Students of Kimura Shukokai Karate were in for a treat as Shihan Eddie Daniels, from England, taught over three days a special course at the gymnasium of Lau’Wel’New Tribal School.
Daniels, who is a Ninth Dan — the highest level of Shukokai — assessed the ability of the many students who took part. A grading was then completed on Sunday night at the end of the course.
Kristina Bentley, an administrator for the North Saanich dojo, got her first level black belt.
Her husband David, chief instructor of the Canada West Kimura Shukokai Karate, said it was a great honour.
This form of karate, which is one of the main styles of the martial art in Japan, comes from founder Sensei Kimura’s teaching.
“We’re a big organization, we’re in 27 countries,” said David.
It was in the 1960s that Daniels got into martial arts and he has worked his way up, holding spots in various martial arts halls of fame.
Daniels goes to different countries teaching and currently teaches three times a week in England, where he resides.
His wife, Solfrid who has been a world champion many times, also came out from England to train with the students over the weekend.
“We try to invite different Shihans. We have four for our style top Shihans and we try to invite one here once a year,” said Kristina, adding that they raise money to bring him over.
Over the summer there were four official competitors from Deep Cove (North Saanich) who went to Berlin to compete in the World Championships for their style of karate.
The athletes came back to the Island with one silver medal and the others all performed personal bests.
For more information on Kimura Shukokai Karate, people can visit shukokai-canada.com.