Bristol Karate Academy

Congratulations to Ian Connell on passing his 4th Dan and Finn Westcott on passing his crossover 3rd Dan in Nottingham on Sunday 19th October.

The grading was held under a senior JKS England panel, led by Alan Campbell Sensei (8th Dan JKS), with Yamaguchi Takashi Sensei (7th Dan), the JKS Director of International Affairs.

Sensei Ian Connell’s karate journey started in 2004 at Bristol Karate Academy’s Backwell dojo, passing his black belt after eight years of continuous training, his 2nd Dan three years later and his 3rd Dan under Alan Sensei in a post-COVID grading in the summer of 2021. Throughout this time, Ian has demonstrated an exceptional level of dedication to the art and to others at the dojo. He’s always challenged himself to improve and tested himself at tournaments too, with his first JKS national medal coming in the Veteran Kumite at the JKS England National Championships in 2014.

Ian Sensei is just the fourth member of the Academy to reach 4th Dan level, with another being his own son, fellow Academy instructor, Steven Connell. We’re exceptionally proud him and his achievement and look forward to seeing his continued progress in the art in the future.

Finn Westcott first came to Bristol Karate Academy in 2023, having started karate in 2008 when he was 8 years old. Since joining the Academy, Finn has shown an interest in both developing his kata and also competitive karate. Just this year, Finn has picked up medals at the Harlow Open, Southern Open in Canterbury and the JKS Development Series in Bristol, where he earned a silver in kata and a silver in kumite. Finn has been keen to progress his karate with the JKS and taking his grading was the next natural step.

In the examination itself, his performance of the kata Gankaku was solid and his kumite was confident, making the decision to pass him a straightforward one for the examiners.

Well done to both Ian and Finn on your achievements!

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