by Josiah Holloway
(De Montfort University student)
One of the UK’s oldest karate clubs of it’s kind will be celebrating it’s 50th anniversary this year.
Leicester Karate Club was founded in January 1964 and has been running in the secular hall at 75 Humberstone Gate, Leicester, ever since. Dave Wilkins, a 7th grade black belt dan, its the club’s chief instructor and has been with the club for 35 years.
Mr Wilkins said: “The karate and akido clubs have been running for 50 years now.
“We plan to hold a number of special events this year to celebrate.”
There will be open days held in May and October to allow people to join in with classes and view display areas showing the clubs history. All ages are welcome at the club, with special classes being held for five and six-year-olds and those over the age of seven.
Simon Braker, a club member, who attends every week with his wife and four children, said: “It’s fantastic here, I joined four years ago and since then it’s become like a second family.
“Dave has been teaching for 32 years and he is the best in the city, you could turn up with one arm and he’d still find a way to teach you.
“It’s a sport that I would definitely recommend to others. It provides focus, a good form of exercise, confidence and of course self-defence.”
The club has over 100 active members with a large number of events being run for the children who attend.
