A Norfolk karate club is offering support to members who have been affected by bullying.The Traditional Shotokan Karate Ryu (TSKR) is running the Safe Kids scheme at its branches in Fakenham, Dereham, Swaffham and Watton, giving martial arts enthusiasts preparation to allow them to overcome a potential bully, the Dereham Times reports.Chief instructor Terry Wittkopp told the publication: While martial arts give children the confidence to stand up to bullies, they should know that they do not have to face it alone. The initiative is great for the children and helps us to teach the importance of how to...

A judo competition hosted by a Cumbrian club is set to welcome seven champion fighters from Russia.Held by Kendal Judo Club, the English Open Judo Championships will now take students from a St Petersberg club of which Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin is a member, the Westmoreland Gazette reports.Included in the Russian squad are five European Cadet Championship (ECC) and Super World Cup competitors, including ECC under-23 silver medallist Eyybov and current under-90 kg Russian champion Gasiev.Located near Kendal leisure centre just off Parkside Road, the dojo welcomes spectators at the self defence event on March 21st and 22nd, which...

Students from a Scottish karate club have represented their country's alliance squad at an international competition in Italy.Some eleven young enthusiasts from Burakudo Karate Club fought against stiff competition at the World Karate Championships in Jeslo, eventually bringing home two medals, the Ayrshire Post states.Kirsty Campbell came third in the 15-17 years cadet category, while Aidan Smith won a silver medal in the boys' open kumite eight years section.Two of the club's coaches, Raymond Ferrier and Kirsty Hair, also travelled to the European clash, along with three qualified Scottish judges.Burakudo Karate Club hosts lessons throughout the week in Ayr, Troon,...

A Kidderminster martial artist has recorded a substantial win against an opponent.James Winsper, 26, beat Bristol's Carl Mallinson in the kickboxing bout that took place in Weston-Super-Mare last Saturday (February 28th), the Kidderminster Shuttle reports.Speaking to the publication, Winsper commented: One punch can change everything in a full contact match, but even knowing that I felt relaxed. I felt physically strong and utterly dominant.The fighter is also a keen karate enthusiast and hopes to compete in a tournament at the Glades arena next month.Winsper also runs three gyms in Halesowen, Kidderminster and Redditch with his brother Matt, which offer...

Juniors at a Sussex judo club have been awarded several medals at a competition in Kent.Crawley's Kin Ryu Judo Club brought home 18 accolades from the Beechwood Sacred Heart invitation in Tunbridge Wells, the Kent and Sussex Courier states.The competitors won six bronze, five silver and five gold medals, as well as two spirit of judo awards for outstanding determination, given to Suzanna Neave and Ryan Robb.Despite strong competition, the nine to 12 year-olds came out best, winning seven medals against experienced opponents through skill and determination, the publication reports.The club was also represented at the North-west age-banded open in...

A ten-year-old martial arts student from the north-east has won a medal at a national competition.Stakeford resident James Fairbairn came second place in the eight-to-13s category at the British Championships, placing him second in the country and well on his way to an England karate squad call-up, the New Post Leader states.Speaking with the newspaper, James' mother Tracey said: This is a wonderful achievement and a credit to his club and trainer. The student attracted regional media attention last year when he attained his Northern Freestyle Karate Association black belt in June at the tender age of nine, the...

Students from a Yorkshire karate centre have achieved honours at a north-west karate event.Representing Pocklington Karate Centre at the Japan Shotokan Karate Association North West Open, four fighters won a selection of trophies including silver and bronze, the York Press reports.Instructor Oliver Willison ranked third despite suffering an ankle injury, with the top three places separated by just 0.3 points, while Craig McDade, Henry Smith and Callum Stewart took silver in the team kata competition.McDade also ranked second in his first individual kata fight after a closely-fought tie-breaker.Pocklington Karate Centre practises at the Scout Hall in Burnby Lane on Mondays...

A Leicestershire martial arts club has been nominated for the ninth Muslim News Awards for Excellence this year, it has been announced.The Leicester-based CKI School of Martial Arts is the only non-profit organisation of its kind in the country, The Muslim News states.Currently supporting over 800 members, some as young as three-and-a-half years old, the club encourages students of all races, religions and skill levels to participate.Speaking with the news provider, Muslim News editor Ahmed J Versi commented: The Muslim News Awards recognises the achievements of unsung heroes and heroines. These awards are to honour those who make this...

The skill and perseverance of a north-west martial arts student has been recognised at a regional award ceremony.The Capita Sporting Honours Awards saw more than 60 Liverpudlians from various sports receive due credit for their efforts, the Liverpool Echo reports.Sophie Dickson accepted an honour for her outstanding performance in the field of tae kwon do, while others were recognised for their contributions to swimming, sailing, gymnastics, tennis, basketball and many more.Liverpool city councillor Warren Bradley told the publication: Liverpool is the most successful sporting city in the UK and it's essential that we celebrate the fantastic achievements of our...

An Essex martial arts instructor is trying to organise a team to represent his town at the S Factor competition in Bristol.Kata coach Alistair Thomson is appealing to all enthusiasts in every discipline to join him on the Tendring team at the national competition, the Harwich and Manningtree Standard states.The teacher of Essex Wado Ryu Karate, Clacton, is also hoping that local coaches and senseis will sit on the judging board with him at the event.Auditions for the team will take place at the Brotherhood Hall, St Osyth Road on March 8th, between 14:00 and 17:00 GMT.The S Factor caters...

A martial arts club in Cheshire has won a host of medals at a north-west competition.Students of Crewe judo club were awarded no less than 18 medals in total, seven of them gold, at the event at the National Martial Arts headquarters in Northwich, the Crewe Chronicle reports.Former coach Chris Sharpe told the newspaper: Seeing the club do so well was wonderful. Everybody helps each other in training and when they come to competitions it really shows through. The coaches have done a brilliant job, Mr Sharpe added.Several of the students also earned points that will contribute...

Two martial arts instructors from Devon have set up a new club to promote exercise, discipline and respect among children.Elliot Fisher and Justin Hardy started TKD Combat martial arts club in South Molton to give young people a cheap pastime that encourages safety and integrity, the North Devon Gazette reports.Speaking with the newspaper, Mr Fisher commented: We want to get kids away from shop doorways and to give hoodies a new image, with members proud to wear hoodies bearing the club logo. In their training, before they learn fighting, they must learn discipline and respect, he added.The black...

A tae kwon do instructor at a Norfolk martial arts club has been ranked fifth at the United Kingdom Martial Arts Federation (UKMAF ) annual instructor awards.Ian Soame, 5th dan black belt, was recognised as playing a major part in the success of his students at Saracen Martial Arts, helping them to achieve grading locally and nationally, the Watton and Swaffham Times reports.Speaking with the newspaper, Mr Soame said: We are very proud to have secured fifth place in the UKMAF Awards for the 2008 -2009 year. This would be a fitting tribute as 2009 should see Saracen's 100th...

A ju jitsu club in Lincolnshire recently received a community grant from the local council.Cobra ju jitsu club in Skegness was awarded £500 by councillor Phil Kemp to design and print kit for its members, the Skegness Standard reports.The club operates at the old Hallway To Dance in Grosvenor Road, running two classes that cater for martial artists from the age of eight upwards.Its 8-12-year-olds' session runs on Fridays at 18:30 GMT, with the main class starting at 20:00 GMT.Students at a Kidderminster ju jitsu recently developed their fitness by passing their first grading session, the Kidderminster Shuttle reports.Mentored by...

Students at a Scottish tae kwon do club have been awarded medals at the British Championship.Heather Jackson and Craig Reid of Carluke Scotia Taekwon-Do have both won bronze medals at the competition in Stratford at the tender age of seven, the Lanark Gazette reports.Craig's mother Sandra Reid told the newspaper: It was the biggest and toughest event he has ever competed in with a lot of bigger boys from all over Britain participating. Heather also did very well to get a patterns bronze, she added.The green belts impressed their trainers last year by winning nine medals each at...

A judo club based in Suffolk has held a fun tournament to encourage youngsters to get involved in the sport.Black Dog Judo Club in Bungay ran the competition to try and showcase every element of the martial art, rather than the fighting-only aspect that most tournaments focus on, the Beccles and Bungay Journal reports.Winners included Holly (gold), Benn (silver), Katey, Samantha and Ryan, while three members of the club also attended a county training session in Felixstowe.The club is currently recruiting new members and holds its weekly training sessions between 18:00 and 21:00 GMT at Chaucer Club in Bungay.It will...

A karate club in Yorkshire is currently recruiting new students of all abilities.Eishin Juku Shokotan Karate Club in Knaresborough offers classes suitable for beginners and black belts alike, the Knaresborough Post reports.Run by 5th dan black belt sensei Chris Hastings, who is assisted by various 2nd and 3rd dans, the courses take place at the centre above the Old Girls' School, Castle Yard.The beginners' course began last week and will run every Thursday between 19:00 and 20:00 GMT for the next three weeks, teaching the basics of the sport and simple choreographed kata moves, the newspaper states.Mr Hastings is encouraging...

A martial arts enthusiast from Essex has won a silver medal for England at an international competition.Hannah Baker, 15, ranked second at the 36th European Junior and Cadet Karate Championships in Paris, her debut as an England representative, the Essex County Standard reports.A student at Essex Shotokan Karate Club in Clacton, Ms Baker has been practicing the art since the age of seven.Instructor and seventh dan Joe Anderson told the newspaper: People choose karate for a whole range of reasons - health and fitness, self-defence, self-confidence, self-discipline, sport karate and traditional karate. Expect to see a lot more of...

A Warwickshire martial arts instructor has shared diary accounts of his junior and senior classes.Jamie Clubb runs the Clubb Chimera Martial Arts class, based at the Woodlands School in Coventry.The teacher told the Coventry Telegraph how he boosts the agility and awareness of his junior pupils with a chase/escape warm up exercise, before showing them footwork drills, such as blitzing and side-stepping, as well as grappling techniques.For the seniors, Mr Clubb takes a different approach, teaching sparring and encouraging two-on-one pad work.The newspaper reports that he focuses on the personal development of pupils through martial arts, taking requests about which...

A Welsh karate centre is celebrating after three of its members were awarded Student of the Year Awards, the Barry and District News reports.Kyokushin Karate Club's Rebecca Scott, 19, won Senior Student of the Year 2008-9, showing outstanding performance in her field of Kyokushin Karate.Jack Hilldrup's commitment to the club was recognised with a junior student award, after attending every tournament and training session at the Barry club.Also acknowledge was Natascha Sedgmond, who achieved the award for most improved student after showing personal development, the newspaper states.The club has been in operation since the 1970s and is hosting a new...