Redding Shotokan Karate

I got a nice phone call today from Jun Nakamiya.

Jun started Shotokan Karate with us about 15 months ago. He trained about 3 months, then entered the Central Coast tournament in May 2008. He won the white belt division championship that day, an amazing achievement after such a short time training (read his story about it here).

In July 2008, he left us to continue his education in Portland, Oregon. He has been training at the Portland dojo since then, and has progressed quickly.

Hiroko and I had the opportunity to train again with him in January at the Winter Special Training in San Jose, California. He told us that Special Training had rejuvenated his desire to continue progressing in SKA, as it does with many of us.

He won the white belt division at the Goodwill Cup last month, then the brown belt division, finally succumbing to a sandan in his first match in the black belt division.

Another "wow".

Then, last week he successfully defended his white belt championship at the Central Coast tournament (I'll post a more relevant link when it becomes available).

Finally, this weekend he attained the rank of nikyu (second kyu brown belt).

After only one year (and some change) of training!

Congratulations to Jun for his really hard work and dedication, leading to such great achievements!