TISKA Southam club is under the instruction of Sensei D. Hitchmough, a qualified and experienced 5th Dan who has been training under the Chief Instructor, Shihan G. Sahota (9th Dan) since 1997.
As with all the instructors in the TISKA association, Sensei Hitchmough has all the relevant certifications and insurances such as DBS, Public Liability and Coaching certificate.
The Southam club, like the others has a wide mix of karate-ka’s (students) of different abilities and ranges from beginner’s right through to 1st Dan (Shodan) black belts. The karate-ka’s range from all professional, social and cultural backgrounds, making it a great learning atmosphere, and most importantly, one that we are proud to have and be part of.
Both children and adults are increasingly attracted to Karate and the clubs have members from as young as 4 years old, to as old as 70+ years old. Many of our karate-ka’s include families who have trained and grown together right through to black belt level and above.
In addition to our regular training sessions, our karate-ka’s also participate in association grading examinations, practical and theoretical, courses (including sai & bo weapon courses) and both national and international championships designed for all skill levels, ages and grades.
The Southam club runs classes every Wesnesday evening from 6.30pm through till 7.30pm, covering all grades, the details of which can be found in the ‘Classes’ link.
With all the above in mind, we try to offer karate-ka’s all we can to keep them interested, motivated and challenged at all times.
WHAT IS KARATE?
Karate has proven to be beneficial in many ways, some of which include the following:
Primarily, the three main areas assessed in Karate are Kihon (Basics), Kata (Form/Pattern) and Kumite (Sparring).
KIHON are the basic techniques including punching. striking, blocking and kicking. They are practiced both individually and as part of a combination, in both stepping and stationary positions.
KATA consists of a combination of Kihon techniques, performed as a set pattern. Although Kata is demonstrated alone, there is an application element to it, whereby each movement is a block or counter attack to an imaginary partner/enemy, also known as Bunkai.
KUMITE is also a combination of Kihon techniques and majority of the time is practiced with a partner, with one person attacking whilst the other defends and counter attacks, and then vice versa. Kumite can also be practiced using other aids such as punch bags, kick shields and focus mitts.
Self Confidence: Karate is one of the best builders of self confidence. Traditional Shotokan Karate training helps prepare a child for life, helping with issues such as bullying, the pressures of exams and the building of self esteem. Children like to perform, especially for the people they love and respect. With a little encouragement and support from the instructor, they will rise to the occasion and surprise themselves with their own achievements.
Etiquette: Children are taught from the outset that Shotokan Karate is primarily a defensive and not an offensive martial art. Children learn how to be polite and respect their fellow students, instructor and parents.
Discipline: A child’s concentration is enhanced if they learn to focus their mind on the job in hand, whether by learning a sequence of complicated techniques in Karate or by passing an exam in school. Many parents notice a marked improvement of concentration once Karate training has commenced.
Self Defence: Street violence, especially muggings, take place in every town in the country and Shotokan
Karate is an effective form of unarmed combat.
Health and Flexibility: Shotokan Karate will help to improve your overall fitness and general wellbeing.
With regular training, flexibility and strength will improve.
The Southam club is one of many of TISKA’s successful clubs and offers training sessions every Wednesday at The Graham Adams Centre on St James Rd, Southam and is run under the instruction of Sensei D.Hitchmough, a qualified and experienced 5th Dan who has been training under the Chief Instructor, Shihan G. Sahota (9th Dan) since 1997. Over the years, Sensei Hitchmough has trained with many other TISKA instructors including, Sensei R. Bharj (6th Dan), Sensei P. Barker (6th Dan) and participated in national championships and courses including international master courses, as well as gradings and tournaments here in the UK, both as an official and a competitor.
As with all the instructors in the TISKA association, Sensei Hitchmough has all the relevant certifications and insurances such as DBS, Public Liability and Coaching certificate. He is also has a Covid safe certification as well.
Sensei Hitchmough continues to train with Sensei R. Bharj and under the Chief Instructor, Shihan G. Sahota.
Gusharan Sahota
Gursharan Sahota was born in Kenya, East Africa but moved to the UK at the age of 12. He took up Karate at the age of 14 in the local Bedford club and was awarded black belt 1st dan (shodan) four years later.
Now a 9th Dan, Gursharan has competed in a multitude of kata and kumite events, many at national and international level. But the most significant event in his career was the visit he made in 1984 to Japan. There, he fulfilled a great ambition by training in a Japanese dojo under the instruction of Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa.
This experience proved to be a turning point for Gursharan. On his return to England, he realised the trip had been the inspiration he needed to dedicate his future to training and teaching karate as a way of life.
Gursharan’s first club was opened in Luton/Dunstable in 1981 and this is now the association’s hombu (HQ). Having been a teacher of the art for many years, he formed his own association in 1993 – TISKA (The Traditional International Shotokan Karate Association) which is now one of the biggest associations in the UK.
Gursharan’s love of karate has never diminished. He still teaches over 35 classes a week in the UK and regularly takes master classes internationally. All in all, he has brought hundreds of students of all ages up to black belt standard and beyond.
He is also involved in charity work, helping to subsidise trips for surgeons to third world countries to operate on underprivileged children. He has, for many years, funded many projects in India, and is at present helping to fund the building of a new school.
Gursharan lives in Buckinghamshire and is happily married with a son and daughter who already show signs of following in their daddy’s footsteps.
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