Bill Clewlow.

I started training a few months before my 39th birthday (A late starter). The club was originally a Shotokan club, but a after a few weeks the instructor injured his foot playing tennis, then Trex came in to take over the club and continued to be my instructor until his retirement at the end of 2005.

After what seemed like years of struggling I was finally graded to shodan by Peter Spanton in February 1990, followed by Nidan in August 1992, Sandan in April 1998,Yondan at Ogwen Bank in May 2005,promoted to Godan in December 2014 and Rokudan in February 2024.

I took up Aikido with the black star Aikido club in Burntwood and continued until 1994 when I was graded to 4th Kyu I then had to retire from Aikido due to problems. I also studied Tai Chi for four years but the class closed down and I was unable to continue. I found Aikido interesting but very challenging. It uses wrists locks, arm locks and tai sabaki (evasion techniques), also found in Wado Ryu. I now study Tai Chi under Sifu Jon Lambert of Silver Dragon Kung Fu. Tai Chi, although it looks relaxed and slow when you watch it, is a lot harder than it looks. It is a martial art but many people study just for the relaxation and joint movement techniques. The short form (kata) takes about two minutes to perform and took about two years of training before I managed to complete it (the traditional form takes about twenty minutes to perform).

My other hobbies include computers (some would say a compulsion rather than a hobby), Motorcycling (riding and stripping and rebuilding), and attempting to play guitar

. My XLH 1200 Sportster.

What I like about Karate is I find it very difficult and it is always a struggle and a challenge to try and improve both myself as a person and my Karate. When I enter the Dojo I try to leave all my worries at the door and immerse myself in Karate. I like to teach people (and be taught by others, I guess none of us get to learn everything) and I like people who are willing to take what I offer them with an open mind. The thing I dislike most is anyone with a bad attitude towards their training, their fellow students or bad sportsmanship during competitions.

What I say to anyone about any endeavour they undertake in life is Do your best and be true to yourself no one can ask anymore of you.

Bill