The Japan Karate Association of England European Championships
2 April 2011, Surrey
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The Japan Karate Association of England was proud to host this year¡Çs JKA European Championships. As many as 250 of the best karate students from nearly 30 countries came together for a one-day tournament on 2 April in Surrey. We were honoured to have Mr Satonobu Matsunaga, Councillor (Education and Sports) at the Embassy of Japan, as a very special guest to watch the day unfold. Participants competed in two categories; kata, a series of choreographed moves; and kumite, karate fighting with the principle of one single punch or kick being able to decide each bout. The day progressed until only the best of the best were left to face each other in the finals. The Referees and Judges, all of whom are registered with the JKA headquarters in Tokyo, looked for the highest degree of skill, speed and spirit to decide the final winners. With professional lighting, sound, a vast team of volunteers and support from the Kinki Nippon Tourist Company and Tsukuba University, the day was a fantastic success. Almost every country came away with a medal, but more important was the wonderful spirit of the nations who, once the competition was over, joined together to share their experiences of the day. The host hotel the Arora Gatwick kindly allowed us to celebrate into the night before each country left to go home.
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As a mark of respect, everyone stood for a one-minute silence to acknowledge the terrible events in Japan before the competition started. Our Headquarters in Tokyo asked each of the countries within the Association to try to help the various relief funds and JKA England, with its strong connection to Japan, immediately agreed. With our clubs all over the country organising sponsored events such as kickathons, katathons and kumite sessions, we were able to raise over ¡ò2000, which has now been sent to help support those who need it.
For more information about karate please go to www.jka-england.org
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Tony Cronk
General Secretary, JKA England
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The Great East Japan Earthquake Appeal 5-a-side Football Tournament
16 April 2011
Maeda Gakuen, Acton, London
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On a sunny Sunday afternoon, 14 football teams met at the Maeda Gakuen nursery school in Acton to participate in a charity 5-a-side football tournament hosted by London Japanese Junior FC (LJJFC) and Play for Japan. The goal was to raise money for the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster Fund through sport.
The Embassy of Japan entered a team which was placed in the beginner¡Çs group alongside London Japanese RFC and Warwick University Japan Society. After a slow start, the Embassy team quickly gelled and beat Warwick University Japan Society in the first match. The Embassy¡Çs second game, against London Japanese RFC, who had also beaten Warwick, proved to be the decider in that group. It was a close encounter with both sides creating chances. It ended in a draw, however, and London-Japanese RFC, with a better goal difference, emerged victorious. |
The Embassy of Japan team |
Mr Yoshida presents the captain of KFC with the trophy.
Image: Akio Hayakawa |
Now, it was time for the Embassy team to rest their weary legs and watch the final of the overall tournament between London Japanese Football Club and another ex-pat Japanese team, KFC. This was a tense encounter played at a high tempo and with great precision. KFC scored the only goal of the game in the dying minutes, leaving little time for London-Japanese to stage a fightback and it was KFC who were presented with the trophy by Mr. Takeshi Yoshida, First Secretary at The Embassy of Japan.
Overall, a great day was had by all and around ¡ò2000 was raised for for the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster Fund. |
| Ride for Japan - Charity Bike Ride from Swansea to London |
On 20 April, just over one month since the massive earthquake and tsunami devastated parts of North East Japan, seven friends and I set off from Swansea on a charity cycle ride to London to raise money for the Red Cross appeal. We had felt helpless in the face of the disaster but wanted to do something to assist in some way. Being cyclists, a long distance ride seemed to be a good way to contribute.
Sat at the start, however, it no longer seemed like such a great idea. We were close to our goal of raising £2,000 but now we had to complete our side of the bargain and ride from Swansea to London, a distance of over 220 miles, in just two days. |
220 miles to go... |
The moment soon came for us to set off on what would be, for all of us, the furthest we had ever ridden. It was hard not to think about the great distance before us and be intimidated by our task. We soon got into a rhythm, though, as cyclists do, and the enjoyment of the ride quickly pushed aside our doubts and fears. With our varying abilities, we covered the miles at our own pace, at times speeding off from the group and at times watching the other riders disappear over the next hill.
The following day, we arrived at the doors of the Japanese Embassy on Piccadilly at 10.30pm, long after it had closed. We were met by friends and family who had been waiting patiently for our appearance on that warm London night. We had done it! We had ridden from South Wales to London and we were all very tired and sore. We made our return journey by train on 22 April and, with very sore legs and an insatiable hunger, I began to appreciate the distance we had travelled and the huge effort it had taken us all to finish it.
Thanks to everyone that has made our ride possible and, more importantly, to everyone who has sponsored us. You have made this much more than a very long bike ride.
http://www.justgiving.com/rideforjapan |
Jonathan Atkinson, cyclist |
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