Alloa Karate Club

Second in our series of student profiles is Ahmid.

Ahmid has been one of our most dedicated students over the years. He first joined us as a young war refugee with very little English and has shown incredible determination ever since. He continued training through lockdown, worked hard towards achieving his black belt, and now gives back to the club by helping teach the younger students in our beginners’ class.

We’re incredibly proud of how far he has come — a great student, a great role model, and a fantastic example to others.

Interview:

What class did you first start training in, and what inspired you to start karate?

I first started training in the Sunday class when I was about six years old. I remember watching Cobra Kai and thinking it was really cool, which inspired me to start karate.

What’s been your proudest moment in the club so far?
My proudest moment was the day I got my black belt. I was so happy and proud of what I had achieved.

How has training in karate helped you outside the dojo — in school, work, or daily life?
Karate has helped me stay active and on my feet. It also helps me reach my daily goal of 10,000 steps!

If someone is nervous about trying karate for the first time, what would you say to them?
I would tell them not to be nervous. Everyone here is coming to learn, not to judge you, even if it’s only your first lesson.

What’s one skill or lesson from karate that you think everyone could benefit from learning?
I think the most important things karate has taught me are discipline and patience. In my opinion, everyone could benefit from having these two traits.

What are your goals for the future, both in karate and beyond?
My main goal in life is to become a doctor. In karate, I would love to achieve my second Dan one day.

🥋 A huge congratulations to Taylor! 🥋

We’re incredibly proud to share that Taylor has achieved her Shodan black belt !

Taylor’s journey with us goes right back to when she joined our Karate Kids class as part of only our second-ever intake. Since then, it’s been fantastic to watch her grow and develop — not only as a karateka, but as a person.

She has progressed from being one of the young students learning the basics in Karate Kids to now helping teach the very same class she started in. That progression says so much about her commitment, maturity and willingness to give back as a great role model within the club.

Passing this grading is another well-deserved milestone in that journey, and a reflection of all the hard work, passion, and dedication she has put into her karate over the years.

Congratulations, Taylor! 🥋👏

Congratulations to everyone who graded yesterday! We’re proud of every single one of you.

A big thank you to everyone who took part, to all the parents for their continued support, and to everyone at the club who helped with the preparation in the lead-up to the grading.

And to those who chose to wait until a future grading - there’s absolutely no rush. Taking a little more time to train and build confidence can be just as important. Your time will come when you’re ready.

Finally, thank you to JKS Scotland for organising another great event.

Well done, everyone!

Congratulations to everyone who graded today!

You should all be incredibly proud of the hard work, commitment and determination you’ve shown. Stepping onto the floor to grade takes courage, and every one of you gave it your all.

A very special congratulations to Taylor on passing her Shodan Black Belt!

A fantastic achievement and a well-deserved reward after years of hard work, perseverance and dedication to reach this milestone. Well done, Taylor — we are all incredibly proud of you.

And to anyone who didn’t get the result they were hoping for today — please know just how proud we are of you too.

It takes real strength to put yourself out there and be tested. Hold your head high, keep training and keep believing in yourself. One result does not define you or take away from everything you’ve achieved to get this far.

You WILL achieve your goal. This is simply another part of the journey — and when you get there, it will mean all the more because you kept going when things were tough.

We’re proud of every single one of you.

Well done, everyone. 👏

CONGRATULATIONS 🙌

Well done to our newest JKS Scotland Dan Grades after today’s examinations @ the Honbu Dojo.

To those that didn’t make it today, keep working hard towards the next grading in December.

We are proud of you all, no matter the result 👏🏻👏🏻

SHODAN PASSES:
Ethan Veroni How - Shobukai
Broady Montgomery - Shobukai
Emily Keith - JKS Glasgow
Rory Clark - Honbu
Karam Alhasso - Shobukai
Taylor Webster - Alloa
Jade Somerville - Shobukai
Jamie Sloan - Honbu
Karen Rodger - JKS Glasgow
Allan McWilliams - Aberdeen
Juliet Delafield Butt - JKS Glasgow
Harper Mullen - Senjokai
Lachlan Tonner - JKS Glasgow
Evan Liddle - Shobukai
Aaron Graham - Honbu
Elspeth Rodger - JKS Glasgow
Adam Barakat - Aberdeen
Barbara Morgan - JKS Clyde
David Hamilton - Kazoku Cupar
Robert Blazejewski - Aberdeen

NIDAN PASSES:
Hannah Thomson - Honbu
Devon Elwood - Honbu
Rayyan Asif - Kaishi
Heather Cox - Kaishi
Daniel Singh - JKS Arrochar

SANDAN PASS:
Stuart Cameron - Cumbernauld

Thanks to our examiners: Sensei’s Ronnie Forbes, Sarah Queen, Martin McGookin, Seon McLaren 👊

Thankyou to Sensei’s Kevin Stewart 5th Dan & Ben Woods 4th Dan for teaching the 2 Brown/Black Belt seminars.



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Good luck to everyone grading today! 🥋

You’ve all worked hard to prepare for this moment. Now go out there, do your best, and enjoy the experience!

We’re proud to share the first in a series of profiles celebrating our students and their karate journeys.

One of the greatest privileges of running the club is watching students grow from young children into confident young adults. Isla has been an outstanding member of the club for years; progressing through the grades, achieving her Dan grades and eventually helping to teach and inspire the next generation.

It’s a journey we’re incredibly proud to be part of.

Here’s our first student story profiling Isla....

1, What first inspired you to join Karate, and what keeps you motivated today?

When I was 8 a karate sensei came into my primary school and did a taster session with us and it was very fun and I really enjoyed it. I then joined his club as a white belt and went on to progress through the belts.
My amazing Sensei Martin is so motivating and encouraging, which really makes me want to come and learn and practise every week. Also now I am a black belt I have the opportunity to help teach the younger children/lower belts which I really enjoy.

2, What’s been your proudest moment in the club so far?

My proudest moment has definitely been getting my black belt in December 2024, I did fail the first time but that drove me to work even harder to achieve that goal of getting it.

3, How has training in karate helped you outside the dojo — in school, work, or daily life?

Karate has given me a huge sense of commitment and discipline. Working towards each belt with dedication and hard work which has been instilled in me since the beginning. This has helped me in all aspects of my life both at school and in my personal life to work hard to achieve my goals.

4, If someone is nervous about trying karate for the first time, what would you say to them?

Karate is great fun and you can make some amazing friends doing it. It’s a great, enjoyable form of exercise in a fun and welcoming environment. You can train at your own pace and there is no pressure to progress at any particular rate so wether you want to join for fun and exercise or you want to be the next karate kid, it’s for everyone.

5, What’s one skill or lesson from karate that everyone should learn?

Definitely discipline is something everyone should learn and karate is a great place to learn to listen to instructions, be consistent and work hard to achieve your goals whilst having loads of fun.

We 💓 Karate

GRADING SCHEDULE

Please see time slots below:

🐯 9:00am - Tiger Cubs

⚪️ 9:45am - White Belt going for Orange Belt

🟠 10:15am - Orange Belt going for Red Belt

🔴 11:00am - Red Belt going for Yellow Belt

🟡 11:15am - Yellow Belt going for Green Belt

🟢 12:00pm - Green Belt going for Purple Belt

🟣 & 🟣 ⚪️ 12:15pm - Purple Belt going for Purple White Belt & Purple White going for Brown Belt.

🟤 & 🟤 ⚪️ 1:00pm - Brown Belts & Brown 1 White Belts

PLEASE NOTE TIMES BELOW FOR THE BROWN & BLACK BELT COURSE.

🟤 & ⚫️ 2:30pm - All Brown, Brown White, Brown 2 White Belt & BLACK BELTS who are NOT GRADING THIS TIME.

🟤 & ⚫️ 3.15 pm - Brown 2 White Belt & BLACK BELTS who ARE GRADING THIS TIME.

⚫️ 4.15pm - Black Belt Grading

Best regards

JKS Scotland HQ

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