TOP QUALITY INSTRUCTION USING MODERN COACHING METHODS BASED ON TRADITIONAL PRINCIPLES
Affiliated to Karate England, WUMA & England Boxing
Andrea Higgon
When did you start your Karate training?
I started my Karate training in January 2008.
Why did you start Karate/Kickboxing?
I was bored with exercise classes and wanted to train in something more challenging. I also did not have much confidence and wanted to do Karate to help increase this.
Who was your first Instructor?
My first Instructor was Sensei David Wilson, and after nearly ten years, I still very much enjoy training with him.
What is your occupation?
My Profession is an Operating Department Practitioner and I am also a Clinical Skills Tutor and Admissions Tutor for the BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice course, teaching at Anglia Ruskin University.
What else do you do?
In between working and looking after my family, I am also the TMAC Child Protection Officer.
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When did you start teaching?
I have been teaching since 2010 and since January 2017 I have my own regular Ladies only, kids and adult Karate classes
Have you had much success in competition?
It took me a long time to pluck up the courage to enter competitions. My medal haul is therefore modest; however, I am proud of my achievements!
World Masters Competition in Italy in 2013 – Bronze for Kumite
Club competition in 2013 – Silver for Kata
England National Championships in 2015 – Gold for Team Kata
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What is your favourite Kata?
Unsu. This was my first competition Kata.
What is your favourite technique?
Combination: Jodan-Kizami-Zuki, Chudan-Soto-Uke, Jodan-Kizami-Zuki, Chudan-Gyaku-Zuki.
Do you feel Martial Arts has influenced your personal life in any way?
I have been training for nearly ten years and Karate has been the only thing that has kept my interest for such a long time. There is always room for improvement and always more to learn. It has enabled me to become a more confident person and to believe in my abilities. I never thought I would be a black belt and now, with full credit to Sensei Wilson, I am a third Dan and that makes me very proud of myself and my achievements!
Do you have any views on how Martial Arts is perceived?
I think that Martial Arts is becoming more popular and because of this, there is now a greater awareness of what it can do to help you in your everyday lives, by increasing confidence, self-awareness, discipline etc. It is fantastic to have Karate in the 2020 Olympics as this will help to increase the awareness of the sport even further.
Do you have any other interests?
When I can, I enjoy running. Also I enjoy keeping fit generally, by attending the Boxercise class and going to the gym.
What are your current goals?
Having only just recently received my third Dan Black Belt grade in Karate in April 2017, I do not have any set goals as such at the moment. My personal development in Karate is continual and therefore at the moment I am just enjoying my teaching, training and learning new things.