Student Profiles

Aden

Aden started training during 2008 and is currently an 7th Kyu (Yellow Belt) having graded at the 2010 Summer Course. Aden enjoys the Thursday lessons and also attends the Junior Dragons classes at Collier Row Dojo

Altan Suleyman

Altan has trained at Woodlane since 2003. Last grading, taken on the 2006 Summer Course, was to 3rd Kyu (Blue Belt). Altan gained two kumite awards (Gold and Bronze) at the 2005 Ishinryus and was placed in the 2006 Summer Course Kata competition. Currently away at University Altan is unable to train at Woodlane on a regular basis - we wish him every success in his studies and look forward to his return to regular training.

Awarded Woodlane Ishinryu junior student of the year 2005.

Brandon

Brandon started karate at Woodlane in April 2006. Brandon passed his grading for 7th Kyu (yellow belt) at the March 2009 grading.

Brittany Vant

Brittany has been training since May 2005. She is currently a 2nd Kyu (Brown Belt) awarded at the 2009 Summer Course.

Brittany follows in the steps of her dad (Sensei Chris Vant) and sister Kimberley as a competition fighter. Her most recent success being a third place in the Girl's Open Kumite at the 2010 Summer course. Brittany was also placed in the Summer Course Fun run.

Voted junior student of the year 2009.

Chris Fennessy

Training at Woodlane since 1988 Chris is a qualified Instructor and Class B Ishinryu association Referee. Chris is also the primary author and maintainer of this web site.

Attained Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt) in 2004 and awarded Nidan (2nd Dan) by Sensei Ticky Donovan O.B.E. (9th Dan) in December 2009.

Awarded Woodlane Ishinryu senior student of the year 2004.

Daniel M

Daniel has trained at Woodlane since 2004. He is currently a 1st Kyu (Brown Belt) awarded at the March 2011 Grading.  Daniel returned from the 2010 Summer Course with three awards; 3rd place in Kumite, 3rd place in Kumite, and a place in the Fun run. 

Voted junior student of the year 2008

Errol Samuel

Errol has training at Woodlane since 1998 and was awarded Shodan (Black Belt) in December 2010.  Now aged over 50, Errol trains just as hard as ever.

Competition achievements include:

• 1st place Kumite - Ishinryus 2001
• 1st place Kumite - Summer Open2002
• 1stplace Kumite - Ishinryus2003
• 2nd place Kumite - Summer Open 2003
• 2nd place Kata - Summer Open 2003
• 2nd place Kumite - Ishinryus 2004
• 1st place Veteran Kumite - Ishinryus 2005
• 3rd place Veteran Kumite - Ishinryus 2008

Awarded Woodlane Ishinryu senior student of the year 2002 and 2010.

Georgie Cameron

Georgie has trained at Woodlane since 1999 and reached 1st Dan (Black Belt) at the end of 2007. Georgie is a real asset to the club and sets a great example to the younger students.

Active in competition, recent awards include:

• 2nd place Kumite and Kata - Ishinryu Championships 2008
• 1st place Kumite - Summer Course June 2008
• 2nd place Kumite - EKF Southern Regional Championships May 2008
• 1st place Kumite - Ishinryu Summer Open May 2008
• 3rd place Kumite - Greater London Open February 2008
• 1st place Kumite - Ishinryus Competition 2007
• 3rd place Kata - Ishinryus Competition 2007
• 1st place Kumite - Essex Open - July 2007
• 3rd place Kumite - 2007 Summer Course
• 3rd place Kumite - Greater London Competition - Feb 2007

Voted Woodlane junior Student of the year 2006 and 2007 - the first ever Woodlane student to win in two successive years.

Jack Chalmers

Jack has been training in Ishinryu Karate since the age of seven. Jack moved to Woodlane in May 2009. He last graded on Summer Course 2010 and achieved 2nd Kyu (Brown Belt). Jack also achieved 3rd place in the 2010 Summer Course Kumite.

Jack enjoys training and has made many friends through Karate.  Awarded junior student of the year 2010.

James Knight

James has trained at Woodlane since January 2002 and achieved Shodan Grade (Black Belt) on the 2008 Summer Course. James is also a qualified Ishinryu association judge (A). Recent competition awards include:

• 1st place Kata - Summer Course 2008
• 2nd place Kumite - Summer Course 2008
• 2nd place Cadet Kata - Summer Open May 2008
• 2nd place Kumite - Ishinryus 2005
• 1st place Kumite - Summer Open 2005
• 3rd place Kumite Ishinryus 2004
• 2nd place Kumite Summer Open 2003

Awarded Woodlane Ishinryu junior student of the year 2003 and senior student of the year 2007.

Jamie Spinks

Jamie is currently 3rd Kyu (Blue Belt) having passed the general grading at the 2010 Summer Course. Competition acheivements include...

• 1st place Men's Kumite - 2010 Summer Course
• 2nd place Kata - 2010 Summer Course
• 1st place Men's team Kumite - Ishinryus 2005
• 2nd place Kata - Ishinryus 2005
• 3rd place Men's Kumite - Ishinryus 2005

Jamie also assists and teaches at the Dragon's class in Collier Row each Tuesday evening

Kay Cameron

Kay acheived her 1st Dan Black Belt in December 2009 after training for 11 years at Woodlane. Kay has been fortunate to see all of her six children attend Woodlane Ishinryu and is very proud that they have done so.

Awarded Woodlane Ishinryu student of the year and Woodlane Ishinryu champion student of the year 1999/2000. Also voted Woodlane Senior Student of the year 2006.

Kimberley Vant

Kimberley has been a student at Woodlane since 1996 when she was just seven years old. Since then she has reached 1st Kyu (Brown Belt) as well as competing (and winning) in many competitions - most recently coming second in the Kata competition at the 2008 Summer Course. Although currently away at Univerty Kim still manages to attend training at Woodlane from time to time.

Kimberley is currently the reigning champion in the "Interesting places to wear your Woodlane Ishinryu T-Shirt" competition - two miles high in freefall will be difficult to beat!

Michaela

Michaela has trained in Ishinryu Karate for over 5 years. Michaela started out at Upminster Ishinryu and moved to the Woodlane club in the summer of 2009 to train with the best for Kumite.

Michaela achieved 4th Kyu (Green Belt) on the March 2011 General Grading and has won many trophies for Kumite and Kata. Her goal is to be awarded a Black Belt and to wear it with pride. "This is her promise to her Mother"

Paul Fanner

Paul trains regularly at Woodlane Ishinryu, his last grading was to Shodan (Black Belt) in December 2010. Voted senior student of the year 2005. Paul has competed in competitions with successes including:

• 2005 Ishinryus - 3rd place men's Kumite
• 2006 Ishinryus - 3rd place men's team Kumite
• 2007 Ishinryus - 3rd place men's team Kumite
• 2007 Summer Course - 3rd place men's Kumite
• 2009 Summer Course - 3rd place men's Kumite
• 2009 Summer Course - 2nd place men's Kata

Ray Cutting

In his 60's, Ray is one of our more mature students. This didn't stop him achieving the coveted Shodan grade (1st Dan) at the 2006 Summer Course. Ray joined Woodlane in 2003 following the merger of the former Goresbrook club into Woodlane - previous to this Ray had been training with Sensei Lee Smith and Sensei Tony Spinks since 1997.

Voted Woodlane Senior Student of the year 2006.

Rosie

Rosie started training in 2006 at just 6 years old and quickly progressed through to 7th Kyu (Yellow Belt).  Rosie entered a number of junior competitions and was placed second in Kumite in an Open TKO event in Clacton in 2007.

After taking a break from Karate Rosie returned on a white belt in April 2010 training twice weekly. Rosie also attended her first Summer Course in 2010, competing in both Kata and Kumite.  Impressed by Rosie's hard work and commitment following her return to training sensei Lee Smith re-awarded Rosie her Yellow Belt in June 2010.

Simon Alexis

Simon has trained at Woodlane since 2003. Simon attained 2nd Kyu Brown Belt in March 2009. Attending his first Summer Course in 2007 Simon returned with a trophy for 2nd place in Men's Kumite (up to 3rd Kyu).

Su Farrell

Su joined the club in 2008 and has trained hard and consistently since. Last grading was to 5th Kyu (Green Belt) in June 2010. Su is often accompanied to lessons by one or more of her children who also train at Woodlane. Su attended her first Summer Course in 2010 and returned with 1st place in the Ladies Kumite competition. Su was recognised as senior student of the year 2009.

Tony McGuire

Tony 'the cab' McGuire attained 2nd Kyu (Brown Belt) in March 2009. Training since 2003. Sometimes accompanied by daughters Megan and Masie.

• 1st Place Kumite (Men's) - Ishinryu Championships - 2004
• 2nd Place - Ipswich Open - 2004

Thomas

Thomas has trained at Woodlane since January 2009. Thomas passed his grading for 7th Kyu (Yellow Belt) at the 2010 Summer Course. Thomas also returned from the Summer course with a 2nd place in Boy's Kata and a a 3rd place in Boy's Kumite.

Thomas also attends the Dragons classes at Collier Row.