News:

38^th Shotokan of England Invitations

Portsmouth Karate Club comes out on top

Clubs from across the country flocked to Portsmouth on Saturday 15^th November to compete in the 38^th Shotokan of England Invitations at the Mountbatten Centre.

 The annual event sees competitors of all ages come together to display their talents.

 The members of Portsmouth Karate Club involved in Saturday's competition proved their skill on home turf with a tally of six gold and five bronze medals in both adult and junior events.

 Third dan black belt Dave Galloway stole the show winning the men's black belt kata, kumite and team kumite along with team-mates Keith Williams (fourth dan black belt) and Graham Rowley (third dan black belt).

 In addition Keith Williams came third in the men's black belt kumite and Emma Williams picked up a bronze in the women's black belt kata.

 It also was a day of medals for Rob Wheldrake and Chris Farndell who both picked up gold in the men's brown belt kata and men's brown belt kumite respectively.

 The club's junior members didn't disappoint either, Joe Crowe, who recently achieved his black belt after four years of training, came out top in the boy's individual kumite.

 Kelvin Hunt (purple belt) stood out among a high standard of competitors in the junior kata to win bronze. Kelvin was joined by his brother Brandon (red belt) and another Portsmouth Karate Club member Brian Garcia (yellow belt) to come fourth in junior team kata, this was a great achievement considering most of the other competitors were black and brown belts!

 Brian Garcia also picked up joint third in the three-step fighting with Carmen Fitzgerald (white belt). Through the rounds Carmen managed to pick off two brown belts to secure her medal.

 Club instructor Sensei Stacey Crowe said: "I am so pleased with the club's achievements as the standards were very high at the 38^th Portsmouth Invitations. It demonstrates the hard work and dedication of all the club members."

 "It is especially inspiring for the younger members of the club to see seniors do so incredibly well."

 It was a great day for the many spectators with a whole host of nail biting moments to keep them entertained.

 Spectators are always welcome at the competitions, the next being the SEKU National Championships on Saturday 21^st March at the Mountbatten Centre.

 

 

Dan Grade Success

 Joe Crowe (12) became the latest member of Portsmouth Karate Club to achieve the Shodan grade at the October black and brown belt course at Portchester Karate Club.

 Joe, who has been training for approximately 4 years, is also becoming well-known on the competition circuit.

 After an intensive three hour training session Joe was put through his paces in Kion techniques, Kumite and Kata, of which his free choice Kata was Bassai Dai.

 Well done Joe!  

 

 

Club mini-cruise

 Thank you to everyone who joined us on our recent club trip to St Malo on the weekend of the 20^th to the 21^st of September.

 We sailed out from Portsmouth on Saturday evening on the Brittany Ferries ship, the Bretagne. Once on board our group of 23 enjoyed a four course meal in the restaurant before heading to the bar to get involved in an evening of Cabaret.

 Many of our group took part in the cabaret acts, which included musicians, singers and even an illusionist. The illusionist's glamorous assistants for the evening were none other than Karyn Galloway, Hannah Day, Karen Crowe and the birthday boy (!) himself, Matt Powell.

 We arrived in St Malo early the next morning, and our bleary-eyed group took a wander into the historic town for a croissant and coffee. We then returned to the ship to catch up on our sleep during the journey back, or in some of the groups' case a day in the bar!

 A special thanks goes to our group members from the Isle of Wight (Mark and Lisa Elliot), Saltash (Hannah Day and Steve Hollister), and Lovedean (Terry and Heidi Oliver). Portsmouth members attending were: Mick and Maureen Dewey, The Crowe Family, Graham Rowley and Lisa Ansell, Keith and Emma Williams, Matt Powell and Karyn Galloway, Dave and Natalie Galloway, Rob Maynard and Colin and Gill Galloway.

 We mustn't forget a special mention to Gill Galloway for organising the amazing weekend.

 Happy Days  - Portsmouth Karate Club

don't forget to have a look at our photos in the gallary. 

SEKU Kartate Competition 2008

The SEKU Annual Kartate Competition took place Saturday 15th March at the usual venue - the Mountbatten Centre, Alexandra Park.  Portsmouth Karate Club was once again on top form and took home a total of 4 Golds, 2 Silvers and 7 Bronze medals.

Mens Team Kumite: Gold -Dave Galloway, Graham Rowley, Keith Williams, Rob Maynard

Mens Individual Kumite: Gold -Dave Galloway

Mens Individual Black Belt Kata: Silver -Dave Galloway, Bronze - Keith Williams & Phill Grimes

Womens Individual Kumite: Silver -Stephanie Cass

Womens Individual Black Belt Kata: Bronze -Emma Williams & Stephanie Cass

Youths Individual Kumite: Bronze -Rob Maynard

Boys Individual Kumite Under 5ft: Bronze -Joe Crowe

Pee Wee Sanbon Kumite: Gold -Brian Garcia, Bronze - Brandon Hunt

Pee Wee Kata: Gold -Brian Garcia

Congratulations to all the those that entered and many thanks to the officials and supporters.

Portsmouth Kartate Club Members Play Key Part as SEKU Shine at The Legend Competition 2008

It turned out to be another succesful day for the SEKU Team Squad at the Legend Championships in Bracknell Saturday 23 February 2008.  The SEKU squad is made up of many karateka from across the country and representatives from Portsmouth Karate Club included; Dave Galloway, Graham Rowley, Rob Maynard and Joe Crowe.

Portsmouth Karate Club representatives were involved in achieving:

5 Man Team Kumite: Gold -Dave Galloway (Portsmoth), Graham Rowley (Portsmouth), Lee Holister (Saltash), Rob Edge (Saltash), Matt Powell (Portchester)

Mixed  Team Kumite: Gold -Dave Galloway (Portsmouth), Tracy Corby (Plymouth), Matt Powell (Portchester)

Mens Team Kumite 3man: Gold -Dave Galloway (Portsmouth), Graham Rowley (Portsmouth), Matt Powell (Portchester)

Mens Individual Kumite: Silver -Dave Galloway

Junior Under 5ft Kumite: Gold - Joe Crowe

For a full list of the performance of the SEKU Squad at the Legend Competetion 2008 checkout http://www.seku.co.uk/