At the recent British Karate Kyokushinkai Summer `Camp in Felsted, the dojo had four members attempt new Dan gradings under the watchful eye of IFK and BKK Chief Hanshi Steve Arneil 10th Dan.
Senpai Gary Hawkins after 15 years as a Shodan was successful in his Nidan (2nd Dan) grading along with two of the clubs young competitors Senpai’s Blake Collins and Dawid Ozga.
Also taking his Shodan (1st Dan) was Tom Frith whose journey has been a long one. After starting karate in 1977 he had a long lay off from the mid nineties after reaching his brown belt. Returning in 2012 it is a special moment for him to finally take the rank of black belt Senpai.
Front Row (L-R)
Gary Hawkins, Blake Collins, Dawid Ozga, Tom Frith
They transferred that form into the individuals with Robert Salvi winning the high grade +160cm boys and Ame Sorge coming 3rd.
Bart Chaisrisud remained undefeated all day winning seven fights and took the -160cm high grade boys division and Ashley Black came 3rd.
Mikolaj Zabawa won the +155cm junior low grade division and Madison Sproston took the +155cm junior low grade division. The club also had Charlie Denton and Reece Reeve make the quarter finals and Kieran Long, Alexander Sproston, Colin Spriggs and Tyron Kirton went out in the preliminary rounds.
