Best student awards were presented by JKA England, Mendip, instructors, Julie Morgan and Andy Forster.

The Best Student trophies are awarded for good etiquette, spirit and attitude.

The decision this year was, as usual, extremely tough, with the high calibre of students coming through the ranks. The winners, Logan Woodland, (9) and Devon Rorke, (10), both pupils at Westfield Primary School, have also shown excellent commitment and increasing skill in their training and grading. The outstanding students practise their Karate at Chilcompton and Stratton-on-the Fosse Village Halls.

Two of our students, Harry Grass and Dexter Rogers, were Highly Commended and awarded certificates and medals for their excellent efforts. At the presentation held on Thursday, 28th February, all of our students gave demonstrations of their skills in kata (set patterns) and showed off some self defence moves, too. Mendip Instructors, Julie and Andy, are very proud of all the hard work the students have put in and know they will all continue to give their best in the future. We have a fantastic group of new students who are already showing great promise and some very spirited orange belts who will be ones to watch in the coming years.

Shotokan Karate is one of the most widely practiced forms of karate in the world today, and one of the most traditional. Introduced to Japan from Okinawa by Supreme Master Funakoshi Gichin, Shotokan puts heavy focus on kihon (basic techniques), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring) to develop a range of powerful and dynamic techniques. Karate is a form of unarmed combat employing a wide range of punching and kicking techniques. There are no weapons involved in practicing karate and the term ‘karate’ literally means ‘empty hand’ where only hands and feet are used for blocking and striking.

Mendip SKC welcomes new members aged from six years. Karate is a fantastic way to keep fit, as well as learning new skills and building confidence it develops not only the body, but also the mind and character.

Anyone is welcome to come along and have a try; the only requirements being: respect for others and a willingness to give one’s best. Training takes place at Chilcompton and Stratton-on-the-Fosse village halls, also at Writhlington Sports Centre.

For more information please contact Julie: 07709 875864, Andy: 07803 095208 www.mendipshotokan.co.uk or our Facebook page: Mendip Shotokan Karate.

Julie Morgan