Event Information:
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The Shukokai Karate Association
History Of The Association
Sensei Hudson
Gradings
Combinations
History Of The Association
The Shukokai style was founded in 1950 by Chojiro Tani who studied Shito-Ryu under Kenwa Mabuni.
Shukokai means "Way for All" and this reflects how the style has developed although it keeps its purity. The style is very fast using a relatively high stance to aid mobility. The Martial Arts Commission of Great Britain has also stated in its Official Handbook that "Shukokai punches are the strongest to be found in Karate".
The style stresses controlled contact in competition sparring. However, real experience of full-power techniques is enabled by the use of pad work.
Shukokai, as taught by Chojiro Tani, had a distinctive double hip twist creating a motion that ensured that punches were delivered using the big muscles of the upper leg and with body rotation. Shigeru Kimura was not happy that this produced the fastest or strongest technique. In 1966 he left Japan and spent 3 years travelling throughout Africa and Europe studying and refining his techniques. These techniques also stressed rotation, utilising the strongest muscles but was also faster, saving time by having the body already rotated in the ready stance. The style was adopted by the Shukokai Karate Union who appointed Mr Kimura as Chief Instructor. In 1980 a 3-way split occurred leaving the original Shukokai Karate Union and 2 others, one of which was the Ken Yu Kai Karate Association (when translated this means "Hands that move in harmony") with their Chief Instructor Terry Pottage.
The Shukokai Karate Association was founded in 1991 when senior instructors decided to form their own association. Since then the association has flourished, now having over 20 clubs with hundreds of members. The SKA has maintained the teachings of Shigeru Kimura (8th Dan) with whom Malcolm Hudson had the privilege of training for several years before Mr Kimura sadly passed away.
Sensei Hudson
Malcolm Hudson (8th Dan) started training in Karate in January 1975 originally as part of the Shukokai Karate Union and then the Ken Yu Kai Karate Association before founding the Shukokai Karate Association in 1991. He trained frequently with Sensei Kimura gaining his 3rd Dan under Mr Kimura's examination.Sensei Hudson has been very successful in competitions including:
Member of British SKU Champions 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980
Member of England SKF team to tour America
Welsh Open Middle Weight Champion 1979
Shukokai British Middleweight Champion 1980
3rd place in Shukokai World Team Championship, New York USA 1981
World Lightweight Shukokai Champion, New York USA 1981
World Overall Champion, New York USA 1981
Ken Yu Kai Middleweight Champion 1983
Lightweight Champion, Buxton Open 1984
Ceased competing in 1987
Gradings
The association has a series of gradings. These range from the novice through the Kyu's (10th Kyu to 1st Kyu) to the Dan's (Black belts of 1st Dan and upwards). Each grade is attained by a mixture of experience and passing an assessment- both criteria have to be met before progression can be made. These assessments are held regularly throughout the year and, as you would expect, earlier grades have less demanding assessments (but still appropriate to the experience) which are able to be carried out after a set time limit.
Senior grades have to hone their skills for longer before attempting more exacting assessments. In order to gain a Black Belt, it is necessary for the student to demonstrate a technical knowledge and skill to a level laid down in their association grading syllabus, for each of the 3 fundamental competencies of Karate which are Kihon (basic techniques), Kata (set formal exercise) and Kumite (sparring).
The Shukokai Karate Association grading structure is shown below. It is based on students training twice a week. There are titles for the grades - 1st Kyu and 1st Dan are referred to as Sempai (senior), 2nd Dan to 5th Dan are referred to as Sensei (teacher) whilst 6th dan and above are Shihan (master).
Belt order
10th Kyu – Red and White Belt
9th Kyu – Red Belt
8th Kyu – Yellow Belt
7th Kyu – Orange Belt
6th Kyu – Green Belt
5th Kyu – Blue Belt
4th Kyu – Purple Belt
3rd Kyu – Brown Belt
2nd Kyu – Brown and White Belt
1st Kyu – Brown and Red Belt
1st Dan – Black Belt
2nd Dan – Black Belt
3rd Dan – Black Belt
4th Dan – Black Belt
5th Dan – Black Belt
6th Dan – Black Belt
7th Dan – Black Belt
8th Dan – Black Belt
10th Kyu - White Belt with Red Stripe
Training requirement: 10 weeks minimum A: Basics in parallel stance (Yoi) Jodan Zuki, Chudan Zuki Blocks Gedan Barai B: Basics in forward stance (Kamae) Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki C: Kicks Mae Geri 9th Kyu - Red Belt
Training requirement: Minimum 3 months training from last grading A: Basics (Kamae) Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki Blocks Gedan Barai B: Combinations 1, 2 C: Kicks Mae Geri 8th Kyu - Yellow Belt
Training requirement: Minimum 3 months training from last grading A: Basics (Kamae) as 9th kyu Blocks Jodan Uke B: Combinations 1, 2 C: Kicks Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri D: Kata Junino Kata - any of 4 blocks 7th Kyu - Orange Belt
Training requirement: Minimum 3 months training from last grading A: Basics (Kamae) as 8th kyu plus Maeken Zuki Blocks Jodan Uke, Shuto Uke B: Combinations 1, 2, 3 C: Kicks Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri D: Kata Pinan Nidan E: Impact Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, Mae Geri 6th Kyu - Green Belt
Training requirement: Minimum 3 months training from last grading A: Basics (Kamae) as 7th kyu Blocks Jodan Uke, Shuto Uke B: Combinations 3, 4, 5 C: Kicks Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri D: Kata Pinan Sandan E: Impact Gyaku Zuki, Maeken Zuki, Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri 5th Kyu - Blue Belt
Training requirement: Minimum 4 months training from last grading A: Basics (Kamae) as 6th kyu plus Sekkyaku Zuki Blocks Shuto Uke, Soto Uke B: Combinations 4, 5, 6 C: Kicks Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri, Yoko Geri D: Kata Pinan Shodan E: Impact as 6th Kyu plus Oi Zuki E: Sparring Protective equipment must be worn 4th Kyu - Purple Belt
Training requirement: Minimum 4 months training from last grading A: Basics (Kamae) as 5th kyu plus Ashi Barai Blocks Shuto Uke, Uchi Uke B: Combinations 5, 6, 7 C: Kicks as 5th Kyu D: Kata Pinan Yondan, plus any previous Kata E: Impact Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, Sekkyaku Zuki, Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri, Yoko Geri E: Sparring Protective equipment must be worn 3rd Kyu - Brown Belt
Training requirement: Minimum 6 months training from last grading A: Basics (Kamae) Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, Maeken Zuki, Uraken Uchi, Ashi Barai Blocks Gedan Barai, Jodan Uke, Shuto Uke B: Combinations 6, 7, 8 C: Kicks Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri, Ushiro Geri D: Kata Pinan Godan, plus any previous Kata E: Impact as 4th Kyu plus Maeken Zuki, Gedan Barai, Gyaku Zuki, Ashi Barai E: Sparring Protective equipment must be worn 2nd Kyu - Brown Belt with White Stripe
Training requirement: Minimum 6 months training from last grading A: Basics (Kamae) Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, Sekkyaku Zuki, Uraken Uchi, Ashi Barai Blocks Gedan Barai, Jodan Uke, Soto Uke B: Combinations 7, 8, 9 C: Kicks as 3rd Kyu plus Yoko Geri D: Kata Jiin, plus any previous Katas E: Impact as 3rd Kyu plus Ushiro Geri. Substitute Jodan Uke for Gedan Barai E: Sparring Protective equipment must be worn 1st Kyu - Brown Belt with Red Stripe
Training requirement: Minimum 6 months training from last grading A: Basics (Kamae) as 2nd Kyu plus Maeken Zuki Blocks Shuto Uke, Soto Uke, Uchi Uke B: Combinations 8, 9, 10 C: Kicks as 2nd Kyu D: Kata Annanku, plus any previous Katas E: Impact as 2nd Kyu plus Uraken Uchi, Ushiro Mawashi Geri. Substitute Shuto Uke for Jodan Uke E: Sparring Protective equipment must be worn Grade: Shodan 1st Dan - Black Belt with 1 red tab
Training requirement: Minimum 6 months training from last grading Syllabus: refer to SKA Manual Grade: Nidan 2nd Dan - Black Belt with 2 Red tabs (yellow stripe)
Training requirement: Minimum 2 years training from last grading Syllabus: refer to SKA Manual Grade: Sandan 3rd Dan - Black Belt with 3 Red tabs (orange stripe)
Training requirement: Minimum 3 years training from last grading Syllabus: refer to SKA Manual Grade: Yondan 4th Dan - Black Belt with 4 Red tabs (green stripe)
Training requirement: Minimum 4 years training from last grading Syllabus: refer to SKA Manual Combinations
Shukokai Karate has within it's basic techniques a number of set movements known as combinations. In total there are 10 combinations with lowerer grades needing to know the lower numbered combinations and as you progress through the grades you will need proficiency in all the combinations.
10th Kyu - White Belt with red stripe - no combinations
9th Kyu - Red Belt - combinations 1, 2
8th Kyu - Yellow Belt - combinations 1, 2
7th Kyu - Orange Belt - combinations 1, 2, 3
6th Kyu - Green Belt - combinations 3, 4, 5
5th Kyu - Blue Belt - combinations 4, 5, 6
4th Kyu - Purple Belt - combinations 5, 6, 7
3rd Kyu - Brown Belt - combinations 6, 7, 8
2nd Kyu - Brown Belt with white stripe - combinations 7, 8, 9
1st Kyu - Brown Belt with red stripe - combinations 8, 9, 10
1st Dan and above - refer to SKA Manual.
All Combinations start from Standard Stance.
Combination Number 1
Step forward and land. Right hand Jodan punch. Left hand Thrust. Step Back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 2
Project Forward. Right hand Chudan punch. Left hand Thrust. Project Back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 3
Project Forward. Change hands, Left hand Jodan punch. Right hand Thrust. Project Back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 4
Right leg snap kick and land. Right hand Jodan punch. Left hand Thrust. Step Back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 5
Right hand Chudan punch. Left hand Thrust. Step with the right leg, Left leg snap kick and land. Right hand Jodan punch. Left hand Thrust. Step Back. Cross arms to Right hand Standard Stance. Step Back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 6
Step Back. Right hand Shuto block. Left hand Chudan punch. Right hand Thrust. Step forward. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 7
Project forward. Left hand Gedan Block. Right hand Chudan punch. Left hand thrust. Project back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 8
Step forward. Right hand feint, right hand Chudan punch, Right hand thrust (all movements are carried out as you step forward). Step back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 9
Right foot Ashi barai and land forward. Right hand Jodan punch. Left hand thrust. Step Back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.
Combination Number 10
Right foot Mawashi Geri (changing guard hand). Land forward. Left hand Chudan punch. Right hand thrust. Step back. Cross arms to Standard Stance.