Bournemouth Wado Ryu Karate Club

A final Junzuki for my first karate instructor Eddie Byrne from Newton Aycliffe. He passed away recently and his funeral is May 7, 2026.

I started with him in December 1979 (not 1997 as I first typed) and trained for two years but missed a lot towards the end and hence why I failed my green belt. It was with the Tera Karate Kai organisation led by Toru Takamizawa although I never got to see him at that time.

A phenomenal start as the training gave me legs that I was once very proud of. I remember the drills would be multiple kicks with one leg. I was 11 and had to do the same as the adults in the main.

He started me off with an endeavour that I continue to this day. Something that has created friendships across the world. That gives me something to focus on for myself in a busy world.

I made sure I visited him in 2015 and gave my respects to my first karate sensei.

I closed off tonight’s training will a final bow out and a final punch.

Steve Wilkinson from that first time would be someone that returned to my karate journey later on.

A final Junzuki for my first karate instructor Eddie Byrne from Newton Aycliffe. He passed away recently and his funeral is May 7, 2026.

I started with him in December 1979 and trained for two years but missed a lot towards the end and hence why I failed my green belt. It was with the Tera Karate Kai organisation led by Toru Takamizawa although I never got to see him at that time.

A phenomenal start as the training gave me legs that I was once very proud of. I remember the drills would be multiple kicks with one leg. I was 11 and had to do the same as the adults in the main.

He started me off with an endeavour that I continue to this day. Something that has created friendships across the world. That gives me something to focus on for myself in a busy world.

I made sure I visited him in 2015 and gave my respects to my first karate sensei.

I closed off tonight’s training will a final bow out and a final punch.

Steve Wilkinson from that first time would be someone that returned to my karate journey later on.

A nice example of transition via chidoriashi into irimi ultimately creating kuzushi.