English Karate Federation Squad Selection
Although not able to enter selections until he is 16 Shannan Rayman represented British Wadokai Karate at the English Karate Federation National Squad Training Session held at Bisham Abbey on 6th October. The English Karate Federation have recently become the National Governing Body of Karate and been granted provisional status by the World Karate Federation and were selecting the National Squad for the upcoming WKF Cadet and Junior World Championships that are to be held in Istanbul shortly. Attending the training session is a fantastic opportunity to gain some elite instruction by some of the worlds best. As always they did not disappoint.
Ticky Donovan OBE 8th Dan led the session. Ticky is the founder and Chief Instructor of Ishinryu Karate. He is also an appointed delegate on the interim Board of the English Karate Federation (National Governing Body of Karate) he is also
- 3 times British Champion
- British, European and World Team Champion
- British Team Manager / Coach – World Champions Taipei 1982, Holland 1984, Australia 1986, Cairo 1988, Mexico 1990
Ticky is the current England National Squad Director and is renowned as the 'Worlds Most Successful Coach'. Often heard to say "make it happen". Wayne Otto OBE 4th Dan was also in attendance. He is an England National Coach and holds 9 World Championship titles.
Wayne Otto is, without doubt, the most successful Karate competitor Britain has ever produced. Since his retirement from International competition he has been awarded the OBE for his services to Karate, appointed first the Assistant England National Coach and then the England National Coach. Ticky Donovan OBE labels him 'the backbone of the British and England Karate Team'
For those who favour Kata there was the chance to be instructed by Jonathan Mottram 4th Dan. Jon holds 12 English Kata Champion titles, 4 English Kumite Champion titles, 2 Commonwealth Kata Champion titles, 7 British Kata Champion titles, 11 Ticky Donovan Annual Open All Styles Summer Course Champion titles and 7 Ishinryu Kata Champion titles.
There were 81 Karate-ka assembled for the training and then the afternoon was spent watching the fight off’s and selection process. Shannan now has a better idea of what he will be expected to do when he comes up for his own selections some time close to June.
Article written by Liz Legg, British Wadokai General Secretary.