1 Gold and 4 Bronze medals 

We are pleased to announce that the JKS Scotland squad have been successful in winning 1 Gold and 4 Bronze medals at the JKS World Invitational Championships August 1st and 2nd 2009. With over 2500 entries this was without doubt the largest championship ever seen. As expected the standard was exceptionally high and all of our squad competed fantastic with many reaching the finals also. The championship started on the Saturday for children and it was obvious right away that our squad were fired up for the occassion with many beating the japanese in round one. Day two saw the childrens final and also the adults pick up where the kids left off, again many competing to a personal best level. Also a huge congratulations to Robert Steggles who on the Saturday was successful in passing his 5th Dan examination. Many thanks to all of coaches and referee and also to our travelling supporters.

For photo of the event please click here and enter the competition folder

To view a demo by Kagawa Sensei please click here

Our winners were

Anne Higgins - Gold - Individual ladies kumite over 40yrs

Hollie Watson - Bronze - Individual girls kumite 14yrs

Sam Penman, John Douglas, Ross Stewart - Bronze - 16yrs boys team kumite

Sarah Queen, Heather Nimmo, Nikki Conlan - Bronze - Ladies team kumite

Ailsa Stryke, Kerry Ferguson, Sarah Fairley - Bronze - Ladies team kumite

Day 1: Thursday 30th July 2009

After a very long flight we arrived in Tokyo Narita and proceeded to travel to Kasuga where we were met by our hotel staff. After checking in we had some rest and spent that evening by the Tokyo dome where the kids had alot of fun and that adults had some time to relax, come 9pm it was time to retire and catch some much needed sleep for the forthcoming championships.

Day 2: Friday 31st July 2009

With everyone up early we all headed of for the market place in Asakusa, with the weather extremely hot this proved a very popular location to visit and we spent a few hours there enjoying the many market stalls as well as seeing the temple and gardens at the bottom of the market. The afternoon visit was to Harajuku the very popular designer retail prefecture. Whilst the squad spent their hard earned cash the 4 referee had to attend a meeting at the nearby Yoyogi National sports centre and register the team also. After the meeting we were met by our squad and travelled back to Kasuga together for dinner and an early night to prepare for the championships the next day.

Day 3: Saturday 1st August 2009. Childrens Championship

On arriving at the venue around 8am we were met with a sea of competitors and were informed that there was around 2500 entries, wow! The championship started at 9:30am prompt and saw Emma Fairley score our 1st point against her Japanese rival, this set the standard for the day whereby every single competitor from JKS Scotland competed out of their skin with around 10 of them reaching the finals to be held on the Sunday. The whole day was very exciting for the many supporters who had travelled with us.  They enjoyed watching the Scotland junior team compete, win points against and win rounds in all categories. The competitors also appreciated the support from the noisiest part of the crowd.  There was also an excellent demonstration during the break from Kagawa Sensei and the JKS Honbu Dojo instructors, who thrilled everyone with their excellent skills. After all the hard training our young squad has put in they certainly lived up to and exceeded expectations. To go to Japan and enjoy this kind of success made it a day they will never forget. This was also a very special day for Sensei Robert Steggles who gained his 5th Dan - the perfect end to a perfect day.

Day 4: Sunday 2nd August 2009. Childrens Finals and Senior Championships

This too proved to be a hugely exciting and successful day for the fired up Scotland Team. The junior finalist started the day and all put in excellent performances bronze medals going to Hollie Watson for Girls 14 years Kumite and Sam Penman, Ross Stewart and John Douglas for Boys 16 years Team Kumite. It was then the seniors turn and they too pulled out fantastic performances. Amongst many highlights a special mention has to go to Anne Higgins who won Gold in Ladies over 40 Kumite. We also took home a further 2 Bronze medals for Ladies Team Kumite: Team A - Sarah Queen, Heather Nimmo and Nikki Conlan's along with Team B - Ailsa Stryke, Sarah Fairley and Kerry Ferguson. There were many other excellent performances which resulted in the Squad winning points, getting through rounds and reaching finals.  Lewis Scobie reaching the Senior Male Kata final was another milestone for the Scottish Squad. The whole Scottish contingent were impressed again by the demonstration from the very young and old Japanese Karate students. We all then went out to celebrate and one or two even had a bit of a late night!

Day 5: Monday 3rd August 2009. Honbu Dojo Training 

This was a chill-out day in and around the hotel. The hotel was a traditional Japanese Hotel where we all used Kimonos and slippers. There were low tables in the rooms with paper walls and sliding doors.  We slept on mats on the floor which was much more comfortable than it sounds except maybe for some of our taller competitors whose feet stuck out the ends!  his was most of the Squads first trip to Japan and this was a great chance to experience some of the more traditional Japanese customs. In the evening we all went to the Honbu Dojo. The juniors took part in the first class with the seniors training next. They all enjoyed the excellent classes with Sensei Kaniyama and Matsue

 
Day 6: Tuesday 4th August 2009. Barbeque

The hospitality of our hosts today was unexpected and unprecedented.  Sensei Kagawa had arranged for a bus to pick us up at the hotel and take us the Fuji Q Theme Park where the kids (young and old) enjoyed everything from the rollercoaster's to the foot bath with the tiny fish eating the dead skin from your feet (sounds yuk but was actually brilliant). After a few hours for high-speed fun the bus then took us to the JKS Yamanashi dojo where we were welcomed with Scotland banners and cold drinks.  We were treated to a very impressive barbeque and enjoyed the company of our many Japanese hosts including Sensei Moriya and JKS Honbu Dojo Instructors, Ishimine Sensei, Inada Sensei and Makita Sensei. They had organised games and entertainment and couldn't have made us more welcome.  They even joined in the conga-line started by Henry Higgins! The kids enjoyed everything from a dip in the nearby river to the catching the sliding noodles with chopsticks game. When it was time to go the bus took us safely back to the hotel.  Again - what a day!

 
Day 7: Wednesday 5th August 2009. Juniors go home

Between competitors, supports, coaches and officials we had 63 in our party and we were unable to all get on the same flight home.  The juniors travelled back to Scotland and the seniors took advantage of the extra day. Some went shopping for souvenirs and a group went to see the Emperor's Palace. Later at night they went to Akihabara for some hi-tech gadgets.

 
Day 8: Thursday 6th August 2009. Seniors go home

All good trips have to come to an end and today the remaining Squad went home. This was by far one of the most successful trips made by a Scottish Karate Team and everyone of the competitors can be proud of their achievement - in a word - fantastic!
  

We are proud to announce that full funding has now been achieved for all squad members attending the JKS International Championships being held over the weekend of August 1st & 2nd 2009 in Tokyo Japan. The astonishing amount of £56'475.00 has been raised since January 2009. This allows JKS Scotland to take an unprecidented amount of 45 competitors to Japan. Including travelling supporters our total party is a huge 62 persons, which is a record by anyones standards!!! We would like to personally thank everyone involved in making this possible, a special mention goes to all squad members, parents, dojo instructors, local bussiness's and the JKS Scotland fundraising commitee. Please check back for a full report on our progress during the championships. Again thanks to all involved!