18.01.10 - Women only training day...

18.01.10 - Kids beginners courses start this week!

Monday - Karate for Kids (Mill Lane Pavilion, Potton) 5pm-6pm
Tuesday - Karate for Kids (Robert Peel Lower School, Sandy) 5pm-6pm
Wednesday - Karate for Kids (Broom Village Hall, Broom) 5pm-6pm
Wednesday - Judo for Kids (Broom Village Hall, Broom) 7pm-8pm
Thursday - Karate for Kids (Robert Peel Lower School, Sandy) 5pm-6pm

Check out the Schedule for more information on times and venues

13.01.10 - Natural Athletix course

As we move closer towards this Saturday's first Natural Athletix class here is a link to the scheduled morning run that will form our warm up: http://www.runfinder.co.uk/?r=140577

The route will be explained to all in attendance prior to starting but please familiarise yourself with it in due course. The run is only 1.15 miles in length and I have purposely kept the distance very short simply because this is the first session of the New Year for some of you, the first time some of you will have run [at all] and we will have children in attendance. Over the course of the Natural Athletix sessions obviously run courses will differ and length/duration will also increase. I will try my level best to produce a run for each Natural Athletix class by the Wednesday preceding the session so here is the first one.

Over the next three weeks the aim and objective of the Natural Athletix classes is to get your ‘General Physical Preparedness' (GPP) up to standard ahead of the more specific methodologies I will set for our “4 Weeks of Fitness 4 February”...

If you are unsure what Natural Athletix is all about simply click here for more information

It is not too late to attend the sessions, classes' start at 10am on Saturday 16th January 2010 and, unless told otherwise by myself, we meet at the junction of Cambridge Road and Brickhill Road in Sandy until approximately 11.30am. 

Anyone over the age of 8 years can attend regardless of whether you are a member of the Tokon Academy or not. Classes are charged at £5.00 per person and all Natural Athletix sessions are FREE to Silver, Gold & Platinum members. Please attend all session dressed accordingly to outdoor fitness exercise and please take into consideration the weather we have been experiencing of late.

Thanks and see you Saturday morning!

04.01.2010 - Natural Athletix returns from 16.01.2010!

30.12.09 - New Year resolutions!

Have you come up with a New Year resolution yet? Of course you have!
Will you by able to stick to it? I doubt it very much!

Research has demonstrated that the average resolution has something to do with exercise, being more active or with an aim of getting "fitter". Most resolutions only last a couple of weeks, a month at most and research has pointed to the fact that your are more likely to continue on your chosen path whilst working as part of a group or with like-minded people, which is where our 'Natural Athletix' programme comes in.

Motivation, through group cohesion is one of the main reasons we as humans progress. Exercising in this manner is no different and our brand new 'Natural Athletix' programme could be exactly what you are looking for to kick-start 2010.

Call 07742 624561 for more information or to book a place.

30.12.09 - New Year - New Schedule

Make sure you are aware of the new training schedule from January 2010. Click the image below.

23.12.09 - UK training camps for women [only]

For some time now we have seen a number of posts, threads and groups written and set up online specifically to address the distinct lack of support, direction and appreciation for all women within the grappling fraternity here in the United Kingdom. It has been established time and time again that the opportunities open to women in our sport of 'grappling' are far behind those of their male counterparts; an issue that is indicative in the wider context of the sporting environment. Nevertheless, great inroads have been laid and foundations have been set for women's grappling to achieve it full potential not only in the UK but also across the world as a whole.

A number of groups have been set up across the world for women to converge, learn and be inspired by other women. To support, direct and appreciate women's grappling with like-minded individuals. Work has also been done here in the UK with 'women only' classes at most of the big academies up and down the country and a number of smaller groups meeting on a monthly/bi-monthly basis to train and exchange ideas in an environment that is suited and much more comfortable and convenient for women to learn.

The UK has some terrifically talented female grapplers and we are able to boast high-level athletes from the fastest growing sport in the world today - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and also a crop of Olympic Judoka that are amongst the upper echelons of their respective weight categories. In 2010 this talent pool and sphere of knowledge is set to be tapped into in such a way that every women involved in grappling [whether a professional athlete or weekly hobbyist] will have the chance to train on a number of camps specifically designed and organised with women in mind.

From early 2010 KombatClinic.com will be helping organise to training camp's for women only. In the meantime a Facebook group has been set up for you to join and to keep up-to-date with the entire goings on, from planning to execution of our most recent camps and to chat, discuss and share your views with like-minded female grapplers! We look forward to hearing from you.

Click here to join our facebook group: http://bit.ly/4ArwcR

23.12.09 - Merry Christmas from all at the Tokon Academy

Don't forget New Years Day training:

Meet at the top of Cambridge Road, Sandy on New Years Day morning in running gear with warm clothing and refreshments for afterwards. Training will start at 10am prompt and consist of light run with some pad work and some sprints!

13.12.09 - Karate-do programme promotions

Congratulations to all the Tokon Academy members that were promoted as part of our December Karate grading examinations yesterday. Well done to those Karateka that were promoted to Brown belt (3rd Kyu) and special congratulations to Jack Banks who graded to junior black belt (Shodan).

09.12.09 - KombatClinic.com online magazine

Have you checked out KombatClinic.com lately? If not, then you are missing out on some seriously good interviews with national, European, Pan-Am and World Champions from the world of Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling.

December is definitely the month for female athletes as we are giving you staggered interviews with world-class female grapplers at staggered intervals as we lead up to Christmas and the beginning of the New Year. If you haven't been following the site you have already missed Nicola Fairbrother MBE (1992 Olympic silver medallist & 1993 World Judo Champion), Sarah Clark (2009 GB Judo World Cup Champion & 2009 European Judo silver medallist) and Helen Currie (the UK's only female Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt) but don't worry all the interviews are still online FREE so get over to KombatClinic.com and check them out...

Coming this Friday: Valerie Worthington (2009 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Mundials silver medallist) do not miss the interview!!!

07.12.09 - Karate mitts from January 2010

Please be aware from my following notices that those members enrolled onto the Tokon Academy Karate programme must all possess a pair of mitts for Kumite from 01 January 2010.

There are two varieties you can purchase, the mitts used in [mostly] traditional Karate Championships or Shobu Ippon rules events (white cotton mitts) and the more overt WKF approved (thumbless) mitts in either Red or Blue. Below are some links for both pairs.

Recommended website's:

Blitzsport.com: http://www.blitzsport.com/PU-Elite-Mitt-Without-Thumb?sc=8&category=6560
Black Eagle: http://www.black-eagle.co.uk/elite-karate-sparring-mitts-p-801.html

07.12.09 - New timetable from January

Please make sure you are all aware of the Tokon Academy training times and venues come January 2010. For more information on new times and venues click the schedule.

07.12.09 - The Tokon Academy Awards 2009

Just a quick post to say a huge thank you to all of you that attended out Christmas party and awards evening on Sunday. The event was great, the venue and service was very good and the company was exceptional! I hope you all had a good time and enjoyed the evening as much as I did.  It was nice to see some of the new students for the academy as well as the old faces and the support made me feel very proud to consider you all as friends. Special congratulations to the following people who won awards during last nights presentations:

• Tokon Academy Apprentice 2009/2010: Adam Weeks
• Tokon Academy Most Improved Girl 2009: Demi Hopkins
• Tokon Academy Most Improved Boy 2009: Alfie French
• Tokon Academy Members member 2009: Adam Weeks
• Tokon Academy TEAM of the year 2009: TEAM Tomari
• Tokon Academy Most Outstanding performance 2009: Archie Strath

• Tokon Academy Student of the year 2009: Rian Smeaton

I hold this award very close to my heart as this award is otherwise known as the Terry & Jean Sharman memorial shield, Terry & Jean were my Mother and Father in-law who sadly passed away within 18 months of each other. This award is not about ability (although it does play a small part) as I am very big on attitude and consistency and how these two contribute to personal development and improvement. When I see a junior trying harder than others around them to improve through listening and concentration they are added to my shortlist of winners.  This year I had a handful of names right up until I ordered the engraving for the trophies but just ahead the others on my list was Rian Smeaton.

Rian has developed into a very competent junior black belt with a great attitude. A junior squad member for the past two seasons Rian is our most successful junior Karateka at external championships. A runner-up to Adam Weeks in the Tokon Academy Apprentice 2009 final he came very close to winning and beating Adam in the Kumite section despite being almost a foot shorter. Rian's Dad mentioned that seeing Rian's named added to the Student of the Year award brought a tear to his eye. Every time I think of what this award means to me I too have a tear in my eye and I was very proud indeed to add Rian's name to the list of recipients for this very special award. Well done Rian.

04.12.09 - Tokon Academy junior Kumite Champs 2009

Congratulations to all those juniors that took part in this years Tokon Academy Kumite Championships especially those with a place in the top three:

15.11.09 - Junior Elite Performance Programme

Saturday saw the first training session of the new season for the newly selected junior elite performance programme. Lots of running, sprint work and the all important log carrying, well done guys!