CCHS Karate Wins Gold at Almeida's Invitational

Osu!

I am proud to post that 5 of our karate students brought home 8 trophies from a recent trip to Hanshi John Almeida's Karate Tournament! Four out of the five students placed 1st in either fighting or forms! This kind of outcome can only mean that our students are pushing themselves to the limit to improve on a daily basis.

Seniors Brendan Stolarz and Amy Whitney Perry have been a part of the club for three years now and have really come into their own this year. They have been leaders and strong competitors! Brendan recorded a first place trophy in forms and a fourth place position in the teen advanced fighting division. Amy competed in the 18+ women's division and held her own against much more experienced competition. Jeff Duchesne and Junellie Leon were our junior year level competitors and really made an impact in their divisions. Junellie earned first place in both kata and kumite while Jeff scored a first place victory in forms and battled for a third place finish in a tough teen advanced kumite division. Jeff, a blue belt in Kyokushin Karate almost beat a brown belt of the same style.

Lastly, Amanda Meli of freshman year, competed ferociously in the teen advanced black belt division. She earned a first place position in fighting and a third place in forms.

The difference between the black belt divisions and the kyu ranks divisions was the type of kumite...Black belts fought in a continuos setting, 1-2 minute rounds instead of point fighting with stoppages.

Congratulations to these competitors and their incredible dedication to the martial arts!

Osu!

Sensei

Sensei Kevin Bihl Teaches at CCHS Karate!!!

Osu!

This year has started off incredibly well. We have between 25 and 30 students each class and about 40 students who have participated in the karate club since November. I feel like the CCHS Karate Club is a well recognized part of the CCHS community and is an exciting venue for students who have never tried the martial arts, but also for students who have!

Last week we were lucky enough to have Sensei Kevin Bihl of the Methuen Karate Association as a guest instructor. I am honored to have Sensei Bihl teach at our karate club since he was one of my primary instructors back in the 80's and early 90's. He taught me a great deal about humility, respect, and dedication. I have a feeling that even though Sensei Bihl was only here for one class, he still bestowed quite a few lessons to my students.

Some exciting news...

After teaching at the CCHS Karate Club, Sensei Kevin Bihl was awarded his 5th degree black belt from Hanshi Larry Giordano at the black belt training session held at MKA later that same night. Congratulations to Sensei Bihl as he has been promoted to a master's rank in kyokushin karate!

Osu!

Sensei

CCHS Karate 2010-2011

Osu!

The CCHS Karate Club is extremely proud to usher in its third season of classes. We have over 45 students signed up to participate in classes, tournaments, and demonstrations over the 2010-2011 karate club season. I am very pleased that of the 45 students who have signed up for the upcoming karate club season, about 20 of them are returning lettermen. The karate club as a whole has expanded and is in its prime with so many new faces added to the overwhelming majority of expereinced practitioners that we welcome back from last years training.

This years karate club will feature some of the same exciting events such as board breaking classes, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes, tournament participation, guest instructors, and the very popular beach training event held in June. The karate club will appear in its first major demonstration this upcoming March. The CCHS spirit show will run over the first week of March and the CCHS Karate Club will present an exhilarating demonstration to a student body of over 1300 excited students.

Please check back over the next few weeks for any new and exciting updates. The first class of the season will begin on December 7th, 2010. Classes run from 5:30pm until 7pm and are held in the Baroni Multipurpose room.

Osu!

Sensei