Toyama Sensei visits Walsall Karate Dojo

On Wednesday 6th November Walsall Karate Dojo were yet again honoured to host a course with JKS Headquarters instructor Shohei Toyama from Tokyo.

Toyama Sensei delivered a superb 3 hours of training over two classes.

The first class covered basic kihon with a focus on correct hip movement, fluidity and power generation in the techniques . This was then followed by Heian 2-5 and Tekki Shodan. It was amazing to see the level of mastery in such simple techniques that Toyama demonstrates, as we see in all the Hombu Dojo instructors.

The second dan only class covered more advanced kihon followed by Kankusho in detail, Toyama Senseis favourite kata. The session followed with single kumite techniques where simple yet amazing changes to movement prior to the execution saw big changes in the speed and hence power of the attack. Brilliant stuff up close and very open from a two time Premier League silver medallist and JKS world champion.

Despite having a badly broken hand from kumite training Toyama Sensei did not fail to deliver and his movement and spend was immense.

A massive thank you to everyone who came along to train and keep the determination to improve your level tonight.

At Walsall Karate Dojo we have been extremely lucky and proud to host six JKS Hombu dojo instructors to date; Kagawa Shihan, Yamaguchi Sensei, Nagaki Sensei, Okamoto Sensei, Arimoto Sensei and Toyama Sensei. Tonight Toyama became the first that we have had the opportunity to host a second time. We presented him with a Walsall squad top as a momento.

A heartfelt and huge thank you to Head of JKS England Alan Campbell for this and all previous opportunities to host these fantastic karateka in our dojo.