Ipswich Higashi Shotokan Karate Club have enjoyed a busy couple of months and continues to make its mark within the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB), despite being less than a year old.

Since being founded, some students have travelled down to Torbay in Devon to attend the KUGB Spring Karate course and camp and one student, Emma Somers, achieved third place in the black belt kata and was then graded for her 2nd Dan black belt, passing with flying colours.

Sensei Andy Sherry (8th dan) chairman of the KUGB took the grading along side Sensei Frank Brennan (7th dan) KUGB senior instructor so this was a great achievement for Emma who becomes Ipswich Higashi’s first student to pass their 2nd Dan.

Recently, Emma and Jack Somers (2nd dan), took part in the Southern Region Championships, Emma coming home with fourth place in the ladies senior kata. Jack was placed third in the Junior men’s Kumite and 1st in men’s Dan Grade Kata.

A number of students also were successful in achieving their next belts after being invited to Chelmsford Shotokan Karate Club by Sensei Jane Naylor-Jones,

Last month, Ipswich came back with five medals from the KUGB National Youth Championships which is open to all students under 20 years old.

Jack Somers earned third place in the male kumite (fighting).

Ashleigh Howes and Millie Daniels (1st Kyu) both performed in the girls’ Kata and proved that hard work pays off with second and third place medals respectively.

Finally brothers Robert and Daniel Woodward (both 1st Dans) battled through several rounds to reach the semi finals to take third place in the boys’ Kumite, Robert in the over 5ft 5ins section and Daniel in the under 5ft section.

The club meets on Mondays 6.30-8pm at Suffolk One, Scrivener Drive or Tuesdays 6.30-8pm and Thursdays 7-8.30pm Ipswich Academy on Lindberg Road.

Contact by phone on 07864004335. Visit www.ipswichhigashi.co.uk or follow the club on facebook.