Joe Ritchie                             7^th Kyu (I)

Daniel Hesford                      8^th Kyu (III)

Gerard Porter                        8^th Kyu (II)

Craig Forrester                     8^th Kyu (I)

Nikki Athanasiadou              8^th Kyu

Gabby Antosova                    8^th Kyu (II)

In November 1986, a young Steve McKenzie first entered the dojo of what then called St Ann's Shukokai Karate Club.  Now 21 years later, and after seeing the club through many changes, including the renaming to Takumi Karate Do.  Steve has decided to call YAMAE on his teaching career within karate.  He feels it is time to hand the reigns over to the next generation of instructors and allow them to make their mark on the club.  Over the years he has seen many students grow from being timid little juniors into strong, confident seniors approaching adulthood, many of which have felt like extended family to him.  Steve will continue to train in Karate and Kobujutsu, but on his own time due to work and other commitments and he has vowed to pop back now and then to train with the club.  We wish him well and look forward to stepping onto the tatami again with him in the near future. - February 2008

Dan Grading Success For Jim & Carolyn

After a very successful course with Sensei Harry Cook (7th Dan), Takumi Karate held a Dan Grading for two of its main instructors, Sempai Jim Bailey and Sempai Carolyn Fisher.  Both were grading for San-Dan (3rd Dan) and after a superb display of technique and understanding during the Kata & Bunkai sections, together with Padwork, Knife Defence, Kumite and Combinations, both were successful in and awarded the grade of San-Dan.

Congratulations to both of you from all at Takumi, you have done us proud.  January 2008

This award was created in memory of  Sense McKenzie's father - Stephen John McKenzie, who had a major influence on his martial arts training.  Although not a martial artist, Mr McKenzie always supported his son and encouraged him to do his best.  He was also a practical man who would often come out with his own "pearls of wisdom".

Whilst watching a martial arts movie together many years ago,  Mr McKenzie commented on how "not very good" the main character was, as he kept having to the hit the bad guys more than once.  What a waist of time and effort he said!  Although only a film, it made Steve think about how techniques must be practical and effective. 

Unlike previous years, this years candidates included instructors from the club as it was felt that their efforts sometime go un-noticed.

This years recipient was Sempai Carolyn Fisher and she was presented with the shield at the start of class on Monday 10th December 2007.  She later commented that "she was well chuffed as it was totally unexpected". (photos to follow).

Previous recipients: