Club Spotlight: Tosa Kochi Karate Club
Ronald Sweeney started his training in Shukokai Karate with the Kobe Osaka Karate Club, the chief instructor being Sensei, T. Morris. At that time the 'Kobe' was the biggest club in Glasgow, if not Scotland, with some 2,000 members.
Like so many other clubs at that time classes were big, the average class harbouring up to 100 students with two of three instructors teaching. In the last 14 years Ron has trained with Sensei, T. Morris, D. Valera, T. Donovan and W. Vemer. The experience he gained from Sensei Morris, he believes, give him a good foundation upon which to build. Whereas the time he spent with Senei Donovan helped him to develop a more open mind to Karate.
The club Ron trains with is called the Tosa-Kochi Karate Club with a membership of 300 students. Sensei Donovan is the Chief Grading instructor, whose major aim is to achieve an even higher standard of Karate. In the last year Ron has opened a small Branch Club with the help of Instructor Thomas Major, together they are trying to emphasise the importance of hard, dedicated training to their students, not only in the classes but also at home. Ron say; 'Too often people come to karate to learn how to use the strength of their body, whether it be for self-defence or fitness. To achieve this you must prepare your mind, so start off gradually and build up your repertoire. lt is important to remember that it can takes years not months to learn a technique, be it a kick or punch. Coming off class you should feel that you have learned something and keep it in your head so you can work on it later.'
He also adds; 'One of the most important times of a class is at the start. Always remember to do your warm up exercises, making sure you are stretched off properly before you start to kick or punch, this will prevent any unnecessary injury to yourself.
Whether you train for Kumite or Kata competitions, fitness is important and may even decide the winner. An instructor should set an example to his students. There are many unfit instructors teaching and this can prove detrimental to the sport. All students should constantly study all aspects of Karate be it Basics, Kumite or Kata. One helps to balance the other. Studying other forms of the martial arts may help improve your own karate and give you a wider range of combinations to use.
As an instructor, Ron understands how difficult it can be to achieve 100% effort from a student. They can become bored and not bother to train, but a student has to discipline himself and try to give 100% not just as grading time but all year round. Ron sets a good example in that he continues to practice daily to improve in both his learning and technique. At the Knightswood branch Ron presently has the 1987 Scottish Ladies Champion, Barbara Lamb, and he hopes many up and coming youngsters for the future, such as Steven McGuiar who is 21 years old and has picked up numerous trophys. His example has helped to inspire other students such as 15 year old Steven Jackson.
