The day after the English National Championships we had the pleasure of a 5 hour karate session with 2012 European Kata champion Emma Lucraft who is still Britain’s highest ranking kata lady on the world ranking list.

Originally Shotokan as are we she now specialises in Shito –Ryu kata which we are just branching into. I have taught 3 Shito – Ryu kata and some of our students look brilliant doing them already so it was time to call in some external advice to help us progress further.

All I can say is it is the swiftest 5 hours of karate I have done in my life. The kids loved it and so did I. I am trying to get Emma back very quickly to do another session and this time I want a more basic session to start the day so some of my lower grades can benefit too.

Shito –ryu kata rightly or wrongly is in vogue big time on the competition circuit. My older girls know this is the way forward. A decently performed Shito-ryu kata will beat a well performed Shotokan kata 9 times out of 10.

Sad fact. But at least it gives us a new challenge, and Dokan like challenges.

Tags: Seminars, 2015