About Saxon
Last Updated on Sunday, 16 May 2010 17:56
The Saxon Karate Club is a Shotokan karate club based in the UK stretching from Bradford Yorkshire to Manchester Lancashire , although the club also extends to Wales and many countries Worldwide . It is Headed by Sensei Leigh Smith, a highly respected 6th Dan blackbelt. Training sessions take place in Halifax, Northowram, Sowerby Bridge, Warley, Pellon, Millbank, Stainland. Mancheester,,Rochdale, Norden, Wardle, Chadderton North Heywood, Whitworth, Denshaw and Littleboroug h.
History
Saxon karate was formed 28 years ago by Sensei Leigh Smith, November 5th, 1981. The club itself started with 6 members and on its initiation, was first known as 'The Pennine and Wesley Self Defence Club'. Within a year, the club had grown to 25 members and had changed its name to 'Saxon Martial Arts Club'. In 1983 the club made a further change of name to the now famous 'Saxon Karate'. In 1991, a final change was made to the name and it became 'Saxon Karate International'.
To date, membership world wide is in the thousands. The North West of England arm of Saxon encompasses Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, with 17 classes in those areas catering for hundreds of members. At present, the club boasts over 100 brown and black belts, men, women and children, on its register. Many of these are top quality instructors in their own right.
Sensei Leigh takes great delight in now witnessing the success of the organisation and has the full support of his own instructor of 35 years, Sensei Masao Kawasoe, 8th dan. For the past 20 years, Saxon karate has been one of the most successful clubs in the United Kingdom Traditional Karate Federation (UKTKF), with its members representing their club, counties and country both at home and abroad.
If you are considering taking up karate, or already have training but are looking for an outstanding club, simply turn up to one of the 9 weekly training sessions, details of which can be found on the training page.
The club caters for all ages, from young children (Tiger Cubs - age 4-7) to seniors.
What better way to learn karate than from a man like Leigh Smith. His karate CV is quoted as being 'like a James Bond film' - having been shot at in Russia, seen the apartment next to his blown up in Latvia when he was teaching there and spent time evading hitmen after offending the local Russian mafia.
Leigh's life experience is reflected in his teaching. He concentrates on mastering effective technique, with an emphasis on being able to defend yourself and defeat an opponent in a street fight through speed and power (not strength) of moves. However, lessons are always fun as Leigh's sense of humour is projected throughout.
His memory of his club members is also outstanding - he recalls names, faces and attendance very quickly. This mental ability is also reflected on his teaching - he remembers each student's flaws and errors and concentrates on removing them. He doesn't miss a thing.
