Three sensational National Kata courses led by Yoshihiko Iura-sensei, a Kodokan 8^th Dan, were held over the weekend of 26^th and 27^th November 2022.

The courses were organised by the Southern Area, hosted at the Army School of Physical Training in Aldershot, and supported by the BJA Kata Commission through Llyr Jones, Dave Horton-Jones and Paul Jordan.  Many other BJA Kata Officials and Senior Examiners attended to provide additional support and instruction for the course attendees. Judoka age and grades ranged from 16 to 75, and from 2^nd Kyu to 7^th Dan, with people travelling from as far afield as Scotland and Israel.

Day 1 – Nage-no-kata

This was attended by 44 judoka, where Iura-sensei went through all aspects of the exercise including the nuances of the different ukemi required.  Having worked through all five sets, by the end of the day all judoka attending had grasped the basics of the kata and were able to perform it to a basic level. More experienced judoka were able to improve their performance, and Kata Examiners and instructors were able to increase their understanding to pass on to BJA members.

Day 2 – Itsutsu-no-kata and Katame-no-kata

BJA Vice President and long-standing kata expert Mick Leigh attended, along with some 50 judoka.  The Itsutsu-no-kata was worked-through in the morning, and for many participants this was the first time they had seen this little-known kata and given the opportunity to fully appreciate both its philosophical aspects and its physical principles. In the afternoon Katame-no-kata was covered to the same depth as Nage-no-kata the previous day.

Throughout the weekend constant support and assessments were carried out by BJA Kata Examiners where all attending qualified for their Level 1 kata qualifications. They now return to their clubs to practice their kata with a partner to increase their knowledge to Level 2 standard which can only be achieved by regular practice. Four new Kata Examiners were identified, and 2 judoka were also able to complete their Technical Dan Grade to 3^rd Dan.

We look forward to Iura-sensei’s return to UK to deliver another fantastic kata weekend in 2023.

Comments from Dave Horton-Jones BJA Kata tutor:

“The course was excellent and such an achievement for the BJA to host Sensi Iura,. His coaching was excellent and enabled the Promotions Commission and Kata group the opportunity to upskill Kata Examiners and Senior Examiners. The dojo was full of positivity and all judoka departed at the end of the day with a great deal of satisfaction not only improving their skills in Nage No and Katame No but being the largest group to practice Itsutsu no Kata  for their first time”

We look forward to Iura-sensei’s return to UK to deliver another fantastic kata weekend in 2023.

Dates for your diary – also see BJA Events pages are:-

NHC Kata Championships – 18^th December 2022

National Kata Examiners Conference – 5^th March 2023 at Walsall

British Kata Championships – 24^th September 2023 @ Samurai Judo Club, Kidderminster

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