The course took place in two cities – in Riga and Cesis and was two days long at a rather high degree of intensity. The total of course’s active time was nearly fourteen hours composed of eight hours of training, four hours of Kyu gradings and a little bit over two hours of black belt gradings. According to Sensei Leigh judgement the Latvian karatekas has put good efforts into their training since the LTKF Winter Course and were able to demonstrante an increased technical standard.
As usual this course gathered LTKF karatekas from a number of cities and towns like Balvi, Cesis, Inchukalns, Liepaja, Ligatne and Riga. The scope of tis particular course was understanding the true meaning of kata. Sensei Leigh emphasized the higher kata – Nijushiho, Sochin, Empi, Jion, Bassai Sho, however, the basic Heian kata were not neglected as well. Heian Shodan and Heian Nidan were especially chosen as a vehicle for polishing the effective techniques, focus, speed and power.
The other part of the course was focussed on different kumite drills and tactics. Karatekas practiced the skills of choosing effective distance, deceiving the opponent and inviting him for an attack before launching the decisive strike.
The culmination of the course was the black belt grading. This time 15 LTKF karatekas successfully passed their tests and in result 7 Shodan, 6 Nidan, and 2 Sandan holders have been added to the LTKF black belt ranks.
Sensei Leigh Smith has been the chief instructor to the LTKF for more than 20 years since the beginning of our cooperation back in 1992. Courses under his lead are being organized twice a year. The next one this year is planned in the end of November.
By Didzis Nestro
New Dan grades with instructors
View more photos in the LTKF Spring Course 2015 Gallery