MARTIAL ARTS
Kyokushinkai Karate
THE SCOTTISH Open tournament, which is run by Iain Rodger from the Oban and Lochgilphead clubs, was great success with all those who took part vowing to return next year. There were very few Scottish fighters in the mix but Karen Paterson from the Lochgilphead Kyokushinkai Karate club took a second place in the ladies’ novice category, which has spurred Karen on and she is now in training for the Irish Open in June.
Darryl McLaughlin has sustained an injury and now won’t compete at the Kyokushin Cup in Glasgow on April 7. His sights are now set on the Irish Open in June and the British Open in October.
Darryl was this week awarded his embroidered black belt after his successful grading in December.
If you are interested in learning Kyokushinkai Karate, contact Iain Rodger on: 07584 166542 or iain@ikku.co.uk
Kickboxing
Senshi Do Kick Boxing students Cody and Henley McCulloch, Daniel and Gracie Hill, Adam, Billy and Robbie Bratton, Lewis May and Logan Galbraith are all training hard to take part in the Kyokushin Karate tournament in Glasgow on the April 7. This will be the third time students from Oban have taken part in this full contact tournament where the aim is to knock your opponent to the floor or impress the judges enough with good strong technique and show of spirit that they award you the win if there have been no knockdowns in the match.
The rest of the students are working towards the grading on Saturday March 24 when they hope to achieve there next belt on the journey to the coveted black belt.
Sundays have seen the return of the women-only sessions at 1pm. This is designed for women who would like to start a martial art but are put off by the idea of joining a club where there are men who have been training for a while. It’s worth pointing out that martial artists are some of the least judgemental people there are when it comes to beginners as they all know how hard it is to start the journey and want to help people begin theirs.
For more details, contact Wullie Rodger on 07588 513618, shia hanwill@gmail.com, or pop in to the club on Wednesdays 4.30pm juniors, 6pm seniors, Fridays 4.30pm juniors, 6pm seniors or Sundays 11am juniors over seven and 1pm women only.
Shukokai Karate
Argyll Shukokai are currently working towards the next grading test which will be held at the end of April. With over 50 students training at the three dojos, the organisation is currently looking for a central location to hold the grading, with Dalmally looking possible with its new community centre and modern facilities.
Anyone looking for more details should contact Kenny Gray on kenni.gray@btinternet.com
BJJ
Oban BJJ has had a busy month with promotions to blue belt for Ewan and Callum Weir from Appin and Craig Cameron all getting their well deserved new coloured belt.
On February 25 a team from the club travelled to Ravenscraig to join more than 400 other practitioners from 51 teams across the UK to participate in the West of Scotland winter cup.
This tournament may have been the club’s most successful tournament to date with every student who competed ending up on the podium.
Liam Roberts surpassed all expectations getting a bronze in gi and winning gold in nogi, looking polished and confident throughout his fights and showed tremendous improvement.
Ruarigh Black after only three months’ training improved in every match and can be pleased with a hard-fought bronze in nogi.
Mateusz Grabiec dominated both his gi and nogi divisions, submitting all his opponents on his way to two golds, Dawid Loukil and Tomasz Kapusta rounded of the day with a gold, silver and bronze.
After the tournament, the club got the great news that, of the 51 teams, they finished third overall with only the powerhouse gyms Aberdeen Combat Centre and Griphouse above them.
BJJ is on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 7.30pm. Anyone looking for more information about BJJ and MMA classes should contact club coach Iain (Coogie) Potter on coogiepots@ gmail.com