Sensei Chris Thompson’s visit to Spain was an important milestone for the Club Washinkai España. It was the first time that the creator of Washinkai would have been able to see first hand the students’ development after the departure of former club president Ray Sweeney.
The course was a great opportunity to meet and be instructed by an 8th Dan Sensei who had studied in Japan under Tatsuo Suzuki. There have been many changes since his last visit, not least the decision to develop closer ties with the Valencian Karate Federation and to hold the Dan (Black Belt) gradings under the Spanish Tribunal system.
The course was well attended and a number of senior instructors and students from the UK joined the class including Sensei Alison Thompson (6th dan) who assisted the class, as well as Don Ross (5th Dan) from Kent and Bobby Holkham (3rd Dan), also from Kent. An invited guest, Shihan Francisco Gonzalez Saiz (Paco) who is a senior representative for Spanish Karate Federation for the Valencia region, also came and trained on the Saturday.
Sensei Chris Thompson gathered the class and started the course with a little introduction about the history of karate and a detailed explanation of what Washinkai Karate is. He explained that the Washinkai method of Karate was now complete. He would not be adding to it or taking away from it. It is a system that is recognised not only by the World Karate Federation, but also the Japanese Karate Federation and the Katas that are taught, including two Katas created by Sensei himself (TenShinSho and TenShinDi) could all be used in international competition.
Standing in front of the assembled class, Sensei Chris Thompson cuts an imposing figure. At over 6 foot 6 inches tall, he towers above most students and has an authoritative presence. Sensei’s first words of the course were that, “Karate should be fun. It is something that should be enjoyed by students young and old alike.”
The class started with Kihon or line training combined with intense physical fitness exercises such as sit-ups and stretching.
Sensei then explained that the word Karate means ‘with open hand’ and that traditional Karate is made up of three essential elements:
1. Kihon or line training which also includes partner work.
2. Kumite (free fighting)
3. Kata meaning ‘hidden technique’ a style originating from the island of Okinawa midway between Japan and China. Kata was a way of teaching fighting and defensive techniques whilst at the same time concealing their true purpose by making the moves look like a dance.
Many come to karate for different reasons. Some want to learn to fight, others seek status believing that wearing a black or brown belt will bring them respect and recognition. Others take up a martial art because they may have experienced bullying. Sensei Chris Thompson told the class that whatever your reason for learning karate, it was important to achieve a high level in all three areas and that the course was going to cover a little of each.
In the Kumite or free fighting and partner work that followed in the afternoon session, I found myself working with a Karateka who had just arrived from the UK. He was not from our club and was wearing a white belt. The belt of a novice and yet clearly a man who had some 20 or more years training. This person moved with speed and his strikes were opportune and on target.
At this point I should mention that in Washinkai Karate, you do not make full contact, but instead pull the punches and kicks so as to not injure your partner.
We start the techniques slowly, learning accuracy and control and then increase the power and speed so that we can respond quickly to potential threats. We try to keep in mind that someone who wants to cause harm is likely to do so with physical force and therefore there is a need to control the distance from our ‘would be’ attacker.
At this point Sensei Chris Thompson reminded us that in our partner work we learn to confront aggression. Why do we learn to block a punch, step aside from a kick or potential knife attack? Simply so that we are not intimidated. Facing up to simulated aggression in training helps us to keep a cool head and give ourselves the best possible chance of defence.
The final session concentrated on Kata, but not before we did yet more physical exercise to build strength and flexibility. There was more discussion about the roots of Karate and Sensei explained that the Pinan Katas that we first learn are all Japanese in origin.
The course ended quietly. Sensei said, “You have all worked hard.” and then brought the class to a close. We were about to be presented with our course attendance certificates when Sensei Sarah decided that it would be good to do a further 50 abs or sit-ups. You have to be joking!!! NO JOKE, get on with it.
Sensei Alison Thompson told the group that they all felt that the achievements of both instructors Sensei Sarah Lakin and Sensei Geovanny Sanchez Salazar were considerable and that the students were highly motivated, showing commitment and dedication. Don Ross added that the Washinkai España students were “great ambassadors for Washinkai Karate. We are all part of a big family that support each other and shared a passion for Karate.”
Sensei Chris Thompson later confirmed that he would be visiting the club in the Spring for the Dan gradings.
