JKS North Shore Karate – Squad Training
Take your Karate to the next level by committing to an expanded training regime that will help you achieve better results at National and International competitions.
Squad Introduction
The JKS North Shore Squad Training will help competitors gain improved results at the National and International tournaments we attend. It will also advance your overall karate ability, especially mastery of kata and kumite.
A major goal of the squad programme would be to get some of our students onto the National WKF New Zealand team that competes at the WKF World Championships.
We would also like to compete at the JKS World Championships – to win medals and not just to participate!
General Requirements
To be a member, a JKS North Shore student will have to:
- Attend 90% of normal training for their level
- Attend 90% of extra Saturday classes – 1 per month
- Attend the National Training events added by Karate NZ
- Attend at least 3 of the big tournaments that Karate NZ host
- Attend the JKS Nationals
- Attend at least 3 of the JKS Shotokan invitations
- Register with Karate New Zealand as a national competitor
Equipment Requirements
A squad member will need to own their open competition gear that is WKF approved for WKF events.
This includes:
- Chest guard, groin guard, mouth guard
- Belt – red and blue
- Mitts – red and blue
- Shin and instep guards – red and blue
- A Kata gi – this is a heavier gi that can make a snap
- A Kumite gi – this is a lighter gi for speed
- JKS NZ team t-shirt, jacket and bag
Andrew Downey - Squad Member Profile
Andrew initially obtained his Shodan in Goju Ryu karate-do with the I.K.G.A in 1984 - 35 years ago. His passion for karate was re-ignited when his son and daughter showed an interest. He joined JKS in 2018, and has successfully re-tested for his Shodan belt in Ireland in 2019, under the watchful eye of Shihan Kagawa.
In the last year 2019 Andrew competed and achieved silver in kumite at the NZ championships.
He also represented New Zealand at the 5th JKS World Cup in Ireland in 2019 and achieved a bronze medal in Kumite.
Late in 2019, he competed in the JKA National Competition and won the Kumite, and came 3rd in the senior kata division.
Ready to find out more?
Contact Sensei Sean for more information, or to sign up.