A MARTIAL arts instructor has won two national titles at a tournament in Staffordshire.
Fourth Dan karate instructor Edward Clare, of Dene Drive, Winsford, claimed the karate and weapons titles at the BKJK National Kata Championships in Stoke.
The 25-year-old, who has been training since the age of five and who now runs the Tenchi Ryu Karate Jutso school of martial arts in both Winsford and Crewe, is pleased with his performance.
He said: 'The opponents were good, there were a lot of high grades there including the old national champion who had defended the weapons title for the last few years in a row, so it was a tough tournament.
'We use all the oriental weapons, such as nunchakus, Japanese sword and long staff and the bouts are marked on accuracy of technique, spirit and whether technique would work in combat situations.
'I've won the karate title four years in a row but to take the weapons title is a big achievement for me and I'm really happy about it.'
Clare says he offers weapons training at all his classes, including at Winsford's Punch Clinic, on Queens Court, on Wednesdays and the church hall on Crook Lane, every Friday.
He continued: 'Weapons increase confidence and hand-to-eye co-ordination. They also give you a new respect for what you could possibly do with your skills when you use weapons on someone else.'
The martial arts master teaches children and adults alike and has some exciting plans for the future. He said: 'I've just started working on a new programme with American karate Grand Master George Stillman, who will be doing courses and holding seminars on using pressure points.
'If there any schools in the area that want to join in then we will be able do that for them.'
* For more information on the Tenchi Ryu Karate Jutso school of martial arts, contact Edward Clare on 07896 785125 or 07772 576943.
