A well established, friendly club based in Staffordshire
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Email: lichfieldwadoryu@yahoo.co.uk
Lichfield Wado Ryu Karate Club was founded by Sensei Steve Hardwidge, 5th Dan, in 1980. After some 28 years running the club, Steve retired from martial arts and the club was passed onto his eldest son, Sensei Jason Hardwidge, 4th Dan.
Jason started his karate training when he was 4 years old under his Dad’s instruction and worked up through the ranks, eventually being awarded his 4th Dan in 2010. Following Sensei Steve’s retirement, Jason continued to run the club to a very high standard for a further 13 years, taking many students from white belt through to Dan Grade. In April 2021 Jason decided to hang up his belt to allow for more time to be spent with his young family. Jason passed the club onto Sensei Hannah Daw, 3rd Dan.
Hannah began training at Lichfield Wado Ryu Karate Club under Jason’s instruction when she was 14. In June 2014 Hannah graded to 1st Dan, and in April 2017 achieved her 2nd Dan. Hannah recently took her 3rd Dan grading following a 2 year delay due to COVID!
LWRK use a traditional Wado-Ryu syllabus in their teaching. However, this syllabus is only a guideline. The reason for this is that no structure is perfect. LWRK syllabus has therefore been expanded to help students.
A breakdown of LWRK's syllabus is:
-Tsuki-waza (punching techniques)
-Keri-waza (kicking techniques)
-Uke-waza (blocking techniques)
-Renraku-waza (combination techniques)
-Kata (form)
-Ippon, Kihon & Ohyo Gumite (semi-free fighting)
-Ji Yu Kumite (free fighting)
The full syllabus can be found here.
Techniques are not just practiced in mid-air, they are also practiced with a partner to help understand the direction of the techniques.
LWRK also cover the following:
-Taioshi (Take-downs)
-Naga/Otoshi (throws)
-Shime (chokes)
-Ashi barai (foot sweep)
-Bag work
-Real life self defence
