Every student that trains at Cambridge Goju Ryu and successfully grades to shodan (first level black belt) is awarded an embroidered black belt (obi) from Shureido 'The World Famous Brand from the Birthplace of Karate'. It isn't always possible to award the black belt at the time of grading as the belt can take 2 months to make and then a few more weeks for shipping. We were very pleased to receive news from South Africa this week, that our former student Cameron Frew was presented with his very own Shureido black belt by Sensei Elrie Bosman. 

The last time Sensei George taught in Cambridge was at our 10 year club anniversary early in 2020, so it was an absolute pleasure to welcome him back. Training this year was held over two days, with separate sessions for the children and the adult black and brown belts on Saturday 17th, followed by a 3 hour class on Sunday 18th for all adults. We were also delighted to welcome karate friends from outside of our club. Sensei Luke Smith and his student Geoff had travelled all the way from Hereford, and they were able to enjoy the full weekend and see some of Cambridge. Those that joined our online classes during the pandemic will have already met both virtually so it was great to be able to train together in the dojo. From the South we had a contingent from Three Valleys Karate, Sensei Steve Johnson and his students, always a pleasure training with like minded practitioners of Goju Ryu regardless of affiliation. Martin Pinto flew the flag for our sister clubs in Essex. Taking the prize for the furthest travelled was (Huggy) David McNaught, all the way from Singapore!

Training covered a lot of basics, both static and moving, impact work, self defense practice and some time at the end of each session for kata. Thanks to everyone that supported this event, and to Sensei for making the trip up to Cambridge.

Congratulations to Victor and Shyane for passing their gradings at class this evening!

Training at the Cass Centre dojo, Cambridge University Press, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 8BS
Children's class 10.30-11.30 - normal class fees apply
Adult's class for black and brown belt only 11.45-13.15 - £10 (godan and above free of charge)

Training at Impington Sports Centre, New Rd, Impington, Cambridge CB24 9LX
Adult's class for all grades 10.00-13.00 - £25 or £30 for both days (godan and above free of charge)

On Friday 21st April a few members of the club, joined by Sensei Dave Amber, caught the Eurostar out of St Pancras, destination Brussels. We were met at Gare du Midi by Isobelle, one of our friends from the Brussels Goju Ryu club. We were taken to the gymnasium in Auderghem, which would be our dojo for the weekend. We were the first students to arrive, but when we were called to line up, we had been joined by over 100 other students. Our instructor for the weekend was Bakkies Sensei, a 9th dan Goju Ryu master from South Africa.

The focus of the weekend was on getting the basics right, detail of junbi undo and lots of kihon, together with footwork. Everyone put their best into the training and the atmosphere was great. Our hosts were incredible, ensuring that we were transported between the dojo and our accommodation, and to the sayonara party and back. Many thanks to Sensei Marc and Els for organising another first class gasshuku and to their wonderful club members. Thanks to Sensei Patrick for always extending such a warm welcome, and sharing his superb beer! Last but not least, our deepest gratitude to Bakkies Sensei for his insightful teaching, motivation and great sense of humour.

Our evening classes are for adults only, but we make the occasional exception. Last Summer we welcomed 16-year old Cameron Frew to the club following a move with his family to the UK. Cameron started training in Goju Ryu at the young age of six under Sensei Elrie Bosman, in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. As a member of Karate-do International, he attended many gasshuku, both at home and abroad. Cameron also competed in numerous events, including the World Championships in Florida, USA, at which he achieved 4th place in his division.

On Sunday 5th March, Cameron attended the Black Belt grading session at the OTGKA honbu dojo. As the only junior (under 18), he trained alongside 10 adult grading candidates, including 6 taking their yondan (4th dan) tests. After training for 3 hours in the morning, the grading started at 2pm. The grading took 2 hours, covering basic techniques, san dan gi, kata, pad work and the final 'spirit test'. It gives us great pleasure to announce that Cameron successfully passed to Junior Shodan (1st dan), under the watchful eyes of the grading panel: Sensei George Andrews 8th dan, Sensei Dave Amber 6th dan and Sensei Dick Lovett 5th dan. 

Unfortunately, Cameron could only stay with us in Cambridge for a short time, but we know that we'll train together again - perhaps a club trip to South Africa! We wish him all the best, knowing that black belt is only the first step, Ganbatte Kudasai!

We don't hold gradings very often, so when we do they seem to bring a special energy to the dojo. We held two gradings this week, with the adults first on Thursday. Congratulations to Virginia (4th kyu, purple/white), Mike (8th kyu, orange), Joe (8th kyu, orange) and Nisan (9th kyu, yellow).

It was the children's turn today and they all performed brilliantly. Congratulations to Luke (5th kyu, purple), Oscar (5th kyu, purple), Kim (7th kyu, green), Iden (8th kyu, orange), Edward (8th kyu, orange), Bea (9th kyu, yellow), Seth (9th kyu, yellow), Ivy (white, 3 red stripes) and Sidar (white, 3 red stripes).

As Christmas approaches we are now taking a break for a couple of weeks. The last children's class of the year was on Saturday 17th December. The first half of the class included practice of ten tsuki (heaven strikes) and tai sabaki (body movement) exercises. In the second half the students pushed themselves to complete 108 burpees (or star jumps as we call them). At the end of the class Sensei Fabio gave a wonderful demonstration of Sepai kata.

The last class for the adults was held this evening, and in keeping with tradition of previous years we completed 108 kata. However, to try something new, rather than practicing Gekisai Dai Ichi, we completed Renzoku Bunkai 108 times, also known as Chokusen Gekisai Dai Ichi.

Thanks to all of our students for their support this year. We're looking forward to returning to training on Thursday 5th January 2023.

For many years Sensei George Andrews has held a gasshuku in Koh Samui, Thailand. These events attract students from around the world, for training in paradise. In 2014 Sensei Louise took her sandan grading test at this gasshuku. At this event we met for the first time Sensei Radhika from Singapore, who we met up with a few years later while on holiday in Singapore. We also had the pleasure of meeting Sensei Gavin Hill from Australia.

On Thursday 11th, as his time in the UK draws to an end, Sensei Martin drove Sensei Gavin down to Basildon to teach at Sensei Dave Amber's club.

We look forward to training and sharing a few beers again at future gasshuku, hopefully Okinawa in 2023.

At the end of a very hot week in Cambridge, so hot that we closed the dojo on Tuesday, we surprised our junior members with a grading on Saturday. Many congratulations to Edward and Iden passing to 9th kyu (yellow belt) and to Kim passing to 8th kyu (orange belt).