LLANTWIT MAJOR
Venue : Llantwit Major Leisure Centre.
Instructor : Simon Dodd
Grade : 2nd Dan
Contact Number : 01446 751077 / 07917441138
Times :
Wednesday 6.30pm - 8.00pm
Friday 6.30pm - 8.00pm
Location / Directions:
Click here for directions to the club
Simon Dodd
Instructor Profile :
After trying various martial arts; including Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, Kick Boxing, Judo and Jiu Jitsu; Simon realised that Karate was the one for him.
Simon began Karate in 1997 at the age of 8 in Llantwit Major, just two weeks after the club opened. 11 years later, he is now the only member of the original club to still be training as part of the W.K.U. In his 11 years, Simon has trained with many famous instructors, including Aidan Trimble, Steve Wellington, Dave Hazard and Chico Mbakwe to name a few.
Simon’s first instructor was Richard Jenkins who taught Simon the basics and provided motivation to continue his training. After Sensei Jenkins left to focus on family life, the club had a few uncertain years with changing instructors. This all changed in 2000 when Sensei Keith Vincent (then 3 rd Dan) took over.
Simon rose up the grades very quickly due to hard work and a desire to live up to his new instructor’s expectations.
Sensei Vincent put a great deal of time and effort into developing Simon’s skills, as Did Sensei Watson and Kinsella, who Simon owes a great deal to. That time and effort that has been rewarded time and again considering to date, Simon has competed in the W.K.U Championships 10 times and won Kata 9 times and Kumite 7 times (from Pee Wee to Senior). Also Simon was accepted to attend squad training for the Welsh Commonwealth team, although he left for political reasons 6 months later. Being accepted is an achievement in itself; one Simon is pleased to have at least been given the opportunity to prove himself, despite his decision to leave.
Also in testament to both Keith’s and Simon’s personal effort, Simon never missed a grading since beginning and after just five years, became the first member of Llantwit Major to become a Shodan in 2002 at age 13, and Nidan in 2005 at age 16. As of March 2008 Simon has become eligible to grade to 3 rd Dan and is currently working hard to achieve this lifelong goal.
Since October 2007 at age 18, Simon took over as Sensei of Llantwit Major when Keith Vincent left due to personal reasons. He is currently working hard to develop further those of the previous club, and also attempting to generate an interest in karate in the surrounding areas with an aim to bringing in some young blood to give others the time and effort he himself was given.
Being a staunch believer that there is no stronger martial art, only a stronger martial art for an individual, Simon encourages all his students to work hard and study their chosen art diligently.
Simon hopes to create a legacy of talented Karate-Ka to continue the works of the W.K.U, in the way he himself is a legacy of Sensei Watson, Vincent and Kinsella.