BRIDGEND
Venue : Recreation Centre,
Angel Street, Bridgend.
Instructor : Paul Watson
Grade : 6th Dan
Contact Number : 01656 655784
Times :
Tuesday 7.30pm - 9.00pm
Thursday 7.30pm - 9.00pm
Sunday 6.30pm - 8.00pm
Location / Directions:
Click here for directions to the club
Paul Watson
Instructor Profile :
Paul started karate in October 1972 and was one of the founder members of the Bridgend Kyokushinkia Karate club and after only a few months took over as instructor. Two years later in October 1974 Paul was invited by Mike O'Brien, the Welsh coach at that time to train with the Welsh All Styles squad which was then under the Welsh Karate Board of Control.
Paul said "I remember that first encounter with the squad as if it was yesterday".
"Kyokushinkia senior instructors always told me that Kyokushinkia was the strongest and best style of karate. So naturally I went along to the squad training thinking to myself I was going to show them a thing or two". Paul recalls at that session were Karateka like Von Johnson, Chico Mbakwe, Gerry Mbakwe (Shotokan), Unel Wellington, Ritchie Noblet (Wado Ryu) just to name a few, what an introduction to other styles.
After realising Kyokushinkia was not necessarily the strongest or the best style of karate Paul started to travel to train with other clubs. Paul trained on a regular basis with Ritchie Noblet at the Afon Lido club, Port Talbot and Mike O'Brian, at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. These two clubs had most of the Welsh squad training with them at that time. Obvious choices to improve his karate.
In December 1974 Paul was selected to represent Wales in the "European Karate under 21 Championships" to be held in Germany.
In the following year Howard Collins, the senior Welsh Kyokushinkia instructor told Paul that if he continues to train with other styles he would have to consider leaving Kyokushinkia. As Paul was running a club and was representing Wales at the time he made a decision to join Mike O'Brian and license with the Karate Union of Great Britain and convert the Bridgend club to Shotokan. Paul still trained regularly with Ritchie Noblet, where he trained with the likes of Unel, Steven and Cedric Wellington, Roberto Masterangelli (Swede), Dave Afon Jones, Andy Morgan, Mopsey, Paul Bird and many other great fighters.
After his first selection to represent Wales in 1974 Paul went on to represent Wales at senior level on numerous occasions throughout the 1970's, 1980's and until his retirement from competition in the early 1990's. Paul won many individual and team titles nationally and internationally.
As an instructor Paul has helped many karateka to reach International level such as Adam Kinsella, Carl Prosser, Haydn James, Cath Havard, Phil Cooper, to name a few.
Paul is now the Chief Instructor of the Welsh Karate Union which is affiliated to the Welsh Karate Governing Body.
Achievements :
Welsh All Styles Under 21 International
Welsh All Styles Senior International
KUGB Welsh Team Member & Champion
KUW Team and Individual Champion in 80's / 90's
European Silver Medallist
North Wales Team and Individual Winner
Irish Open Champion
Northern Ireland Champion
Twice Welsh Open Team Kata Winner
Welsh Open Tamashaware
Welsh Open Knockdown Medalist
And many other titles and honours.