The following text appeared in the Abergavenny Chronicle in 2013.
THIS year marks the 35th anniversary of Abergavenny Karate club and last week they had the honour of being joined by Chief Instructor for the JKAE (Japanese Karate Association England) Sensei Yoshinobu Ohta (Seventh Dan) for a training session. Former Welsh team captain and current instructor Ken Whittington has been studying Karate for over 40 years and has been at the club from the beginning. The 60-year-old veteran instructor who picked up his Black Belt Third Dan in 2005 recalls, “I studied Judo briefly with Terry Edmunds who was assistant coach to the British Judo Olympic Team, Terry introduced me to Karate back in 1970". The Abergavenny Karate club trains in the Shotokan style and is affiliated to the JKA. In the past four decades Ken has seen a lot of changes in the world of Karate and told the Chronicle, “The sort of Karate that we teach is still popular today but there are now so many different styles available it’s difficult to generate the sort of interest we once did. “When we first started we had 100 plus members and now on average we usually have about 20 to 30 members of all ages, but the key thing is all the people who join the club will still benefit immensely from the discipline, respect, confidence, fitness and fun that Karate can provide to anyone who is willing to put in the necessary work.” Ken is keen to stress you’re are never to old to try your hand at Karate for the first time and said, “We have a gentleman currently training with us who is 68. A lot of people don’t realise that the dexterity and flexibility integral to Karate is very beneficial to people who want to stay one step ahead of the aging process. It keeps your body supple and fit, and is great for improving strength and general health.” The club has produced many many black belts since its inception in the late 1970s and Ken told the Chronicle, “In my time I’ve seen a lot of people who turn up and want to become a black belt overnight but are not willing to give anything in way of return. “They’ve got to understand Karate is a way of life, it’s got fundamental precepts and it’s something you can do all your life to learn valuable insights and develop a stronger character.” “The beauty of Karate is, you never stop learning. You learn from the techniques and teachings and you also learn about yourself and your character. I would definitely say that Karate can give you a much more positive outlook on life.” Ken added, “It’s also pleasing that so many of our students who move onto University, not only continue their training at University Dojos but frequently return to visit and train at their old club.” Abergavenny Karate Club trains at Abergavenny Leisure Centre Sports Gym opposite the Leisure Centre, every Monday and Thursday, 7pm - 8:30pm. Everyone from the age of seven is welcome. |