Congratulations to Sensei Neil Andrews

Congratulations to Sensei Neil Andrews, Director of Karate for Bushido Budo Kai, who achieved promotion to 3rd Dan Shotokan Karate on Sunday.

His grading was an arduous test of physical and mental stamina covering chritera such as technical ability, Kumite, Kata and ability to teach.

Sensei Andrews started Karate 21 years ago following some trouble on a night out leadinging him to search for a method of defending himself.

His passion and dedication to the Art has lead him to realise the other qualities that the study of Shotokan Karate can bring: self discipline, control, flexibility, fitness, responsibility and respect for himself and those around him.

You can find out more about Shotokan Karate and Sensei Andrews at www.bskkarate.com

Christmas dates for Tora Judo Kai clubs

These are the Christmas closing dates for the Tora Judo Kai clubs:

Oasis - last session 18 December, restarting 8 January
Crockerne - last session 17 December, restarting 7 January
Pill (Thursday evenings) - last session 20 December, restarting 3 January
Pill (Friday evenings) - last session 14 December, restarting 11 January
Hanham - last session 19 December, restarting 16 January
Kingswood - last session 15 December, restarting 13 January
Lanson - last session 14 December, restarting 11 January

Grading results

Thank you so much for everyone’s contribution to Sunday's grading. Everyone can be proud of their performances on the day and I am particularly pleased with the high technical standard.

The grades awarded were as follows:

Judo (juniors)
Tom Eden Bull - Orange + 3
Howard Carn - Orange + 2

Miles Carn - Orange + 2
Tom Kessler - Orange + 2
Matthew Wise - Orange + 2
Connor Hill - White + 3
Tristan Wren - Yellow + 3
Jamie Judd - Yellow
Jo Eden Bull - White + 2
Steffan Plaw - White + 2
Thomas Bradley - White + 1
Chris Bretton - White + 1
Sam Bretton - White + 1
Edith Powell - White + 1
James Thomas - White + 1

Judo (seniors)
Iain Bruce - Sho Dan
Renz Vallejera - Sho Dan
Lewis Hepburn - Brown
Lizzie Foley - Blue
Chloe Robyns-Landricombe - Blue
Jon Whittingham - Green
Phil Whittingham - Green
Chantelle Hooper - Orange
Kelly Hughes - Orange
Danny Kendall - Orange
Bethanie Withers - Orange
Rod Wren - Orange
Russ Hacker - Yellow
James Maslen - Yellow
Darren Robbins - Yellow

Ju-jitsu
Neil Andrews - Green
Ian Llewellin - Green
Draven Powe - Green
Danny Kendell - White
James Maslen - White

It is with great pride that I welcome two new Judo Sho Dans to the fold. I am extremely happy for them but can temper that by knowing the responsibility and expectation that is placed on their shoulders. Now the hard work really starts.

The icing on the cake was to have senior members from our association Bushido Budo Kai visit Pill Dojo to watch and give feedback on the grading. Special thanks to Senseis Paul Leavey, Rod Hayward and Neil Andrews.

Sensei Steve Chappell 

Tora Judo Kai Christmas Party!

The Tora Judo Kai Christmas Party will be held at the Pill Memorial Club (Lodway, Pill, BS20 0DH) on Saturday 15th December from 5pm.

From 5-6pm: come along and enjoy a great evening of judo-related activities for both juniors and seniors run by Senseis Steve Chappell and Ian Llewellin. Don't forget your judogis, and bring some nice clothes to get changed into after.

6.30pm: Buffet

7pm to 11.30pm: Disco

Families and friends are all invited.

Raffle prizes needed! Please give them to Rebecca Maslen before or bring them on the day

£6 Individual Ticket
£20 Family Ticket
5 years and below for free
Deadline for ticket orders (through your club): Saturday 8th December 2012

Newsletter - October 2012

The October issue of the Tora Judo Kai newsletter

Bronze medal at Yate Star newaza competition

Congratulations to Tora Judo Kai's Jon Whittingham who won a bronze medal at the Yate Star newaza competition. Here he is lined up with his fellow medal winners!

Tora Judo Kai Low Grades Competition 2012

Well done to everyone who took part in today's competition at Parish Wharf leisure centre. The results were as follows:

Under 25kg
Boys
Gold - Alastair Fusco, Ronindo Budo Kai
Silver - Zach McMurray, Kingsley School Judo Club
Bronze - Jake Richards, Weston-Super-Mare
Bronze - Owen Davis, Yate Star

Under 30kg
Girls
Gold - Kitty Lavelle, Kingsley School Judo Club
Silver - Felicity Barker, Kingsley School Judo Club
Bronze - Amy Rossiter, Weston-Super-Mare

Boys
Gold - Joe Beard, Ronindo Budo Kai
Silver - Louis Stillwell, Ronindo Budo Kai
Bronze - Josh Steer, Kingsley School Judo Club
Bronze - Oliver Stacey, Kingsley School Judo Club

Under 35kg
Girls
Gold - Lauren Hill, Ronindo Budo Kai
Silver - Charis Oram, Yate Star
Bronze - Lemonie Georgiou, Weston-Super-Mare

Boys
Gold - Ethan Boland-White, Shepton Judo Club
Silver - Toby Reed, Shepton Judo Club
Bronze - Ben Bassett, Ronindo Budo Kai
Bronze - Jake Marshall, Shepton Judo Club

Under 40kg
Boys
Gold - Ozzy Gowen, Patchway
Silver - Kolya Schwinge, Ronindo Budo Kai
Bronze - Lewis Aston-Farr, Team Bath
Bronze - Cameron Lavelle, Kingsley School Judo Club

Under 45kg
Girls
Gold - Scarlett Hodge, Ronindo Budo Kai
Silver - Lauren Hill, Sea Mills
Bronze - Lilly Hastie, Kingsley School Judo Club

Boys
Gold - Finley Norton, Sea Mills
Silver - Tristan Wren, Tora Judo Kai
Bronze - Austin Harling, Weston-Super-Mare
Bronze - Oliver Smith, Ronindo Budo Kai

Under 50kg
Boys
Gold - Louis Hughes, Kingsley School Judo Club
Silver - Kane Hill, Sea Mills
Bronze - Danny Rogers, Kingsley School Judo Club

Under 60kg
Girls
Gold - Kristy Hill, Sea Mills
Silver - Cody White, Weston-Super-Mare

Boys
Gold - Elliott Sutcliffe, Kingsley School Judo Club
Silver - Jamie Parish, Kingsley School Judo Club
Bronze - Jamie Judd, Tora Judo Kai
Bronze - Connor Santo, Weston-Super-Mare

Under 65kg 
Boys
Gold - Matthew Wheeldon, Bristol Judo
Silver - James Fay, Kingsley School Judo Club
Bronze - Josh Carter, Ronindo Budo Kai
Bronze - James Perry - Shepton Judo Club

Over 65kg 
Boys
Gold - Jake Barnett, Shepton Judo Club
Silver - Daniel Williams, Frome

Intermediate Girls
Gold - Kristy Hill, Sea Mills
Silver - Lizzie Foley, Tora Judo Kai

Senior Men
Under 80kg
Gold - Jon Whittingham, Tora Judo Kai
Silver - Phil Whittingham, Tora Judo Kai
Bronze - Martin Buckingham, Ronindo Budo Kai
Bronze - Darren Robins, Tora Judo Kai

Over 80kg
Gold - Daniel Lloyd, Sea Mills
Silver - Rob Hill, Bristol Judo
Bronze - Ian Rossiter, Weston-Super-Mare
Bronze - John Baker, Shepton Judo Club

Newsletter - August 2012

The August issue of the Tora Judo Kai newsletter

NEW HANHAM TRAINING TIMES

PLEASE NOTE: With affect from Wednesday 5th September the Hanham Dojo has new training times and a NEW Senior Judo session.

The new session times are:

Junior Judo       6.30-7.30
Senior Judo      7.30-8.30
Ju-Jitsu             8.30-9.30

Newsletter - July 2012

The July issue of the Tora Judo Kai newsletter

Dave Chappell 6th Dan - Rokudan

On Sunday 8th July Sensei Dave Chappell was presented his Rokudan (6th Dan Judo) by Hanshi Roy Hancock.

The award has been made following 58 years dedicated to the Martial Art of Judo and the founding of the highly successful Tora Judo Kai club 18 years ago. The direct instructions from B.B.K. Patron Sensei Bill Burnside 8th Dan Judo and the B.B.K board of Directors has allowed Sensei Dave Chappell to realise his dream of the coveted Red and White Belt.

Showcasing judo in Bristol's Millennium Square

Tora Judo Kai coaches and members will be taking part in a London 2012 Live Site - Bristol in Millennium Square on Thursday 2nd and Friday 10th August. Come and watch a demonstration of judo given by judoka from Tora Judo Kai and other local clubs between 10am and 6pm. This is all part of the additional activity being put on at the London 2012 Live Site - Bristol to complement the screening of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Newsletter - June 2012

The June issue of the Tora Judo Kai newsletter

Paintball - Saturday 25 August

Judo at Pill - changes in July / August

On Friday 20th July there is not going to be a Junior Judo Session at Pill. Instead, all available instructors are invited to attend a session regarding Judo within TJK and our plans for the second half of the year. We will also be needing your input on code of conduct. This session will start at 7pm.

From 8.30pm to 9.30pm we will have the standard adults session (all adults and intermediates can attend) but focusing on higher level work and randori to finish.

Please can you confirm your attendance to Sensei Steve Chappell asap.

There is no Judo on 3rd August as there is Aikido taking place in the hall.

Our Low Grade Comp is booked for Sun 7th Oct. Please get it in your diaries as we will need people available to help out.

Grading results

Congratulations to everyone who graded at the Pill Dojo yesterday - it was a very good day with high standards demonstrated!

The grades awarded were as follows:

Ju-Jitsu
Josh Radnedge -Yellow
Draven Powe - Orange
Ian Llewellin - Orange
Chris Baber - Blue

Judo (Seniors)
Rod Wren - Yellow
Danny Kendall - Yellow
Jon Whttingham - Orange
Phil Whittingham - Orange
Lizzie Foley - Green
Natasha Maslen - 1st Dan Black

Judo (Juniors)
Matthew Gleeson - Yellow
Jim Schofield - Yellow
Danny Bennett - Yellow
Tristan Wren - Yellow
Matthew Wise - Orange
Howard Carn - Orange
Miles Carn - Orange
Tom Kessler - Orange
Tom Eden-Bull - Orange + 1
Sam Kessler - Orange + 3
Aaron Llewellin - Orange + 3

Judo (Primary)
Each were attending their first grading in a formal setting as an introduction to becoming a Junior. Each of the following judoka were awarded a Black tab in recognition of this achievement:
Jay Akbar
James Thomas
Joe Eden-Bull

Tora Judo Kai Crockerne Interclub Results

Congratulations to everyone who took part in Tora Judo Kai's Interclub competition on Saturday. The results were as follows:

Group 1
Gold: Danny Bennett
Silver: Arial Rugman
Bronze: Cameron Whittingham

Group 2
Gold: Tristen Wren
Silver: Matthew Wise
Bronze: Miles Carn

Group 3
Gold: Thomas Kessler
Silver: Jamie Judd
Bronze: Matthew Gleeson

Group 4
Gold: Chloe Landricombe
Silver: Sam Kessler
Bronze: Jon Whittingham

May Martial Arts Course

This was the first year Bushido Budo Kai took on the running of this course which is held in dedication to the late Sensei Bob Bridges and his wife Diane. It was also an opportunity to remember the late Michael Benfel Hanshi who was a great supporter of the coarse.

A new format new location and some great instructors from many different disciplines working together injected great energy to this coarse that has been running in one form or another for over 25 years.

A great time was had by all who took part in and watched the course also enjoying the excellent facilities at Woolacombe Bay and surrounding areas.

Newsletter - April 2012

The April issue of the Tora Judo Kai newsletter

New kata class at Pill (Thursday evenings)

A new kata lesson is now available at Pill Dojo on Thursdays from 6.30pm until 7.30pm, with the regular judo session following on at 7.30pm until 9pm.

The mat fee to take part in both the kata and judo sessions is £5.

Newsletter - March 2012

The first issue of Tora Judo Kai's newsletter 

Pictures from TJK Invitational competition

Thanks for Ian and Aaron Llewellin for these superb pictures of Sunday's competition