Sensei Spinks, 3rd Dan, teaches alongside Sensei Lee Smith, 5th Dan, at Woodlane Ishinryu.

He will be a welcome addition to the course and we look forward to welcoming him to the North-East.

The championships take place in Tenerife in May.

Aaron will aim for selection in the individual U-84kg category and fior the men’s team.

The selections take palce in Barsley on Sunday.

We wish him good luck.

Aaron will head to france this weekend full of confidence – despite an early round exit last week.

One slip of concentration saw Aaron’s opponent  sneak a three point kick. Aaron went chasing the fight and was unable to capitalise.

His opponent went on to the semi-finals – and eventually claimed the bronze medal – in a world-class field.

Aaron felt he still could have beaten his opponent and is confident he can still get among the medals this weekend.

Good luck. Ishin!

The competition attracvt the world’s best.

Aaron admits he was a bit rusty and made a few mistakes which he intends to put right when he returns to France again this weekend for another event – this time in Wasquehal.

We wish him good luck.

Our other Ishinryu kata competitors also missed out on the medals – but there was a great performance from John Gardner who made the last 16 among some of the best athletes in the world.

Forms are available on our Facebook page, here or from club instructors.

The price of the course is JUST £10 for two sessions withn one of Ishinryu’s top instructors. You would be a fool to miss out.

We’ve also decided to open up the course to other clubs. This is an excellent opportunity. The course will be on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at Sedgefield Community College.

Sensei Smith is one of Ishinryu’s senior instructors and runs the Woodlane Ishinryu club – the longest serving club in the association.

Sensei Smith is a widely-respected karateka and it will be a pleasure to welcome him to the North East.

It is an opportunity not to be missed.

More details to follow soon.

Karate 1 sees the world’s best karate athletes gather for a grand prix of tournaments across the year – the first being in Paris on Saturday and Sunday.

Aaron will compete in the U-84kg category.

Good luck also to our other Ishinryu athletes taking part – Jonathan Mottram, Emma Lucraft, John Gardner and Aimee Sell – who will all compete in kata.

A special award for dedication and loyalty was awarded to Brogan Turner who is the club’s longest serving member.

It was a great way to end a terrific year for the club – with some fantastic feedback from parents.

Well done to all. And remember classes re-start in the New Year on January 3.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2012.

Passing 10th kyu were: Victoria Rutherford, Kyle Hodgkinson, Jamie Kinkade. Katie Baldam, Tracey Baldam and five-year-old Courtney Pigford – who claimed the grading of the day.

Rebecca Lawton, Callum Robson, Jack Baldam, Bradley Paul and Malachi Dobie all passed 8th kyu.

While Tiegan Dobie passed her 7th kyu and Brogan turner her 4th kyu.

Congratulations to all. You’ve all worked really hard.

Don’t forget Thursday is our club presentation night which will be the last session until January 3.

Click here for more pictures

Also, East Durham presentation and training night on Thursday, December 15.

This will be the last class of 2011.

Training will resume in the New Year on January 3.