Connor Evans

Connor Evans

3rd Dan

 

Ferndale SKS

 

 

My Karate Journey began in June 2007 when I was 4 years old. My mother enrolled me in the Ferndale Shotokan Karate School which at the time was being taught by Sensei Denzil Head. The funny part of this story is that my mother was looking for a sport/hobby for me to take part in and the main reason she chose Karate was because the class that was held on a Tuesday was free !!!!

 

I am now 11 years into my training and am very grateful for that decision.

I have been taught by various instructors but have trained mostly under the guidance of Sensei Robert Perkins 4th Dan (Ferndale SKS Instructor since 2011 and WSKO Technical Manager), Sensei Jason Ashcroft 6th Dan (WSKO Chief Instructor) and Sensei Gerwyn Harries 4th Dan (Ystrad SKS Instructor & WSKO Squad Coach).

I enjoy all aspects of karate – from the basics, Heian katas, senior katas and then more recently kumite and the sport/competition side. Karate has taught me self defence, kept me fit, given me confidence, gained me many friends and mentors but most importantly has taught me respect for those who teach me, train with me and support me. Karate is a huge part of my life and I am grateful for the many opportunities it has given me. These are my accomplishments so far:-

 

Gradings

  • August 2008 achieved my 9th KYU
  • September 2009 – March 2011 continued through all KYU grades
  • March 2012 achieved my Sho (1st) Dan - aged 9
  • April 2014 achieved my Ni (2nd) Dan - aged 11
  • February 2017 achieved my San (3rd) Dan - aged 14

 

Personal Achievements

  • 2009 WSKO Attendance Certificate
  • 2011 Most Improved Student FSKS
  • 2012 Best Junior 3rd Kyu & Above FSKS
  • 2013 Best Junior 3rd Kyu & Above FSKS & WSKO Attendance Certificate (5th place)
  • 2014 Most Outstanding Student FSKS & Most Outstanding Student WSKO, Summer Kick Pic Champion & WSKO Attendance Certificate (2nd place)
  • 2015 Most Outstanding Student FSKS & Summer Kick Pic Champion
  • 2016 Most Outstanding Student FSKS
  • 2017 Most Outstanding Student FSKS & Squad Achievement Certificate (4th place)
  • 2018 Representing Wales in the 45th EKF Junior & Cadet Championships, Sochi

 

I have also received many monthly achievement and attendance awards within my FSKS class.

 

WSKO Squad Accomplishments

 

2014

  • Camarthenshire Open Under 12's Individual Kumite Silver Medal
  • Welsh Open Championships Under 12's Individual Kumite Bronze Medal & Under 12's Team Kumite Gold Medal (Welsh Champion)

 

2015

  • Welsh Youth Championships Under 14's Individual Kumite Bronze medal
  • Welsh Open Championships Under 14's Team Kumite Gold Medal (Welsh Champion)

 

2016

  • Welsh Closed Championships Under 14's Individual Kata Bronze Medal, Under 14's Team Kumite Gold Medal (Welsh Champion) & Under 14's Individual Kumite Bronze Medal
  • Western Open Championships 13-15 Individual Kumite Bronze Medal
  • Welsh Youth Championships Under 14's Individual Kumite Silver Medal & Under 14's Team Kumite Gold Medal (Welsh Champion)
  • Welsh Closed Championships Under 14's Individual Kumite Silver Medal & Under 14's Team Kumite Gold Medal (Welsh Champion)

 

2017

  • WKGB Selection for 4 nations friendly in Scotland
  • UKC 1 & 2 Selections
  • KSE 10 Cadet Individual Kumite Bronze Medal
  • Welsh Closed Championships Cadet Team Kumite Bronze Medal
  • Welsh Youth Championships Cadet Team Kumite Bronze Medal, Cadet Kats Bronze Medal & Cadet Pairs Kata Bronze Medal
  • Welsh Open Championships 13-15 Individual Kumite Gold Medal (Welsh Champion) & 13-15 Team Kumite Gold Medal (Welsh Champion)

 

2018

  • WKGB Selection for EKF Junior European Karate Championships progressed to 2nd round
  • North East Open Championships 13-15 Team Kumite Bronze Medal

 

Future Goals


My goals for the future are to continue to represent the WKGB National Squad with the aim of one day holding  British, European, World Titles and also  to represent Team GB at the Olympic Games – as the saying goes either go big or go home!!!! I intend to continue training in the traditional side of Shotokan to work towards gaining my 4th Dan in the hopes of one day running my own club.