Sobell students travel to the usa taking part in the 51 th iskf  master camp  and international goodwill tournament

In the traditional karate world, Sensei David Jones (8th Dan) really needs no introduction. Chief Instructor for ISKF Alberta, Chairman of ISKF Canada, member of the prestigious ISKF Technical Committee, A-class instructor and A-class international referee, very few people can match his credentials and experience.
It was an honour, therefore, to welcome Sensei Jones to lead the annual ISKF UK spring course in London from 28th to 30th April 2017. Over the three days, participants from around the world were treated to a masterclass in kihon, kata and kumite.
The emphasis throughout was on correct, purposeful and mindful execution of techniques to enable all karateka - whether Kyu grade or Dan grade, young or old - to improve and maximise their potential. For example, Sensei Jones highlighted the principles of contraction and expansion, and of hip rotation and hip vibration, through a series of demanding yet thoroughly enjoyable exercises. Several participants were lucky enough to be asked to demonstrate techniques for Sensei Jones, who always gave invaluable personalised feedback to help them take their karate to the next level.
Particularly memorable were the innovative kicking drills performed from the floor; the detailed analyses of advanced kata such as Sochin and Bassai Sho, including Sensei Jones's superb renditions of them; and Sensei's inspiring and often humorous karate anecdotes, including one about having practised nothing but moving up and down the dojo in basic stances for eight months non-stop 'because I wasn't happy with them'. This story neatly summarises the seriousness and determination with which true karateka seek perfection.

Sensei Ahcene Moussaoui (7th Dan), Chief Instructor of ISKF UK, would like to thank Sensei Jones for taking the time to travel so far to deliver such a successful, well-received course. Sensei Mousssoui would also like to congratulate those who deservedly passed their Dan gradings.

Saci triumphed in both the boys’ Under-5ft kumite and the junior sambon kumite, and his team-mate Yassine Adjaj also secured a gold medal in the Over-5ft junior sambon kumite category.
Adjaj added a bronze medal in the boys’ event, while Sobell also picked up a fourth gold in the men’s 7th to 1st kyu kumite event, courtesy of Del Andrew.
There were silver medals for Frank Setbol (boys’ Under-5ft kumite) and Sami Elbadawi (Over-5ft kumite) and the club also collected another four bronzes.
Those went to Sharnia Welsh (girls’ kumite), Natalia Rodregues (junior sambon Under-5ft kumite), Adam Moussaoui (peewee sambon kumite) and Teddy Seatory (peewee kata).
Seventh dan black belt Ahcene Moussaoui, who trains the Sobell fighters, said: “It was an amazing day – the team showed great spirit, attitude and etiquette.”
For more information about the club, call 07957 630 463 or visit www.sekukarate.co.uk or www.sobellkarate.com

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Sobell Karate Club claimed six gold medals – more than any other team on the day – in the SEKU Portsmouth Open tournament.
The stand-out performance came from 18-year-old Ben Tyler, who beat Harry Miller to win the final of the men’s individual black belt kumite (sparring).
Del Andrews won a gold medal in the men’s individual category (3rd to 1st kyu), while Deniz Gencyigit was victorious in the youth individual kumite.
Sohib Bousbai took first place in the boys’ individual (5ft) section, while there were also gold medals for Oussama Bousbai (junior individual kata, 3rd kyu and above) and Natalia Rodrigues (Peewee individual kata).
The squad also collected two silver medals, courtesy of Sohib Bousbai in the junior sambon kumite and Adam Saci in the Peewee individual kata.
Saci added a bronze medal in the sambon kumite, while Tyler, Gencyigit and Andrews teamed up to win bronze in the men’s team kumite.
For more information about the club, who train five days a week at Sobell Leisure Centre, call 07957 630 463 or email info.sobellkarate@gmail.com

The Islington club entered 11 students in the tournament – which attracted 850 in total – and were rewarded with one silver medal and five gold, including three for kumite.
The latter trio of medals went to Panni Hailis (boys’ 12-13 years 5ft and over), Farhan Jahur (boys’ 14-15 years 5ft and over) and Deniz Gencyigit (boys’ black belts 14-15 years).
There were also gold medals for Rakib Matin, in the cadets’ 16-20 years 8th to 4th kyu category – where Hasib Fazli also earned silver – and Del Andrews (21 and over 8th to 4th kyu).
The other members of the squad, who train five days a week at Sobell Leisure Centre, were Ben Tyler, Emma Gencyigit, Sakib Mamun, Oussama Bousba and Sami Albadawi.
Training is led by Sensei Ahcene Moussaoui, a 6th dan black belt who is an experienced international competitor and was part of Algeria’s national squad before moving to London and representing England twice at the European Championships.
There are a wide range of classes, with students ranging in age from five to 65. For more information about the club, call 07957 630 463 or email info.sobellkarate@gmail.com

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