Club of the week
This week’s Reformer Club of the Week is Kihonkai Karate Club with sports reporter Murray Spooner.
Instructor Stevie Mason has been involved with Kihonkai since it is birth in 1987 and watched it produce some of the region’s finest sportsmen and women.
The club train seven days a week in Stonelaw High School and other venues across South Lanarkshire and East Kilbride.
They also recently hosted the KWF European Championships and are often involved in major karate competitions.
To witness the good work behind the scenes, I visited Stevie and his class for a Thursday evening session.
He took me through the three stages of practice and helped my posture and punching technique.
A breathing exercise also helped my balance and I was invited to watch sparring between the members.
In what was a fun and enjoyable evening, Stevie was a pleasure to learn from and I found the sport fun and easy to pick up.
Stevie also talked through the clubs history and why people should join the club. champions. We have had several world and national champions.
Kihonkai Karate Club started in 1987, our first instructors were myself and Jim Griffin, former members/ instructors at Lenbukai Karate Club.
In 1991 Mr Griffin retired from karate training, the club was renamed Kihonkai Academy and has gone from strength to strength. From our first training session in the Strathclyde Park we have gone on to open many venues in South and North Lanarkshire.
We affiliated with traditional shotokan groups. In 2001 we joined Karatenomichi World Federation, a Japanese karate group under the leadership of the world renowned instructor Mikio Yahara.
Kihonkai have classes seven days a week, we are a full-time professional karate academy.
Like all clubs we find it difficult getting suitable venues and getting funding for championships. All students fund themselves to trips to Japan to compete at world level.
Kihonkai was the first karate group to attain South Lanarkshire’s Club SL Award. We actively take part in Sports Scotland Active Schools program. We go into schools to promote health and wellbeing through karate practice.
Every new member can train free for the first month as a trial. We have family discounts and can offer free uniforms.
Most people’s goal is to achieve a black belt. With regular training , two to four days per week, this can be accomplished in four years. To reach international competing level, this takes many years and commitment from the student, parents, instructors and coaches.
Kihonkai have students who started when they were five years old and are now 18 and
Notwithstanding the many health benefits regular exercise gives all ages, karate training at Kihonkai will give the members regular training and competing opportunities with top instructors. As a traditional group we install discipline, respect , confidence and most importantly fun. We want the members to enjoy karate as much as we do.
I have over 30 years teaching and training experience, and I am a member of the KWF prestigious International Masters Panel and an international level referee and judge. We arrange trips at national and international seminars and competitions. We give you a month free training and hopefully many years of karate training.
Joining is as simple as a quick call or email, we will get back to you within 12 hours. Or check our website for your nearest venue and pop in to watch or take part.
Web: lanarkshirekarate@live. co.uk, email: lanarkshirekarate@ live.co.uk, Facebook: www. facebook.com/ kihonkaikarateacademy.
Tel: 0141 250 7561, Mobile: 07950 195 616, Twitter: @ kwfscotland.