Our annual Student of the Year was held on Sunday 3rd December at Kearsley Academy. It is a celebratory course for those who have excelled in karate throughout 2023. Each Instructor puts forward a group of students who will receive a reward for their efforts. It is a much anticipated event as there are so many amazing students at Red Tiger. We have over 1800 registered students training across 55+ classes stretching right round the M60 and beyond. We have dojo’s from Warrington, Cheshire right up to Rawtenstall, Lancashire. So if you get picked for this event, you must be pretty special.

The event was packed and there are so many awesome karate coming through, the future looks so bright!

Student of the year 2023 was opened with our Chief Instructor welcoming parents and students to the last event of the year. Paul Sensei congratulated all students for their invite. The group was taken through a warm up by Grace Baron Sensei. Paul Sensei then took the group from some kihon drills focusing on punches forward and the incorporating mawatte. Paul Sensei explained the importance of landing in your stance with the correct position of the knee. The whole group then performed a short combination of punching with a step behind and to the side. Sections of the group then performed it in front of each other.

The first part of the session saw everyone work through Kata Kakuyoku Shodan (a Koten Kata created by Asia Sensei 10th Dan). Paul Sensei asked Jaime Pratley and Grace Sensei to demonstrate small parts of the kata. Timing and explanation of the kata bunkai was explained. At the end students who felt comfortable to stay up performed the kata to their own timing. We even had a few red belts and younger students stay up which was really impressive.

The 2nd part of the seminar focused on short Kumite drills. Students were paired up and first focused on reaction in pairs. Students were asked to react to their partner tapping arms and legs. Students continued the reaction drills, this time to react and strike our partner in front. Paul Sensei asked groups to stay up and show their drills. We had a few impressive groups, Noah Vernon, Greg Burton and James Sherlock went first. We also had a few other students who stood out imcluding; Isabella Fernandes, Esme Smith and Courtney Alty. The students then free sparred with instructors joining in to test the students.

The annual Instructors/student relay was next with Paul Sensei disqualifying the whole group due to some suspicious behaviour. We will have to try again next year.

We then took a short break to prepare for this year’s demonstrations. Outgoing winners perform a Kata in front of this year’s nominees, the instructor team and parents watching. It is a daunting task for anyone as there is so many people to perform in front of. Most Improved Student 2022 - Jayden Clarke kicked off the demonstrations in style with a sharp and dynamic Kata Kankusho. You can do this kata in our club for 4th Dan and it is a popular kata on the Tournament circuit. It has challenging kicks and 2 jumps. All of which Jayden absolutely nailed. Well done.

Student of the Year 2022 winner - Loui D’Attorre was up next with Kata Gojushiho Sho. Its an extremely long and technically challenging Kata which requires endurance training and a keen eye for detail. Loui performed this Kata brilliantly and kept his composure throughout.

Our Elite Kata Squad demonstrations followed with Grace Baron and Izzy Baron performing Kata ‘Gojoshiho Dai’ and Jaime performed Kata ‘Unsu’. Their performances were just outstanding, and you still can enjoy them as they have been posted on our social media group pages (Red Tiger Karate Group on Facebook and Instagram). It is our hope that watching these three students perform at the very highest level will be just the inspiration our next generation of superstars need. Karate like this is achieved at a cost though. It is hard work and sacrifice; it is training in the dojo day after day when you could be doing other ‘teenager’ stuff. It is strength training, it is performance analysis, it is constant and never-ending practise for marginal improvement. It is going to comps and getting knocked down ten times and getting back up eleven.

Paul Sensei then explained the importance of leaders and senior students continuing to work hard and set the right example for others to follow regardless of their age or how many years they have been practising karate. We are blessed to have so many outstanding youngsters and young adults who continue to train and develop with us. We are a Club for all.

To finish each Instructor was awarded their teaching certificate in recognition for the number of years they have been teaching. We have such a wonderful team of Instructors with a wealth of experience between us. Huge thank you to our Sensei’s who continue to teach their students and encourage them to reach the highest of standards. We are tremendously lucky to have such a dedicated team of lovely and talented people!

Mike Beckwith Sensei then thanked the parents and members for making RTK such a special club. Mike informed the group of Paul Sensei passing 6th Dan back in October and presented him with a beautiful glass award. Thank you for this award Sensei Mike, it is pride of place on the mantlepiece.

All of the individual trophies were awarded to the students by their Instructors with only 3 large trophies left to award - Student of the Year 2023, Most Improved Student of 2023 and Instructors Choice Award 2023 - voted by all the Instructors.

Congratulations to the following students who received these awards:

Greg Burton - Student of the Year 2023

Greg has been training with us since 2009 and over the past 14 years we have watched him become one of the most exceptionally talented students we have ever had the pleasure of teaching. He has grown into such a polite and humble young man. He trains consistently and has done since the day he started. Three sessions a week, every week without fail. Always working hard. He is the perfect example of what can be achieved when somebody just continues to try their best and to push themselves year after year. It’s not always been easy for Greg, he had to repeat doing his 1st dan with the JKS as his standard wasn’t where it needed to be for his ability. He is also quite shy which doesn’t always go in his favour. He will admit that Kiai’s and Japanese counting are not his strong point! Ever since that setback, he has excelled. Sometimes experiencing failure can really light a fire beneath you and this definitely happened with Greg. He began to train harder and work on his fitness and strength in the gym to compliment his work in the dojo. Fast forward a few years and his karate is now excellent in all areas. He has gained a deep understanding about what he is doing and is an absolutely solid student. There is no doubt that Greg is a superb fighter and can do just about anything when it comes to kumite, but he is also no slouch when it come to Kata. He proved that when he did his Sandan. His Kata was so strong. Greg’s got a great sense of humour too, but you would never know it because he is so shy. I really feel like Mum Bernie (Sensei) and his twin brother Phill deserve a mention because they all started together and continue to do it together as a family. Pushing each other and keeping each other going. We are honoured and blessed to have Team Burton in our Club and so pleased that Greg has won this award at last after being so close to winning for many years. Greg truly and fully deserves this and should be immensely proud of himself. As always, I am sure he will be smiling on the inside, but not on this picture unfortunately!

Courteney Alty - Most Improved Student of 2023

Courteney is another fabulous student who has been training in karate for well over a decade. We have been lucky enough to watch her grow from being shy and quiet little girl into a wonderfully kind and extraordinarily talented young adult. She has put so much time and effort into her karate over the years, she has persevered and this has resulted in her being one of the best young females we have ever worked with. She has trained consistenly from the very start. Always with a smile on her face, even through those awkward teenage years. Always a pleasure to be around and happy to be in the dojo. Similar to Greg, there have been moments where she has been pushed to her limits by us, both mentally and physically but Courteney always comes through the other side much stronger for it. She is such a resilient character with two of the most supportive parents behind her. It’s the perfect recipe for success. My favourite quality of Courtneys is the light energy that she brings. She is so positive and willing to be taught. Some higher grades lose this the more experienced they become. They can become complacent and think they’ve done this and know it already. Courteney never fails to try and wants to be better. She will show up and give you 100% even after a long day at the clink or if she is sore from previous sessions. She was exceptional when she did her 2nd Dan. It was a real honour to watch how she has developed. Since then, she has never looked back. Still learning, still improving and still enjoying every moment. I am sure I am not the only Sensei who is pleased when I see her name on my register. I think - YES! Courteneys on - we will have a good class and a giggle! I couldn’t be happier for you to finally get the recognition that you deserve. It has been a long time coming. Well done Missus!

Alex Moriarty - Instructors Choice Award 2023

What a year Alex has had. We have known Alex for most of her life. She was an phenomenal junior who was always karate MAD. She was training in the dojo every single day before she went off to University and worked her way up to an excellent standard. She earned her black belt many years ago and worked so hard for it. And when I say she worked hard - I really mean it, she worked till she was nearly sick. I can still remember it now thinking wow, this person has so much passion for karate and will do anything to get this belt. We could have had her her there all day, shouting out Katas and she would do it until she passed out. The commitment to her training and the desire to be excellent was always there and it is so admirable. Fast forward a few years and its like she’s never been away. Anybody who has ever taken a break from their training might think that we won’t want them back but we always do. I was delighted to receive a message from Alex letting us know she was living back in the area and wanted to restart. ABSOLUTELY it’s the easiest YES in the World! It’s like riding a bike, you quickly get back into the rhythm of things and she picked up where she left off. Soon, she was back training every day and working so hard she’s nearly sick! She has had such a fantastic year we have recently promoted her to Instructor. I am sure I can speak for all the Instructors when I say having Alex around is like a breath of fresh air. She sets a great example to others and has got us all upping our game. She suffered a setback earlier this year but the way she came back from it has earned the respect of everybody. Getting out of her comfort zone, working on the thing she finds the hardest and seeing great improvement. Well done I am sure 2024 will be another great year for you and your students are lucky to have you!

Here is a full list of all of our award winners for Student of the Year 2023 congratulations to you all:

Olivia Shone, Elliette Brownhill, Neve Anderton, Hattie Crompton, Finley Waldron, Bradley Insley, Leo Cross, Alex Moriarty, Zena Clarke, Jayden Clarke, Loui D'Attorre, Leigh Smith-Berry, Jessica Sowden, Chris Hogg, James Rigby, Holly Kendall, Holly Percival, Charlie Percival, Isaac Whittaker, Arthur Purdy, Jake Quinn, Michelle Quinn, Georgia Ryder, Isaac Shakos, Harmani Solanki, Caroline Paxton, Chris Paxton, Lucas Paxton, Courteney Alty, Greg Burton, Calulla Curtis, Joey Curtis, Izzy Baron, Jaime Pratley, Kyle Girault, Lola Girault, Andy Matanle, Xander Matanle, Tzachi Kittaer, Alice Kittaer, Poppy Evans, Lily O Donovan, Mason Kenny, Meg Fu, Thomas Dolan, Liam Dolan, Mike Simcoe, Jack Dugdale, Alex Holden, James Dwyer, James Sherlock, Terry Kelly, Syra McColl, Ezra Smith, Esme Smith, Ryan Smith, Marley Coucher, Vikki Cargill, Ted Woodcock, Noah Purvis, Logan Hill-Critchley, Ava Staton, Darren Williams, Jannah Haque, Seren Rutter, Daniel Kirkman, Nathan Williams, Lauren McDermott, Benjamin McDermott, Grace Wilson, Joe Rutter, Harry Hunter-Walsh, Isaac Jepson, Becky Mangnall, Caitlin Lowe, Ali Gencer, Mason McGowan, Amelia Cross, Isabella Lawrie, Samantha Lawrie, Daniel Price, Callum Durkin, Frankie Horrobin, Roman James Lewis, Jack Dugdale, Joseph Corlett, Andrew Guest, Daaniya Faisal, Harrison Pilkington, Alex Treagus-Mullan, Kevin Rajapaske, Lara Abdalla, Luke Jepson, Evie Dorney, Jacob Bucknall-Ryder, Charley Larkman, Catherine Johnson, Luke Barnett, Jonathan Dipnall, Max Southern, Mazie Southern, Isabella Fernandes, Matthew Fernandes, Carlo Steen, William Cristoforo, Anqi Bury, John Oliver, Danika Wood, Lauren Everett, Ethan Everett, Daniel Chidgey, Brooke O Neill, Spencer Bugler, Adam Belshaw, Richard Kirkup, Milly Dobbs, Euan Hall, Millie Porter, Aymeric De Bezenac Messer, Amalys De Bezenac Messer, Jacob Lucas, Isobella Lawson, Helen Cowley, Oscar Thomson, Hector Scott, Roddy Woods, Alex Davison, Rebecca Hudgton, Thomas Cartwright, Harry Stabler, Mittle Little, Marley Little, Noah Vernon, Kirsten Wood, Sebbie Orange.