On Saturday 19th July, Sensei Richard Scoot was very kindly invited by members of the Traditional Association Shotokan Karate to a attend a Training course in Milton Keynes, hosted by Sensei Wayne Otto OBE, 9 times world kumite champion.

Richard takes up the story; "The Course began with an amazing warm up done by an Algerian Karateka who made our own Mr Grimsey (Paul) look like the Tin Man, his flexibility was just amazing and as Wayne put it "that's just not normal mate". Wayne then began the 1st training session proper with some Mawashi Geri training, this consisted of repeated Jodan Mawashi drills. Time to put the pads on, partner up and learn some of the techniques that made Sensei Otto so unbeatable. Control and spirit were in abundance and each technique was done again and Again. Exhausting stuff but really satisfying when you get a good one in.

The best was to come, learning Waynes different ways of sweeping people, the best by far was the "waltz" where you take your partner for a little dance which ends up with them on their back and you with 3 points in the bag. After 2 hours we took a short break and Wayne showed what a gentleman and approachable person he is and an excellent role model for Martial Artists everywhere.

Session 2 another warm up and then straight into drills, consisting of feints, lots of reverse punches, back fists and kicks etc, these were punishing and the training very hard but at the end of the day I went home tired but feeling I'd really learnt a great deal from the best there is in the World of Kumite.

I would like to thank Sensei Donovan Slue (5th Dan TASK) and Sensei Lawerence Ellcock (Minakami Dojo) for letting me attend their session.

Richard Scoot