Daisuke Watanabe Sensei - Tour of Wales
During the weekend of April 26-28 2024, JKS Wales hosted Watanabe Sensei from the JKS Honbu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan. Thanks goes to both Jesper Markvarsden Sensei (JKS Denmark) and the Honbu Dojo in Japan for arranging and allowing us to host such a fantastic weekend.
To say that this weekend was an unbelievable experience for all those that attended would be an understatement. It is true that some memories last a lifetime and this was one of those times.
Watanabe Sensei has a plethora of accolades and below is a quick history of his achievements throughout his karate career.
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Started Training 1995 at the age of 6 years.
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Began University in 2008 and graduated in 2012.
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Was a member of the All Japan Karate team from 2009-2019.
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JKS World Champion X2
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JKS Japan Kumite Champion X5
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East Asia -75kg Kumite Champion
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Gold medallist in the All Japan Kumite Championships 2017.
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Okinawa Premier League -75kg gold Medallist.
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Austrian Premier League -75kg gold Medallist.
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This was Sensei’s first visit to Wales. The last visit had to be cancelled due to Covid lockdown so this has been wanting to happen for a few years.
Sensei arrived on Friday 26th in the afternoon and was met at the airport by Derek Sensei (Head of JKS Wales) and Stu Sensei (Chief Instructor JKS Llanbedr DC) and was taken to the hotel to relax for a couple of hours.
Sensei’s first sessions were held in JKS Llanbedr DC newest dojo located in Llanferres. The seminar was extremely well attended with 60 students signing up to train ranging from beginners up to 6th Dan and from a variety of associations.
Sensei demonstrated why he is one of the best in the World with ‘blink and you miss it’ movement. The teaching as what was expected and was amazing. Sensei taught all ages from the young children up to the not so young seniors. We worked on the three ‘K’s’ during the session, Kihon, Kata (Bassai Dai) and Kumite.
After the session had finished Sensei was invited to Stu Sensei’s home for refreshments and also a chance to show Sensei some of his karate memorabilia including a rare signed postcard from Asai Shihan (JKS Founder) which Watanabe Sensei found extremely impressive.
Day two 27th Sensei and some following support made their way to Newtown Shotokan karate and their Dojo in Trefeglwys in Mid Wales where Sensei was hosted by Phil Sensei.
This day was extra special for the Newtown club and instructors as it marked their one-year anniversary of joining the JKS. The day was again full of amazing input from Sensei, working on footwork, coupled with punching techniques from the previous day along with kicking drills and sweeps. The session also included the kata Jion along with some kyu kata.
There really was something for everyone. Following the session Sensei continued to travel south to Brecon in readiness for day three at the Llangynidr Dojo.
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Saturday evening Sensei enjoyed a relaxing time with JKS Wales Senior instructors from the various clubs. It was an absolute pleasure for everyone involved.
Sadly Sunday 28th was the final day before we said goodbye and Sensei would head back to the airport that evening. It was Hosted by Brecon karate club and held in the Llangynidr Dojo.
The classes once again did not disappoint with all grades working on kihon and gohon kumite before practising some kyu kata. Session two saw Sensei build on the first two days of teaching with amazing combinations and footwork drills, providing 1 on 1 opportunities as Sensei moved around the class. After the session there was short time for pictures, autographs and certificates for the junior members that had attended all three days which was a fantastic achievement.
Sensei was then whisked off for some food before his flight back to Denmark.
If there is anything that was agreed on it was it all went too fast!!
Thank you to everyone that made this opportunity possible and for all the support from the clubs and associations that trained. We look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Oss
