LATEST NEWS

Latest updates from across the academy

KARATE PIONEER VISITS BRISTOL
By Admin
16 March 2020 8:15 pm
Pictured: Sensei Sherry and Bristol Karate Academy members and guests after class 1.
Pictured: Sensei Sherry and Bristol Karate Academy members and guests after class 1.
We were delighted to host the KUGB's chief instructor, Sensei Andy Sherry (9th Dan) on Sunday 15th March. With over 50 karateka coming together - including visitors from a number of clubs across the South West - the course was a great success. 

The visit also incorporated a coloured belt grading, where - after a rigorous examination - over 20 members were promoted to their next belt. Congratulations to all those that passed!

Sensei Sherry turns 77 this year but he shows absolutely no sign of slowing up. While coronavirus meant that the shaking of hands was off the agenda, a welcoming elbow bump that was akin to a solid 'empi uchi' elbow strike was the first sign of this!

Sensei was making his eighth visit to see us, having been the first ever examiner to visit our club back in 2013. The circumstances of this latest visit were more difficult than usual on this occasion. The COVID-19 pandemic meant that this was likely to be our last seminar for some time and it was less than a week since Sensei Poynton passed away, who Sensei Sherry was very close to. In Sensei Poynton's honour we opened proceedings with a minute's silence and also closed the dan grade class that followed the grading with the same. 

We thank Sensei Sherry for taking the time out of his busy schedule to come to visit us and look forward to training with him once again, once the pandemic has passed and it is safe to do so.