Tokei Kyokushin

I came to Tokei in 1997, mid-way through my university course.  I had tried a number of other sports in university (rowing, etc) but I had never really been able to “get into them” and, in truth, I was looking for something that would keep me fit, without me feeling like it was a chore to do so.  Two friends of mine (on the same course) recommended Tokei to me; one used the weights room, the other did Larry’s judo class.  They both had heard that karate was also taught there, though, in truth, neither knew very much about it.

I remember my 1^st kyokushin class.  I didn’t really know what to expect.  I had done other martial arts and sports before, but I was still apprehensive as, every style/ teacher/ class is different.  I was taken through an extremely hard warm up (by the end of which I was seeing stars!), and then a senior grade (a brown or black belt) was told to take me aside and instruct me.  The session ended with around about 15 minutes of sparring (which I was to later find out was unusually brief) with the other students (mostly) taking it easy on me, and from that moment I was hooked!  Other styles/ classes I had tried, had me wait weeks or even months before I was allowed to spar (one club didn’t even practice sparring!) but Tokei was different.  I also found the other students and instructors in the club very friendly and approachable.  That, in conjunction with my lengthy university course, meant I would be in the area for the long haul, so I dug my heels in, and kept turning up to the sessions, happy in the knowledge that (unless I switched courses/ colleges) I could potentially stick with it.

So that’s how it began really, for me.  Over the years I have had the privilege of being taught by a number of different instructors, each excellent in their own way; my first Sempai (Chris) took me aside and taught me how to use my hands, putting together combinations and keeping my guard up (very useful when sparring!).  My main instructor, Sensei Orlando, has taken me from a 10^th kyu white belt, all the way up to Shodan, and beyond.  I presently hold the grade Nidan, or 2^nd Dan black belt, and I can honestly say that without the support and camaraderie of other members of the club, as well as Sensei’s motivation when my confidence was waning, I probably wouldn’t have gotten to where I am now.  I now live 2 hours away from the club; I still find the 4 hour round trip well worth it for the quality of teaching, enthusiasm and friendliness of the classes.

Nowadays, I find myself in the converse position; I am often the senior grade called upon by Sensei to take beginners aside at the back of the class and teach them the basics.  Not everyone who starts kyokushin will stick with it (in fact a relatively small proportion do) –different horses, as they say –but it’s nice to see when they come back for a second, then a third lesson; and even more rewarding when they take and pass their first grading.  I guess it just reminds me of when I was in their position, working my way up the grades.  The standard of fighting in the club now stands at the highest it’s ever been, in my opinion, with several members going out to fight and doing well in British, European and even World tournaments.

I have made a number of good friends at Tokei, from so many different walks of life.  The one thing binding us together seems to be our interest and passion forkyokushin, and we always meet in the club bar after the sessions for a chat and a drink –such is the friendliness of our club.