Spain Gasshuku – May 2019

On Thursday 16 May 2019, both Shihan Chris Thompson and Sensei Alison Thompson 6th Dan, travelled to our Javea Club in Spain, to hold the Spring Gasshuku.  Sensei Andrew Newman 5th Dan and Sensei Steve Hensman 4th Dan had travelled there the previous day.

Training commenced Thursday evening at the Institute with both juniors and adults attending the course.  It was good to see many of the Spanish Washinkai club members training diligently for the annual Peter Ford competition which was to be held on Saturday 18th May.  All the Washinkai Clubs in the Javea region attended this superb weekend.

Friday’s training was held at the Club Deportivo Javea. Two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening, followed by Heather Morton’s successful grading for her 2nd Dan.

On Saturday 18th May, the Peter Ford Cup, held in honour of a former club member, tragically killed in an accident some years’ ago, was highly successful again for Elliot Morton, 3rd Dan.  Sensei Mike Beasley 5th Dan, a BKF Referee, travelled over on Friday evening specifically to attend the event.  Together with Andy Newman, they participated with the officiating of the event, assisting the Spanish Referees.  Both Mike and Andy were impressed with their friendliness and high standards.  After the competition on Saturday afternoon, another training session was held for the Washinkai senior grades. 

The final event of the Spring Gasshuku was the highly enjoyable dinner held for all the senior Dan Grades at La Masena, in our opinion, one of the best restaurants on the Costa Blanca.  Also in attendance was the Spanish Karate official for the Valencia Region, who looks after the Washinkai organisation in Spain.  We are very lucky to know Hamid Moujtahid, the La Masena Chef, who trains regularly at the Washinkai Javea club.