Khalsa kids inspire expansion (From Your Local Guardian)

Khalsa kids inspire expansion

2:00pm Friday 17th February 2012 in Sport By Nazia Dewji

Khalsa Karate Club chief instructor Satinder Sehra has unveiled plans to expand the club after three students won gold at the English Karate Federation’s National Championships last month.

Francesca Hardcastle, 13, Noah Allen, 9, and Alexandra James, 9, were crowned champions in their respective age groups in Sheffield.

And 40-year-old Sehra, who has produced nearly 30 gold medalists in 12 years at the Hawker YMCA-based club, is not stopping there.

“I’m hoping for the club to expand with classes for ladies, the elderly and even the disabled,” he said.

“I want to make the club bigger and the future looks bright.”

Khalsa run classes throughout the borough already and students train four times a week with classes of up to 30 children – divided from beginners to black belts – with an instructor for each grade.

They regularly produce podium topping athletes and Sehra, who has practiced karate for more than 20 years, puts the success of the club down to one thing.

“We are a community club with a community atmosphere rather than a traditional karate school,” he said.

“We took three children and got three English champions. We only gave them the tools and they went out and did the hard work.

“There’s a lot of spirit here and we definitely have more fun. The club wouldn’t be what it is if it wasn’t for the YMCA, the kids and the parents – all these people make the club.”

And Chris Allen, dad of nine-year-old national champion Noah, said: “This club is truly like a family. The kids are in each other’s pockets three or four times a week.

“The instructor is probably the worst paid karate instructor in the world as he gives three times the time we all pay for.

“That’s why so many parents contribute their time to the club’s efforts.”

This week, the club will take 16-year-old student Sophie Santillo to Azerbaijan for the European Karate Championships.