Editor's Blog Nov 23rd 2011
A Blog a day keeps the Blaggers at Bay – UK
I headed off to the UK for the weekend, Portsmouth to be precise. I was invited, as usual, to attend the Portsmouth Open Karate Tournament. The tournament is part homage to my friends and those that still partake in competition, and part reminiscence for the days I partook in such competitions, with very limited success I might add.
I took video footage and it will be on the yourgibraltartv.com website this week for you to check out, along with a voice-over by yours truly.
It was at the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth and featured teams from as far away as Holland, Belgium and even one competitor from the Czech Republic. The majority were from UK clubs and associations, with more than 300 entrants it’s the kind of thing Gibraltar misses as we have a martial art exhibition maybe once a year, but no serious competition on a regular basis to give our karate –ka something to get their teeth into and gauge themselves by.
I’ve spent many an hour listening to someone tell me how they trained in this, that and t’other which they often did but once I dig, it boils down to a few lessons and hardly the pilgrimage many of us serious exponents embark upon. On a credibility note; I myself spent 6 weeks travelling around Australia with my karate gi (suit) in my rucksack and in that time trained in Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne. In fact Adelaide was particularly enjoyable as it wasn’t karate but Ninjitsu. I was offered an hour of training in knife defence, which I loved, but my wrists were killing from all the twisting and throwing to release the knife. I’ll bore you another time with details, if you wish ... not.
As far as Portsmouth is concerned, the results and further information can be found on their website www.seku-karate.co.uk if you really fancy taking the art up; or contact me if you want. I do teach from time to time.
Ed.
