Profiles |
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Sensei Richard Males 3rd Dan D.O.B :- 23/01/57
When did you first start training in Kyokushin Karate ? I first started in 1974 at Cori Hall in Cardiff under Sensei Howard Colins and Sempai Mike Watkins. What made you choose Kyokushin Karate ? Originally I was inspired by the great Bruce Lee films, some of my friends were interested in joining a club and we all decided to join
To this day, how long have you been teaching Kyokushin Karate ? Almost 30 Years now.
What has been the highlight of your career during your long tenure ? I represented Wales In the Full Contact Team on numerous occasions between 1977 and 1978 the first occasion was when I was a brown belt (2nd Kyu)
What do you think the benefits are of Learning Kyokushin Karate ? Kyokushin helps the student develop a confident character both spiritually and physically. The rigours of Kyokushin Karate enable the student to approach many issues in life with fortitude. Kyokushin enables the student to give, and accept respect and humility.
Do you have any future ambitions ? To continue to run the successful club that I have built up over 30 years.
Senpai Phill Sedgmond 1st Dan D.O.B :- 07/05/1978
When did you first start training in Kyokushin Karate ? I first started when I was 11 Years old. What made you choose Kyokushin Karate ? Well, my mother wanted me to have a hobby (personally I think she just wanted me out from under her feet) and rattled off a few sports that I could do such as ballet and netball but for some reason they didn’t really sound like my cup of tea. She then picked up the paper and showed me an advert for karate. My first thought was “she wants me to get beaten up”, but never the less I went along to have a look. Before I knew it I was in the line looking quite nervous when Sensei walked in. Surprisingly I picked things up quite easily, it’s not an easy style to do but if your determined like I was then you can go far. To this day how long have you been part of the Kyokushin family ? Well, I started when I was 11 so that was 1989, I then had to stop in 1994 due to being 16 and having to get a job and my job was working evenings so I kept missing karate lessons. When I turned 20 I said to myself that I should get back and train again, but I became a father in that year so going back was not an option. When my daughter was a bit older and my finances would allow me I started back again in 2005. Even though I had been out of training for over 10 years I never forgot anything, going back was like riding a bike. But there is one thing I did forget and that was how much I had enjoyed it, so I have been part of the Kyokushin family for 8 years.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far ? So far the highlight of my career would have to be split between wining the British Junior Individual Championships in 1993 and also wining British Junior Team Championships in the same day and smashing 100 roof tiles for charity. Do you have any future ambitions in kyokushin karate ? Yeah , I have a few ambitions I would like to achieve:
What do you think the benefits are of learning kyokushin karate? I have to be honest and say that a lot of people don’t have the staying power to do Kyokushin Karate under International Kyokushin Organisation, it is a hard style to learn. What I will say is that when I was in my last year of Junior School I was bullied all the time, so during the summer holidays I started Kyokushin Karate. When I went up to Comprehensive School I had learned so much of Kyokushin Karate, my confidence was beaming and I have never been bullied since. So, I have to say that the benefits are your choice. If you join and stick with it and get through all the hard times the rewards are phenomenal. It builds character and confidence. It can bring out the best in anyone.
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