Kyaw Maung from Southwell Karate Club wanted to share a bit about the club with the sports community. Located in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, this martial arts club has been around for over 20 years, attracting those keen on karate, kickboxing, and self-defence.

The club follows the Wado Ryu style and has around twenty members, ranging from beginners to experienced black belts. The ages of the members are quite varied, from as young as five to as experienced as seventy.

Kyaw’s main aim at the club is to make sure everyone has a good time while getting fit. Classes are designed to be both fun and effective, taking place every Saturday from 11:00am to 12:30pm at the squash courts in Southwell Leisure Centre.

During these sessions, Kyaw and the team teach a range of techniques, including kicking, punching, blocking, and self-defence. They also cover katas (pattern forms) and sparring, with all necessary protective gear provided by the club.

The club is focused on helping members progress through the different belt levels, holding regular gradings every four months for up to Purple Belt and every six months for Brown Belt and above. Getting to Black Belt will take about four years of dedication and weekly training.

Kyaw, who is a 5th Dan Black Belt, and Bill Edwards, a 7th Dan Black Belt, are the instructors at the club. They're both skilled and experienced, helping each student grow and reach their potential. They also offer self-defence lessons to help students apply their skills in real-life situations.

Joining the club costs £35.00 for an annual training licence and £9.00 per lesson. The first lesson is free, so newcomers can give it a go without any commitment.

For more information or to get in touch with the club, you can email southwellkarateclub@gmail.com or call Kyaw directly at 07821 739106. Classes are held at the Southwell Leisure Centre on Nottingham Road in Southwell.