2017…A Year in Review

2017 has once again been a busy year…..

2017 saw 8 Internationally renowned instructors from all over the world including America, Switzerland & Canada visit Norwich. In September ESKA was especially privileged to host Sensei Ota from Keio University, Japan for his first ever teaching visit to England.

Keio University Instructor Sensei Hiroshi Ota 7th Dan

WTKO International Director Sensei Scott Middleton 6th Dan

WTKO Chief Referee Sensei Angelo Sanna 6th Dan

FSK Chief Instructor Aidan Trimble 8th Dan

WTKO Switzerland Sensei Mario Trachsel 4th Dan

Sensei Scott Langley 6th Dan

Sensei Rick Hotton 5th Dan

This year ESKA students and Instructors gained 42 new Dan grades. A special mention to John Helsdon for obtaining Sandan (3rd Dan) after not grading for over 20 years, and also to ESKA’s Chief Instructor Sensei Jason Hitchings was awarded his Rokudan (6th Dan) after completing his grading in front of the WTKO Senior Instructors at the WTKO Winter Camp, New York.

This year over 1500 ESKA kyu grade students were promoted.

As well as over 650 new Tiny Tiger T shirts…

Once again ESKA has had a busy and very successful competitive year, attending 10 National & International competitions held by various governing bodies.

Nationals

JSKA UK National Championships, Aldershot
Gold – 15
Silver – 14
Bronze – 11

Legend Open Shotokan Karate Championships, Bracknell
Gold – 7
Silver – 6
Bronze – 13

AMA National Karate Championships, Bury
Gold – 3
Silver – 7
Bronze – 21

TSKUK Open Championships, Southend-on-Sea
Gold – 37
Silver – 11
Bronze – 34

TKFGB Boston Cup, Boston
Gold – 4
Silver – 4
Bronze – 3

BASK Open Competition, Uxbridge
Gold – 55
Silver – 48
Bronze – 38

EKCC Karate Open, Clacton-on-Sea
Gold – 8
Silver – 9
Bronze – 30

Internationals

JSKA European Championships, Hungary

Gold – 32
Silver – 6
Bronze – 14

WTKO Summer Camp, Frankfurt
Gold – 4
Silver – 4

FSKA World Championships, Crawley

Gold – 23
Silver – 17
Bronze – 13

As always the 2017 calendar was brought to a close with the last event of the year. The immensely popular Christmas Eve Fun Session. This years event was no different with over 200+ people attending and getting involved with the festive fun and antics. A fantastic end to a fantastic year.