International Karate Masters training session in Ramsgate – The Isle Of Thanet News

Ramsgate hosted the first European Uechi Ryu Karate seminar, bringing together practitioners from the UK, Germany and the USA for a weekend of intensive karate training.

Uechi Ryu is a karate style that originated on the Japanese island of Okinawa. It differs from many other karate styles in that it has retained many influences from Chinese kung fu.

High-ranking instructors were on hand to share their knowledge with the participants, including octogenarian Sensei George Mattson, a 10th Dan black belt who was responsible for introducing Uechi Ryu karate to America 60 years ago. He came from Okinawa, where he was stationed as a member of the U.S. Army.

Also delivering the training were senseis Darin Yee, Paul Swift and Roy Bedard from the US, Paul Kronschrabl from Germany and Al Wharton, originally from Bermuda and now living in Kent.

The seminar was organised by Lee Adams, leader of the Shogun Martial Arts school, who teaches karate and aikido at his full-time dojo in Herne Bay.

The event, held at Ellington Infant School, was a great success, with international visitors enjoying their time in Ramsgate. Plans are currently underway for the next European event, which is likely to be held in Germany next year.

For more information about training in Uechi Ryu karate, visit the Shogun Martial Arts Facebook page or contact (e-mail address)