British Wadokai Hall of Honours, Special Recognition & Achievements
British Wadokai Awards 2018
2018 has just flown by, I know this because I’m still vacuuming up pine-needles from last year’s Christmas tree (this time last year it was still August!). However, with each year that passes I can still be fully impressed by just how much dedication & loyalty we have within our British Wadokai membership, and this year is no exception. We are very fortunate to have so many very dedicated and loyal members among us.
Flagship Award. Again, for the second year running, the Flagship Award goes to Grey Wolf Karate, growing from strength to strength, due to their excellent standards (including 2nd to none Dojo self-discipline, yes, even from the very youngest student!). 100% perfect licence administration (both with new licences and renewal punctuality), plus club-member promotion standards & successes, etc. Grey Wolf has produced more 2nd & 1st Class results than any other Dojo within British Wadokai. Grey Wolf has also got some very formidable ‘up & coming’ youngsters and seniors ready for their Yūdan Shinsa in 2019. I am looking forward, very much, in seeing them all progressing forward within British Wadokai.
The BWK Crusader Award. This year’s Crusader Award goes to Michael Ilderton Renshi for his promotion of British Wadokai within the North of England. Mike San has been working tirelessly to encourage membership to both British Wadokai and to his ToZai Wado Karate Group in Newcastle. Recently, in addition, enrolling a non-wado Karate organisation towards British Wado Federation membership for conversion towards Wadoryu Karate.
Instructor of the Year. Mark Lawrence 3rd Dan, I feel, needs a very special mention, for his award of Instructor of the Year. He has been working tirelessly and has been an absolute pillar to the Grey Wolf Club, and with the dedicated support from the Grey Wolf Committee, consisting of the [tirelessly supportive] Joe Ryan Sandan (Mark’s right-hand man, whom I feel deserves a very [extra] special mention), James Latimer Sandan Viv Case Shodan and of course Matthew Roberts Shodan (plus all the others who are working quietly within the background), has ‘held the fort’ very successfully, during the temporary period of absence of their Sensei, Mick Adams Renshi. They have even managed to open up further clubs to expand and promote Grey Wolf (and British Wadokai) even further a-field. Recently, now with Grey Wolf’s support, we are even able to expand our Standardisation Courses further to the more westerly location of Cirencester, which has greater access points off the M4 (opening up the East-West access) and the M5 (for the Southwest and North access), etc. Mark has been an unsung hero, due to his modesty, but I feel that he should be at the forefront of all recognition from now.
Outstanding Students of the Year. This year we have some of our ‘regulars’ to these awards, but they still manage to impress me with their unequalled continual loyalty & dedication. We have some ‘newbies’, too!
Seniors: Maria Gomez Ikkyū who has, during 2018, played a great ‘unequalled’ support to Sensei Mike Ilderton Renshi, at ToZai. Her loyalty, dedication and passion has impressed me immensely. Her proactive approach has helped the Tozai and British Wadokai infrastructure and administration to no end, for us at BWK-North.
Naomi Greenway 5th Kyū, another member of Grey Wolf, whom has impressed her instructors with her resilience and passion to both the club and to British Wadokai; she has also travelled great distances in support and to be part of the Grey Wolf contingent at many of the British Wadokai events around the south and southwest.
Juniors: Pablo ‘Smiler’ Gomez Ikkyū, whom I have had a particular interest in over the years (puts a smile on my face, too!). A very popular young man of ToZai, with a very infectious smile (hence reference to him as 'smiler', no, really?) and has a presence in any Dojo, you will not miss him or his cheeky grin. I feel that he is much older than his years portray and he attacks his Wadoryu with a meticulous enthusiasm, passion and working ability. He likes what he does, and I like the way he does it - an aim for perfection! I feel that every club deserves (and needs) a ‘little Pablo’ in their Dojo somewhere... I’m still waiting for mine (although I have a big boot, on my car, so BWK-North may lose theirs on my next visit, if I haven’t got one by then). Pablo is preparing for his Yūdan, and if he keeps up with that consistent ‘Pablo tenacity’ and enthusiasm, which I am sure he will, I feel he will get it. So look over your shoulder, mum, he’s right behind you!
Jacob Lawrence 2nd Kyū, I feel has been a very brave young man, coping with [and bravely overcoming] his health issues, which he has had to suffer with over the past few years (and at present, as I believe this is still ongoing) with the very painful aspect on his leg-tendons, etc. He has always tried to put on a brave face, through his frustration, and tries his best to work through it all. He has had a very difficult few years. I also have great expectations from him, as he is settling into some very good form and a ‘fighter’s’ attitude. Additionally, so dedicated as he is, he arrives at the Dojo early to train then runs upstairs to the changing room, while the adult session is in progress, to then work on masses of his school homework.
Promotion to 7th Dan for Victor Tumilty (Hartlepool Dojo), who has a Wado history and lineage dating back to before the Dark Ages. His dedication is 2nd to none and his loyalty to Wadoryu Karate is outstanding; the promotion to 7th Dan reflects our recognition and gratitude of this historic commitment over those many years (although maybe the reference to the ‘Dark Ages’ could be a slight exaggeration, on my part). You are a rock, Victor San.
Promotion to 5th Dan for Geoff Kelly. Practical grade result; 82.5%. Well done from British Wadokai.
Promotion to 2nd Dan for Vivienne Case (Grey Wolf Dojo). Just as my reference to ‘Smiler’, earlier, “every Dojo should have one!” Viv has shown immense commitment, dedication and loyalty, over the many years I have known her. Her support for Grey Wolf, as well as British Wadokai, and all her accompanying administration involved, has a sense of military cohesion and perfection about it! If you need anything done, it’s done before you’ve even asked.... or even before you have thought about it! I am sure she brings her ‘clones’ with her, to the events she attends, as I seem to see her in every corner of the Dojo, either helping out other students or running around as a busy-bee with a handful of administration. Where will she be seen next?
Gary Swift Kyoshi.
Flagship Award. Again, for the second year running, the Flagship Award goes to Grey Wolf Karate, growing from strength to strength, due to their excellent standards (including 2nd to none Dojo self-discipline, yes, even from the very youngest student!). 100% perfect licence administration (both with new licences and renewal punctuality), plus club-member promotion standards & successes, etc. Grey Wolf has produced more 2nd & 1st Class results than any other Dojo within British Wadokai. Grey Wolf has also got some very formidable ‘up & coming’ youngsters and seniors ready for their Yūdan Shinsa in 2019. I am looking forward, very much, in seeing them all progressing forward within British Wadokai.
The BWK Crusader Award. This year’s Crusader Award goes to Michael Ilderton Renshi for his promotion of British Wadokai within the North of England. Mike San has been working tirelessly to encourage membership to both British Wadokai and to his ToZai Wado Karate Group in Newcastle. Recently, in addition, enrolling a non-wado Karate organisation towards British Wado Federation membership for conversion towards Wadoryu Karate.
Instructor of the Year. Mark Lawrence 3rd Dan, I feel, needs a very special mention, for his award of Instructor of the Year. He has been working tirelessly and has been an absolute pillar to the Grey Wolf Club, and with the dedicated support from the Grey Wolf Committee, consisting of the [tirelessly supportive] Joe Ryan Sandan (Mark’s right-hand man, whom I feel deserves a very [extra] special mention), James Latimer Sandan Viv Case Shodan and of course Matthew Roberts Shodan (plus all the others who are working quietly within the background), has ‘held the fort’ very successfully, during the temporary period of absence of their Sensei, Mick Adams Renshi. They have even managed to open up further clubs to expand and promote Grey Wolf (and British Wadokai) even further a-field. Recently, now with Grey Wolf’s support, we are even able to expand our Standardisation Courses further to the more westerly location of Cirencester, which has greater access points off the M4 (opening up the East-West access) and the M5 (for the Southwest and North access), etc. Mark has been an unsung hero, due to his modesty, but I feel that he should be at the forefront of all recognition from now.
Outstanding Students of the Year. This year we have some of our ‘regulars’ to these awards, but they still manage to impress me with their unequalled continual loyalty & dedication. We have some ‘newbies’, too!
Seniors: Maria Gomez Ikkyū who has, during 2018, played a great ‘unequalled’ support to Sensei Mike Ilderton Renshi, at ToZai. Her loyalty, dedication and passion has impressed me immensely. Her proactive approach has helped the Tozai and British Wadokai infrastructure and administration to no end, for us at BWK-North.
Naomi Greenway 5th Kyū, another member of Grey Wolf, whom has impressed her instructors with her resilience and passion to both the club and to British Wadokai; she has also travelled great distances in support and to be part of the Grey Wolf contingent at many of the British Wadokai events around the south and southwest.
Juniors: Pablo ‘Smiler’ Gomez Ikkyū, whom I have had a particular interest in over the years (puts a smile on my face, too!). A very popular young man of ToZai, with a very infectious smile (hence reference to him as 'smiler', no, really?) and has a presence in any Dojo, you will not miss him or his cheeky grin. I feel that he is much older than his years portray and he attacks his Wadoryu with a meticulous enthusiasm, passion and working ability. He likes what he does, and I like the way he does it - an aim for perfection! I feel that every club deserves (and needs) a ‘little Pablo’ in their Dojo somewhere... I’m still waiting for mine (although I have a big boot, on my car, so BWK-North may lose theirs on my next visit, if I haven’t got one by then). Pablo is preparing for his Yūdan, and if he keeps up with that consistent ‘Pablo tenacity’ and enthusiasm, which I am sure he will, I feel he will get it. So look over your shoulder, mum, he’s right behind you!
Jacob Lawrence 2nd Kyū, I feel has been a very brave young man, coping with [and bravely overcoming] his health issues, which he has had to suffer with over the past few years (and at present, as I believe this is still ongoing) with the very painful aspect on his leg-tendons, etc. He has always tried to put on a brave face, through his frustration, and tries his best to work through it all. He has had a very difficult few years. I also have great expectations from him, as he is settling into some very good form and a ‘fighter’s’ attitude. Additionally, so dedicated as he is, he arrives at the Dojo early to train then runs upstairs to the changing room, while the adult session is in progress, to then work on masses of his school homework.
Promotion to 7th Dan for Victor Tumilty (Hartlepool Dojo), who has a Wado history and lineage dating back to before the Dark Ages. His dedication is 2nd to none and his loyalty to Wadoryu Karate is outstanding; the promotion to 7th Dan reflects our recognition and gratitude of this historic commitment over those many years (although maybe the reference to the ‘Dark Ages’ could be a slight exaggeration, on my part). You are a rock, Victor San.
Promotion to 5th Dan for Geoff Kelly. Practical grade result; 82.5%. Well done from British Wadokai.
Promotion to 2nd Dan for Vivienne Case (Grey Wolf Dojo). Just as my reference to ‘Smiler’, earlier, “every Dojo should have one!” Viv has shown immense commitment, dedication and loyalty, over the many years I have known her. Her support for Grey Wolf, as well as British Wadokai, and all her accompanying administration involved, has a sense of military cohesion and perfection about it! If you need anything done, it’s done before you’ve even asked.... or even before you have thought about it! I am sure she brings her ‘clones’ with her, to the events she attends, as I seem to see her in every corner of the Dojo, either helping out other students or running around as a busy-bee with a handful of administration. Where will she be seen next?
Gary Swift Kyoshi.
British Wadokai Awards 2017
British Wadokai Annual Awards 2017
British Wadokai ‘Flagship Dojo’ Award: Grey Wolf Wadoryu Karate Dojo.
2nd to none discipline, etiquette and student standards makes the Grey Wolf Group our ‘Flagship Dojo’.
Shogo Award: Michael Ilderton Renshi.
A well-deserved Shogo for the Senior Instructor of our ‘Pillar of th North’ Dojo, Tozai Wado Karate.
Sensei of the Year: Gordon Hoare Renshi.
The Sensei of our ‘Pillar of the East’ Dojo gains another well-deserved recognition for all his support and loyalty for 2017.
Yūdansha of the Year: Michael Williams 4th Dan.
Distance is no object for one of the most loyal Yūdansha we have in British Wadokai. If there is a course, he will be there!
Student of the Year: Christopher Holland 1st Kyu.
The quietly dedicated student who will be there to support British Wadokai, his Sensei and the Horsham Wadoryu Karate Club on all occasions. If he misses a session, it would be through rigor-mortis!
British Wadokai ‘Flagship Dojo’ Award: Grey Wolf Wadoryu Karate Dojo.
2nd to none discipline, etiquette and student standards makes the Grey Wolf Group our ‘Flagship Dojo’.
Shogo Award: Michael Ilderton Renshi.
A well-deserved Shogo for the Senior Instructor of our ‘Pillar of th North’ Dojo, Tozai Wado Karate.
Sensei of the Year: Gordon Hoare Renshi.
The Sensei of our ‘Pillar of the East’ Dojo gains another well-deserved recognition for all his support and loyalty for 2017.
Yūdansha of the Year: Michael Williams 4th Dan.
Distance is no object for one of the most loyal Yūdansha we have in British Wadokai. If there is a course, he will be there!
Student of the Year: Christopher Holland 1st Kyu.
The quietly dedicated student who will be there to support British Wadokai, his Sensei and the Horsham Wadoryu Karate Club on all occasions. If he misses a session, it would be through rigor-mortis!
Dedication & Loyalty for 2016 - Christopher Holland Nikyu.