Italy 2018

We had a fantastic time in Italy at the "2018 Masterclass Weekend" hosted by Soke Stefano Mancini. A bumper group flew out and showed how strong Katana Jiu-Jitsu is both on and off the mat. We would like to say a huge thank you to Stefano and his team for organising such a great weekend and for being wonderful hosts. For all the photographs please see the photographs section of the blog.

 The Katana team ready for training...

 ...whilst the "WAGS" enjoyed a day in Parma.

 We all need to get back in training after all the lovely meals that we enjoyed.

 The surviving members of the Katana coaching team and our host Stefano.

Black Belt Gradings

We had a fantastic gradings on Saturday with club members achieving their junior black belts, continuing their progression through their gold tabs and Minnie achieving her senior black belt. Everyone put on a fantastic display and are more than worthy of their new grades. The standards were exactly what we have come to expect from our students- fantastically high with everyone showing a great level of skill, determination and dedication. On behalf of everyone at Katana congratulations on your new grades, we are all very proud of you.

Minnie with some very proud examiners and instructors

Luke was excellent in his grading for his junior black belt

A fantastic grading from Caydon saw him achieve his junior black belt

 Minnie had an outstanding grading that saw her promoted to black belt 1st dan.

More pictures to follow...

University of Bradford Gradings

On Saturday the 24th of February the University of Bradford club had their first gradings of 2018. All those who graded showed exceptional skill and technique. A big congratulations to everyone who graded, keep up the good work!

Well done to everyone at Bradford who passed their gradings on Saturday.

Heather's Journey

A fantastic article written for the North West Ambulance Service by our very own Heather Ainscough about her journey so far in martial arts. To see the full article please follow the link after the story.


I started my journey in Martial Arts with katana Jiu-Jitsu Club during May 2016. I have always admired the skills and dedication of the Art and after visiting a number of classes to observe my partner practice Jiu-Jitsu I felt it was the right time to challenge myself and obtain the skills and knowledge to protect myself if necessary.
Even before I joined the club I was made to feel very welcome, stepping onto the mat for the first time was daunting but the Sensei’s look after you; breaking down the moves so you can learn step by step and understand how the moves work.
Throughout my younger years I had faced many difficult situations leaving me with a somewhat shattered confidence and not having any belief in myself. I knew things had to change and self-defence seemed like the perfect opportunity to rebuild my life and self-belief.
All of the Sensei’s are very supportive and have vast amounts of knowledge, skill and patience. You are made to feel very welcome and I feel I have a Jiu-Jitsu family with the Club; I have made some amazing friends for life.
The Club is run by International Director Hanshi William Riley who holds 9^th Dan status and has been teaching Jiu-Jitsu for over 45 years.
Katana is a family friendly Cub and hosts a variety of events throughout the year. These include; theme Dinner Dances, Master classes, International Courses including visits to Italy, National Coaching Courses and much more. We are very excited to be visiting Italy again in April to attend an International Seminar.
I train 2-3 times a week and have started to assist in helping to train our juniors. I feel very proud to be a part of Katana Jiu-Jitsu Club, my confidence has grown and I have achieved much more than I ever thought I could. I look forward to my future with Katana and am grateful for the new life and outlook it has given to me.
It is never too late to start Jiu-Jitsu. We warmly welcome beginners and have many times and venues to choose from so feel free to get in touch and come down to see what we do. For a list of our classes and news updates check out our website at: http://katanajj.blogspot.co.uk/

 

 

The link to the full article:

http://iiy.nwas.nhs.uk/story/heathers-journey-martial-arts/

Gradings- 28th January

We had a fantastic afternoon at Middleton Arena on Sunday. There was a large turn out for gradings and all the students did exceptionally well. We would like to say a massive congratulations to everyone who passed and showed great skill in their gradings. 

A very happy and tired group after a great grading day. Congratulations to you all.

International Course 2018

We are proud to announce that Katana Jiu-Jitsu will be hosting an international course on the 13th October 2018. Special guest instructors form around Europe will be travelling over to Middleton to teach students their incredible techniques.

For more information and to register your details please contact Hanshi Riley on 07711600949 or Sensei Alex Surtees on 07960013480 / katanajj@gmail.com

Coaching Course- April 28th 2018

University Gradings

A huge congratulations to our members at the University of Bradford club who took their gradings on Saturday. The standards were exceptionally high and everyone fully deserved their new grades. A special congratulations to Tom Duffy who passed his brown belt showing great technique. We look forward to seeing him progress onto black belt. Well done to everyone.

Congratulations to everyone at UoB Katana, a fantastic grading from everyone.

University of Bradford Womens Self Defence

We had a great women's self defence session on Wednesday as part of the University of Bradford's "This Woman Can" campaign. Taught by our own Sensei Laura Riley the students learnt several techniques to enable them to defend themselves and to introduce them to Jiu-Jitsu. As you can see from the pictures below everyone enjoyed themselves and they certainly learnt how to pack a punch (we are not sure if Sensei Alex's neck will ever return to normal size!). A massive thank you to the exec team at the Bradford club for organising the session and to Sensei Laura for her fantastic coaching.

 Will his neck ever recover?!

Perfect body drop!

A happy looking group photograph!

 

Hanshi Riley at the AMA

On Saturday Hanshi Riley travelled to the AMA headquarters to conduct some Jiu-Jitsu and Karate gradings. Hanshi Riley is the AMA executive officer for Jiu-Jitsu.

Karate gradings

 Jiu-Jitsu gradings

Katana Raises £620 for New Start

A huge thank you to everyone who bought a raffle ticket for Hanshi's Katana. We raised £620 for Sensei Bernard's chosen charity- New Start- which provides respite care for heart and lung transplant patients.

Hanshi Riley and his wife Lorene handing over the check to staff at New Start

National Course for Bernard Bagshaw

We had a fantastic day on Saturday celebrating Sensei Bernard's life in Jiu-Jitsu. It was a great turnout with people from all over the country coming to Middleton to celebrate Bernard's achievements. Bernard had a wonderful day and it was a very fitting tribute to his dedication and commitment to Jiu-Jitsu.

A very happy looking Sensei Bernard with everyone who showed up to celebrate his life in martial arts.

As well as celebrating Sensei Bernard's career in Jiu-Jitsu it was an event to raise money for Bernard's chosen charity, the New Start Organisation. To raise funds for this wonderful cause Hanshi Riley raffled off his personal katana. This raffle raised £620 for the charity and we would like to thank everyone who bought a ticket. The raffle was draws by our flying kick winner Carys Williams and won by Sam Blair.

Hanshi Riley presenting his katana to the raffle winner Sam Blair

 

We  would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who attended the course, especially to all the members of clubs and organisations who travelled from all over the country to attend.

7th October- Master Lees

 

On Saturday we also saw Chris Lees promoted to master grade- 5th dan. As you can see in the photograph Chris worked incredibly hard to earn his grade and showed the true skills needed to carry this grade. Congratulations from all of us at Katana for this amazing achievement.

The look says it all- Chris worked exceptionally hard for his belt

 



7th October- Black Belt Gradings

On Saturday we saw our junior and senior members grading for their black belts, gold tabs and even a master grade. The standard shown by everyone was truly exceptional and everyone who graded should be very proud of their performance. All the examiners were impressed with the quality and standard of the grading's and everyone there really earned their new grades.

We are delighted to announce our new Junior black belts; Harvey Robinson, Kian Foster, Luke Downing, Lewis Garside and Samuel Dyson. Congratulations from everyone at Katana!

 

University of Bradford

The start of the new academic year has seen a new intake of students into our club at the University of Bradford. All the new students are enjoying the classes and we must congratulate the executive team for all their hard work over the summer in advertising and recruiting for the club.

University of Bradford Club (and yes there are two people hiding behind Sensei Mark!)

Middleton Gradings- 24th September

A huge congratulations to everyone who graded last Sunday. As always it was a busy day with exceptional Jiu-Jitsu on display. Everyone who graded should be very proud of the skills they showed and their achievements.

Sunday also saw Sensei Bernard presented with his 7th Dan belt. It is fantastic to see Sensei Bernard back on the mat and the whole of Katana is proud of his success.

Sensei Bernard receiving his 7th Dan belt from Hanshi Riley.

 Another fantastic achievement witnessed on Sunday was the promotion of Brandon Woods to full senior black belt. A huge congratulations from everyone at Katana for his  promotion.

Sensei Brandon Woods receiving his senior black belt from Hanshi Riley.

Charity Raffle

As part of our course to honour Sensei Bernard Hanshi Riley is donating his personal katana for a charity raffle. All proceeds from this raffle will be donated to Sensei Bernard's charity; The New Start Organisation, a charity supporting people who have had heart or lung transplants. The raffle will be drawn during the course on the 28th October. Please contact Hanshi Riley to buy a ticket and have your chance to win this wonderful prize.

For further information on the course please see the post below or click on our "Courses and Events" tab.

28th October- Middleton Arena

Katana Videos

To see the development of the latest Katana techniques please see our video page. Hanshi Riley is constantly inventing, improving and evolving the Katana syllabus. We will regularly post new videos of these techniques so make sure you keep looking!

May Gradings and Long Service Awards

On Sunday the 25th May we held club gradings at Middleton Arena. Everyone did fantastically well demonstrating why Katana is so well known for its technique and skill. Everyone who graded should be incredibly proud of their performance. Congratulations from everyone at Katana on your achievement.

 Congratulations to everyone who graded 

We also saw Maxwell Leighton promoted to senior black belt shodan (1st Dan). It is a fantastic achievement and we all look forward to seeing Maxwell continue and progress.

Maxwell Leighton receiving his senior black belt.

After the grading presentation we also saw our long serving members being recognised by Hanshi Riley for their service and commitment to Katana. It was a proud moment for those receiving their certificates and we would all like to thank Hanshi Riley for his recognition.

Sensi Bernard being recognised for his service to Katana Jiu-Jitsu.

To see all the long service award photographs please see our photo section.

Would your club like to join us?

Katana Jiu-Jitsu club has a long history of success. Under the leadership of Hanshi Riley the club has established itself as one of the world’s elite and regularly teaches at international courses. Katana Jiu-Jitsu has three clubs based in Manchester and a fourth at the University of Bradford where it is the longest running sports club in the University. Hanshi Riley and Katana Jiu-Jitsu have a wealth of experience in running successful clubs.

Hanshi Riley has developed his own syllabus with a unique combination of the traditional style and effective modern self-defence techniques. The syllabus is constantly evolving to meet the needs of the modern day and covers all grades from junior white belt to senior 8^th Dan.

If you run a Jiu-Jitsu club or are thinking of starting a club Hanshi Riley would love to offer his support and the support of Katana Jiu-Jitsu.  His experience in starting clubs from scratch, turning around struggling clubs and continuing the success of established clubs is second to none.

Support from Katana Jiu-Jitsu includes:

• Cover and insurance of a national governing body- the Amateur Martial Association
• Coaching qualification- includes: COSHH, risk assessment, working with children/ vulnerable adults, duty of care, first aid, biology of warm ups/ downs, session design and teaching techniques.
• A modern syllabus for both Jiu-Jitsu and Kobudo.
• Regular grading’s for both Kyu and Dan grades.
• Expertise and advice of Hanshi William Riley (9^th Dan).
• Membership of a family run and orientated organisation that focusses on good technique and the evolution of Jiu-Jitsu.

If you are interested in joining our organisation or would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact Dr Alex Surtees on 07960013480 or katanajj@gmail.com.

National course for Sensei Bernard Bagshaw

On the 28^th of October 2017 Katana Jiu Jitsu club will be holding a national course in honour of Sensei Bernard Bagshaw at Middleton Arena. As most of you are now aware Sensei Bernard has been very poorly after a serious illness. In honour of his service, loyalty and friendship to Katana we have decided that the best way to pay tribute to Sensei Bernard and to thank him for his years of friendship was through a course demonstrating the best of Jiu Jitsu. A junior course will run from 2.30pm – 3.30pm followed by the adult course running from 3.30pm until 5pm. The course is priced at £10 for juniors and £25 for seniors.

If you are interested in the course please book your place through Hanshi Riley or Sensei Alex Surtees. This promises to be a great day and a fantastic opportunity to thank Sensei Bernard for his years of coaching and friendship. 

Katana on Tour

Several members of Katana attended the International Course in Livorno, Italy this weekend. It was a fantastic weekend and a great course, enjoyed by everyone. A special thank you must go to our host Stefano Mancini for his hospitality and hard work in organising the event. Thanks also to Hanshi Riley for inviting us to join him for the event.

Awards

On the 21st May (after gradings) Hanshi Riley will be presenting awards for long service to Katana Jiu Jitsu. If you have been at the club for five, ten, fifteen or twenty years please see Hanshi Riley to ensure you are rewarded for your dedication and commitment.

Coaching Course

Dont forget that you can still register an interest in our coaching course. We welcome both seniors and juniors who are interested in coaching / running a club. Please register your interest with Hanshi Riley or Sensei Alex Surtees.

Photo from our last senior coaching course

Flying Kick

A big congratulations to Evan Kimber who won this weeks flying kick competition.

Coaching Course

We are hoping to run our coaching course again this year qualifying our students to become club coaches. The course will be run by Hanshi Riley (how to run a session and how to teach on the mat), Dr Alex Surtees (running a club- health and safety, the human body and child protection) and a fully qualified paramedic with the West Yorkshire air ambulance (first aid). If you are interested in gaining your coaching qualifications please speak to Hanshi Riley to register interest.

Picture from our last junior coaching course

Junior Black Belts

After a fantastic Gradings on the 4th of March a new session was set up to push our young black belts to even greater success. Our black belts only session now runs from 6 - 6.45pm on a Friday at Castleton. The first few sessions have been fantastic with the students really embracing the techniques and the challenge.

Universtiy of Bradford gradings

A truly fantastic gradings at the University of Bradford today. All the students showed fantastic Technique and fully deserve their success. It has been a great year at the University club and the progress of all the students has been remarkable. We are all looking to continuing that journey next year.

 We also welcomed the new team who will be running the University of Bradford club for the next year. We wish them all the best of luck and are sure they will do a fantastic job.

Friends Reunited

Hanshi Riley and Soke Mancini have been friends for over thirty years and this April they will be reunited in Italy at the Ju-Jitsu masterclass weekend.
For further information please see our events page, speak to Hanshi Riley or visit www.jjki.org.

Senior black belt gradings

 A big congratulations to Sensei John Turner and Sensei Alex Surtees who passed their 6th Dan and 4th Dan gradings. Both John and Alex have shown a huge commitment to Katana over the years and we wish to congratulate them on their achievement.

A huge congratulations for Hanshi Riley who is pleased to accept the invitation into the A.M.A  as an Executive officer. 

"I am looking forward to the future, for the AMA and Katana

 working together and promoting good Technical Jiu Jitsu"

Hanshi Riley's daughter, Laura (3rd Dan Technical Officer for Katana)

congratulates her father on this achievement.