's encyclopaedic knowledge of the syllabus was of limited help, and it was sheer determination, attitude and hard work that saw him pass at the age of 14.

Respected for his knowledge, heart and an attitude that transcends his age, Euan intends to spend the next few years leading up to his next belt to find his own path in karate and to broaden his already wide martial arts knowledge base.

DAN GRADES
SHODAN - 16th May 2010