Lichfield Wado Ryu Karate Club

Lichfield Wado Ryu Karate Club is a friendly, NAKMAS affiliated, traditional Wado Ryu karate club based in Lichfield. We welcome anyone over the age of 11 years, at any level of fitness, and with any level of experience. By joining LWRK you will not only learn the traditional martial art of Wado Ryu, but it will also improve your fitness, allow you to get out, socialise and make new friends. Curre

ntly, we teach on one evening in the Staffordshire area –
Thursday @ King Edward VI Sport Centre, Lichfield
19:00-20:00 - All grades, including beginners. Age 11 plus
20:00-21:00 - Senior grades - green belt and above

A little bit about us…

Lichfield Wado Ryu Karate Club was founded by Sensei Steve Hardwidge, 5th Dan, in 1980. Steve started his martial arts training when he was 14 years old and retired from martial arts in 2008, passing his club onto his eldest son, Sensei Jason Hardwidge, 4th Dan. Jason started his martial arts training when he was 4 years old at his Dad’s class in Boley Park in Lichfield, Staffordshire. In 1995 Jason was awarded his 1st Dan black belt by Sensei Den Johnson (5th Dan) from London. After continuous training, Jason managed to achieve his 2nd Dan three years later. Due to the traditional legal rules of Wado-Ryu karate, Jason was unable to try for his 3rd Dan until he was 18 years old. In 2005, at the age of 19, Jason was graded under Sensei Richard Millward (4th Dan) and Sensei Gary Burton (2nd Dan) for his 3rd Dan. Five years later, on the 11th April 2010, NAKMAS awarded Sensei Jason his 4th Dan black belt. In April 2021 Jason retired from martial arts, and passed the club on to Sensei Hannah Daw, 2nd Dan. Hannah has been training for 13 years, since the age of 14, and started teaching her own class 3 years ago within the club. LWRK use a traditional Wado-Ryu syllabus in our teaching. However, this syllabus is only a guideline. The reason for this is that no structure is perfect. LWRK syllabus has therefore been expanded to help students and expand their learning. A breakdown of our syllabus is:

-Tsuki-waza (punching techniques)
-Keri-waza (kicking techniques)
-Uke-waza (blocking techniques)
-Renraku-waza (combination techniques)
-Kata (form)
-Ippon, Kihon & Ohyo Gumite (semi-free fighting)
-Ji Yu Kumite (free fighting)

Techniques are not just practiced in mid-air, they are also practiced with a partner to help understand the direction of the techniques. We also cover the following:
-Taioshi (Take-downs)
-Naga/Otoshi (throws)
-Shime (chokes)
-Ashi barai (foot sweep)
-Bag work
-Real life self defence

For further information, visit our website www.lichfieldwadoryukarate.co.uk or get in touch!