ECCLES-BASED Nagashi are the karate kings once more after some stirring performances at the recent SKA Grand Prix in Worsley.
The
club, who train at Alexandra House in Peel Green, fought their way to
four golds, a silver and a bronze medal to start the six-match series
in style.
Alan Ball, Melissa and Steve Thomas, and Jasmin
Macauley won top prizes, while clubmates Richard Black (silver) and
Jack Floyd (bronze) were also among the honours.
Chief
instructor Derek Willoughby told Advertiser Sport: "I'm over the moon
with the results we got. I was expecting them to do well but they
exceeded that. I think this is going to be a good year for the club."
First published by the Salford Advertiser
Published: 6th March 2001
Melissa's a little marvel
BRAVE Melissa Thomas has fought against all the odds to become one of the North West's most promising karate stars.
The 15-year-old, who attends Cannon Williamson High School in Eccles, was born with her feet and hips twisted inwards.
But
she has proved the doubters wrong, twice winning the national title and
remaining undefeated for the entire 16 months since she took up the
sport.
And to complete a remarkable few months for the plucky
youngster, she was earlier this week named in the British Karate
Association's Elite Squad.
Proud mum Sandra said: "Up to the age of seven Melissa fell and tripped over a lot because of her condition."
A
friend's interest in martial arts took her down to Nagashi in Peel
Green, where under chief instructor Derek Willoughby she has made
incredible progress.
Said Derek: "I am extremely proud of her.
Considering the difficulties Melissa faced when she was younger I am
very, very pleased she has made it this far."
First published by the Salford Advertiser
Published: 7th October 2004
Karate’s golden child
RICHARD Black produced a sensational performance to regain his world title in Switzerland.
The
17-year-old, from the Nagashi Karate Club in Eccles, won gold at the
World Karate Association championship for the second time last month.
And
it was nearly a double celebration for the talented youngster, but the
British senior team had to settle for silver after missing out on first
place by 0.1 of a point.
A second gold medal for Richard would
have been truly remarkable, especially as he was forced to learn a
different style of karate on the morning of the event.
"It’s
like being a rugby league player and being asked to play rugby union -
they’re just totally different," explained Richard, who was still
disappointed with only one gold.
"I didn’t know I would be
entering the team competition but they asked me to compete. I only had
one-and-a-half hours to learn the style but I was still disappointed to
not win gold - I don’t do silver!"
After a successful few months
for the A-level student - he won his eighth national title in April -
the teenager has his sights firmly set on the European Championships
next month. Richard will travel to Sheffield knowing he will have to be at his best if he wants to retain his European title.
But
dad and instructor Dave knows his son won’t be resting on his laurels.
He said: "He is so dedicated and highly-motivated he just wants to win
everything." Liam Chronnell
First published by the Salford Advertiser
Report sent to, and published in The Salford Advertiser:
AT a recent competition in Preston (26/06/05), the students of Nagashi Shukokai Karate have yet again come away with a number of trophies.
The students attended the British Shotokan Kyogi Junior Open Championships tournament.
The
quality of refereeing was excellent and we would like to thank all
those involved in the organising of the event, especially Sensei
Charles Gidley for the initial invitation.
The club is based at Alexandra House in Peel Green, Eccles.
The
Chief Instructor, Derek Willoughby 4th Dan Shukokai stated "Every
student that attended received a trophy for first second or third. The
students are a credit to the club and as always are destined for bigger
and better things. We will be going back to the same venue later this
year to defend these titles. The club is part of the BKA, and so we
will be attending the Association Championships around October this
year"
Published: 16th March 2006 National Championships Glory
TWO
Salford 10-year-olds proved themselves to be top of the chops at the
British Karate Association National Championships in Oldham.
Eccles’
Alyx Entwistle made light work of much taller and more experienced
karate students to be win the boys fourth Kyu kumite (fighting) title
for purple belts and above.
Fellow Nagashi Shukokai Karate
student Paige Heath also had to compete against more experienced
opponents. The Winton ace finished second in the the junior girls kata
(patterned movements) category and third in the junior girls kumite
section.
Fourth dan black belt Derek Willoughby, who is the
chief instructor at the Nagashi Shukokai Karate club, said: "Once again
we have proved that Nagashi students can attend a national competition
and win with style.
"Alyx was certainly the Nagashi student of
the day. He proved the old phrase ‘it is not the dog in the fight that
matters but the fight in the dog’.
"With more experience, Paige has the potential to become a national champion too.
"They have both been nominated by me for selection in the BKA national team, which attends international competitions."
Both
students have been training at Nagashi Shukokai Karate, which is based
at Alexandra House in Peel Green, for a year and a half.
Alyx,
who finished third in the katas at last year’s British Karate
Association National Championships, is on his last brown belt while
Paige is a purple belt.