The Norfolk Wadoryu Karate Club

Adrian Gardener 1st Dan

I started karate a long time ago (1982 at the age of 19) under the instruction of Sensei Ray Richardson (2^nd Dan) at Bulmershe Leisure Centre Woodley, Ray in turn studied under Master Tatsuo Suzuki.  I trained for about 9 months reaching the grade of 7th Kyu and attended Master Suzuki's Winter course, before a friend and training partner was injured while practicing another martial art (Kendo) this took him out of martial arts and I dropped out also!

Some years later (1996) I was on holiday and saw someone wearing a T-Shirt saying "A black belt is a white belt that never quit", back from my holiday I found a Wado club near me  it was a small club run by Sensei Simon Mantel (1^st Dan) who had also instructed at Ray’s club. After training at this club for 18 months it closed down.

In 1999 my family and I moved to Norfolk.

In 2000 I searched for sometime for a Wadoryu club but could not find one so I enrolled in a Shotokan club in King’s lynn after about 6 weeks I realised the style did not suit me and hung up my gi once more!

In July 2001 I stumbled upon a Wadoryu club in Fakenham where I have trained ever since and eventually gained my 1^st Dan on the 1^st Dec 2007 at the age of 44.

I do not consider myself a natural but I kept at it and finally made it with the help and guidance of Sensei’s Graham and John. I think the motto on the t-shirt sums it up "A black belt is a white belt that never quit". It takes some people a few years and others like me a long time, but find a good club and stick at it and eventually you will succeed.