Sensei Willie Lebrun was the special guest again this year for the workshop held on Friday March 2nd.  All students present had the opportunity to work with Sensei Willie and learn something new this year.  The first half which was for students 14 years and under learned different 'street smart' techniques in self defense.  This was very exciting for the students and very much appreciated.

During the second half, the adults were given a more advance version of the self defense techniques.  While most moves seemed effortless they all proved to be very beneficial.  To ensure that these new techniques would be remembered and presented to the rest of the class, Sensei Willie taught each Sensei present from the Hanmer Club one technique while using them to demonstrate them to the class. 

Thank you for a great class Sensei Willie.

This year mother nature was not kind for our annual Tournament. With one of largest snow storms hitting the day before the tournament, this made it very difficult for the out of town competitors to travel in.  Thank you to those who did brave the weather and weary road conditions to attend the tournament. 

The tournament still ran smoothly and all competitors did exceptionally well.  There were many awards given out that day but all students should be congratulated for participating.

Thank you to all participants and volunteers who helped out that day!!

Check out the photo gallery for event pictures.

November 11th, 2006

April 22nd, 2006

Some members from the club travelled to Wawa on Saturday April 22^nd to participate in the 11^th Annual Ken Brown Memorial Tournament.  The Hanmer Club was represented by a total 13 members: 8 Kyu Belts and 5 Black belts.  All participants did extremely well and had a very good time. 

There were plenty of medals awarded to the Hanmer Club, but all students should be congratulated for their efforts.  The members who particpated are:

Under 14 division - Christopher Rowsell, Bailey Potvin, Dylan Trites, Ashley Potvin & Riley Kant 

Adult division - Cole Leonard, Cory Foucault, Laura Trites, Sensei Amanda Sullivan , Sensei Dara Lavoie, Sensei Solange Foucault, Sensei Gilles Dupuis Jr. & Sensei Gilles Dupuis Sr.

Congratulations to all and best of luck in future events.

March 31st, 2006

This year at the 6^th Annual Hanmer Wado Kai Karate Tournament held on March 4^th at College Boréal there was a first time ever event for the S.W.K.K.F. - an All Women's Ring.  The center ring was reserved for all of the girls/ladies Kata & Kumite events and was judged by a panel of all women Sensei's:  Sensei June LeBrun (Rukudan), Sensei Solange Foucault (Shodan), Sensei Amanda Sullivan (Shodan), Sensei Dara Lavoie (Shodan) & Sensei Melanie Camirand (Shodan).

This women's ring was recognized by all who attended the tournament and viewed as a unique event to see.  Sensei June LeBrun was able to participate as center judge for all events and divisions.

Thank you to all who attended the tournament to support the club and we hope to see you at future events.

Sensei Gilles Dupuis Sr.

New to the 

Hanmer Wado Kai Club

Shindo

Sensei Shintani had developed another organization called the World Shindo Federation or Kokusai Shindo Renmei. He called this art Shindo Ryu, the word shin converted to mean “new” and once again do was translated to mean “way”,  Thus the “new way” was born.

The Shindo, is a self-defense weapon which, in the absence of ballistic weapons, is unmatched for its ability to disarm and incapacitate with minimal injury. It is a stick 1.25” in diameter and 3 feet long (36”) with rounded ends.  It is made from either oak (preferably) or maple and is normally painted black. Sensei Shintani developed many techniques for Shindo from his samurai ancestors. This is a form of karate that utilizes stricking, thrusting and blocking techniques as well as controlled techniques. Today, Shindo ryu is now practiced as a modern martial art around the world. Many of its techniques were also refinded as defensive tactics for law enforcement.  Shindo's quick accurate blows, deflection of incoming strikes and sidestepping of aggressive attackers, make it a practical and effective method of modern weapons self-defence.

Members from the Hanmer club are in the process of obtaining certification to teach the proper use of Shindos.  The first seminar was attended by some of our instructors and students.

Friday March 3rd, 2006the Hanmer Club held a clinic at their dojo and special guest Sensei Willie Lebrun (Rukudan - 6th Degree) demonstrate and teach some different techniques and combinations. This first half of the clinic was attended by the younger students, ages 14 and under.  There was a total of 51 Karateka's in attendance during this half and lasted for 1 hour.

The second half of the clinic was run for the adults while the younger students were able to go home and get rested up for the tournament the next day. The group of adults ranged from the rank of white belt and up into the ranks of black betls. Sensei Willie presented the new techniques in a way that each member could understand and use them at their level. This portion of the clinic was attended by 15 adults and

ran for a total of 2 hours.

On March 24^th, 2006 the Hanmer Wado-Kai club hosted their 6^th Annual Tournament at College Boréal.  The tournament had clubs participate from Timmins , Hearst, Val Dor-Quebec, Rouyn Noranda and Hanmer.

The tournament was very well organized and ran smoothly with the help from members of various clubs and volunteers. There was a total of 120 competitors in all: 71 Kyu Belts and 16 Black Belts. The Black Belt competition started after the Kyu Belt competition and all events proved to be very exciting to watch.

Awards for Most Outstanding Karateka were presented to Trevor Upfold and Michelle Bérube in the under 14 division and to Chantal Tremblay and Cory Foucault in the adult division. All four competitors this year were members of the Hanmer Karate club.

Special thank you to the following out-of-town Sensei's for their help and support during the tournament:

Sensei Melanie Camirand, Sensei Micheal Levesque, Sensei Rick Simbiriski, Sensei Samir Elbaccouche, Sensei Bill Lebrun, Sensei June Lebrun and Sensei Willie Lebrun. Also to Sensei Steve Andrews, Sensei Mario Noel, Sensei Dara Lavoie, Sensei Solange Foucault, Sensei Amanda Sullivan , Sensei Gilles Dupuis Jr., Sensei Mike Lachance and Sensei Gilles Dupuis Sr. all from the Hanmer Club.

A big thank to all who attended and came to support our 6th Annual Hanmer Wado kai Karate Club tournamet.

Please see our Photo Gallery for some high lights of the clinic and the tournament.