Bristol Karate Academy

What do you do to help you prepare for a tournament? Just one of the questions asked of JKS England Grand Champion, Sensei Thea Priest, at Saturday’s special seminar held for Bristol Karate Academy members and guests.

Thea Sensei, who will be heading to the JKS World Championships later this year, taught two back-to-back sessions in Backwell, demonstrating why she’s one to watch both at tournaments across the UK – and in Japan in July. Split equally between kata and kumite, Thea’s skills inspired everyone that attended.

The chosen katas of the day were Enpi and Unsu – both used regularly by Thea Sensei on the competition circuit. In the senior grade class, a demonstration performance of Unsu showed how she was been able to pick up medals at every tournament she entered in 2023. An incredible record.

When it was time for kumite, Thea Sensei worked on quick front hand punches, defensive kicking and hook kicks, working with everyone from white belt to dan grade. By the looks on everyone’s faces, it was certainly a crowd pleaser. And useful for our competitors to see some of the techniques that they can now take away, hone and add to their repertoire.

Between the junior and senior grade classes, members made the most of the Q&A session to find out more about Thea Sensei’s tournament preparations, mindset and training regime. It was great to be able to find out more from a leading JKS England competitor.

The seminar was a fundraiser for Thea Sensei’s upcoming world championship trip. With flights alone costing four figures, JKS squad athletes need all the support they can get to represent JKS England in Japan.

If you would like to help support the JKS England squad, you can donate using JKS England’s JustGiving page or you can join the upcoming fundraising seminar with Senseis Remi Jurgilaitis, Tom Little and Bristol’s own Tim Griffiths at the Walsall Dojo on Sunday 19th May. Ticket details to be made available shortly.

Thanks to Thea Sensei for visiting us and to our members and guests for supporting the event and being part of another inspirational event.

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