Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Club Highlights 2011

Some of the club successes during 2011 have been hosting the annual February SEKU Black and Brown belt course, success at the March SEKU championships and the November Portsmouth open for Cory Swinfield, Albert Hart, Andy Shorkey, as well as a successful day at the Paulsgrove Junior Competition, and all the other club members that took part in these events

Visiting Instructors to the club have included Dave Hazard 7th Dan, a Masterclass of Shotokan and Goju Ryu with Mick Dewey and George Andrews, a closed Seminar of Filipino martial arts with Guru Terry Barnett see the events page for next year – a Seminar not to be missed, , as well as a special Seminar for ground work with Mick Poole 6th Dan Judo – who came out of retirement to put on a superb class. This year l am hoping to expand the range of quality instruction even further please keep coming back to see whats happening.

As well as visiting instructors we as a club have attended many training sessions on the mainland, notably with Sensei Dave Hazard including attending Paul Herberts French course where Sensei was a guest instructor, members also attended Sensei Dewey’s Bridport course.

I would like to personally congratulate Malcolm Jupp and Andrew Shorkey on achieving 4th Dan, Robert Bollen 3rd Dan, and Mike Lynton 2nd Dan. i would also like to thank and congratulate Rob, Andy, Malc for 23 years of support to me and the club.

Personally 2011 has been a very busy year for me with my own personal training as well as work commitments and i would like to thank all my Senior Instructors that have helped with the teaching, and maintaining the high standard within the club while i have been away from the Dojo.

Throughout 2011 the club welcomed 47 new members of all ages, and new beginners classes are scheduled for January 2012.

The club this year has seen the 6 – 8 pee wee section grow, and i hope to develop this group of children further this year, as they are the future.

The classes at Westwight sports centre have grown over the last year and I plan to develop this section of the club further over the next 12 months

I would like to thank all students young and old and the parents of the younger ones for their continued support over what will be in 2012 the 28th year.

Finally l would like to thank Lisa for the continuing support she has given to me and the club and the backroom work she does to allow me to focus on the teaching and more importantly my personal training.

I look forward to resuming training on the 5th Jan and having a successful 2012.

Happy 2012 – Mark Elliott

Mark Elliott /Malcolm Jupp and Ben Maher Traveled to Paul Herberts French summer camp in July near Rouen where Guest Instructor was Dave Hazard 7th Dan.

The Club is pleased to announce the joint course with SEKU Chief instructor Mick Dewey and Okinawan Traditional Goju Ryu Karate Association Chief Instructor George Andrews!!!!!!

This is the first time both Sensei have co hosted a joint Seminar anywhere and the club is pleased to bring these two legends of the English and World Karate Circuit together for what will be a truly special event.

Both sensei have over 40 years training behind them and have been associated with the Fitness Factory since the 1980′s  and l as their student and friend am proud to host this seminar

Date – 23rd October 2011

For further info please see the details on the front page.

Mark Elliott

Mark Elliott would like to congratulate all those that Trained and Passed their relevant grade at the last club grading in December with Sensei Dewey 8th Dan.

Well Done

Next Grading is March 25th 2012

Although a little late for the summer the club has commissioned a “Club Tee Shirt” – ideal for wearing under the gi for ladies/young girls and boys.

Also great as a fashion statement !!!!!

Modeled here by students Dave Cave and Ben Maher (Nice eye lids Ben)

To order a Tee please speak to mark or Lisa

On the 30/04/11 it was the 2011 SEKU Annual Championships at the Portsmouth Mountbatten Centre and The Fitness Factory where there in force. The team lead by Sensei Malcolm Jupp and  Andy Shorkey consisted of Albert Hart, Isaac Rice and Cory Swinfield. Sensei Laurance Barton-Smith and Sensei Robert Bollen also  provided support.
First up was the Peewee (Under 10′s) Individual Kata of which Cory was competing in and after making it into the finals decided to perform Heian Sandan to be judged on and came away with  1st Place.
Next up it was Alberts’ time to shine by taking 3rd place in the Junior Under 5ft Sanbon Kumite and 1st place in the Boy’s 5ft and Under Individual Kumite.
Then at the end of the day Sensei Andy brought home a well earned 3rd place in the Men’s Individual Black Belt Kumite.
A mention must also go out to Sensei Malcolm who was doing very well in the events he was competing in but unfortunatly just missed out on getting into the finals and Isaac who was competing for the first time and has came away with some  valuable experience.
I would personally like to thank Malcolm and Andy for arranging the squad for each Championship and Event, and for the members that enjoy the competition side of Karate. – Mark Elliott

The next competion is on the 19/11/11 at Portsmouth Mountbatten Centre, so if you would like to represent The Fitness Factory at this event express your interest to Sensei Andy or Sensei Malcom nearer the time.

Fitness Factory Club Results
Cory Swinfield       1st – Peewee Individual Kata

Albert Hart            1st – Boy 5ft and Under Individual Kumite
3rd – Junior Under 5ft Sanbon Kumite

Andy Shorkey        3rd – Men’s Individual Black Belt Kumite

Thanks Jim for the report – Mark Elliott

A belated congratulation go to long serving members Sensei’s Malcolm Jupp, Andy Snorkey and Robert Bollen who successfully graded at the May SEKU Instructors class

Malcolm and Andy passed their  4^th Dan Grading

Robert passed his 3^rd Dan Grading – he achieved 2nd Dan in June 2000 so well worth the wait.

Michael Lynton also graded to 2nd Dan at the October Black and Brown Belt course held at Portchester.

Well done to you all

Mark Elliott

Details of the grading are attached here Please Click

I would like to congtatulate all those that graded in March with SEKU Chief Instructor – Mick Dewey 7th Dan

The Next Grading is 19th June 2011

Full details of grading results click here

I have always been keen to introduce and expose the club and my students to a wide range of instructors regardless of style and disciplines. So on Sunday 30th Jan, I had the pleasure of hosting a session for my senior students with Mick Poole 6th Dan Judo and Sambo wrestler. Mick has long since retired from competing and running a club, but after the invite last year Mick was up for showing my students a thing or two about grappling, close quarter combat and groundwork techniques which traditionally we don’t usually train in.

Mick was assisted by Chris Dowden (My first instructor in 1979!!!!!) who also gave a prospective from a Karate background. Feedback from attendees was very good, and hopefully a return will be arranged soon.

I would personally like to thank both Mick for putting a Gi back on after 5 years, and Chris, for giving my students the benefit of their knowledge in the grappling arts. Thank You – Mark Elliott

More pictures of a great session in the gallery