GREENOCK Shoto Budo’s Jim Gisbey, a senior instructor and club member for 25 years, received his Fourth Dan Black Belt at a recent national grading weekend in Largs.

The weekend consisted of six three-hour classes providing detailed and exhaustive testing in the shoto budo martial art form.
Alongside traditional aspects of karate, such as kata and free sparring, shoto budo also incorporates takedowns, grappling, mat work and weapons defence.

Jim Gisbey 4th Dan, left, training with Hugh Morris 9th Dan

Although completely exhausted after competing with many higher grade opponents, Jim did exceptionally well, particularly in the free sparring and mat work sections.

Both Jim and the club are very proud of this latest recognition. Jim said: “It was an awesome experience and hard work. I’m looking forward to passing on newly learned skills at the Greenock club, but I think I may allow myself a few days rest first.”

The shoto budo organisation has many clubs in the UK, with affiliates as far as Finland and Ireland. Twice a year, members from these clubs meet at the National Sport Centre in Largs to participate in a weekend of learning and skills upgrading.

The course is presided over by technical director Billy Haggerty, 10th Dan, with many visiting High Dan Grades contributing demonstration and instruction in the varying elements of this very diverse martial art.

With self-defence as its key principle, Shoto Budo is derived from many different karate and martial art forms. Not limited to any one particular form, its comprehensive training is good for mental and physical well being as well as learning new skills.

The Greenock club has many senior Dan Grade instructors offering varying levels of tuition and is now starting a recruitment drive for new members, with beginner classes for all ages, from school-age onward.

Come along to one of the following classes to watch or participate:

Inverclyde Academy -- Wednesday and Friday 6.30 to 7.30pm (Children); 7.30 to 9.30pm (Adults)

Greenock Sports Centre, Nelson Street -- Tuesday 7 to 9pm and Saturday 11am  to12.20pm (all ages )

More club information can be found on www.shotobudo.org or by contacting Billy Haggerty on: 724957