Edmahoo - Martial Arts

Leeds Freestyle Kickboxing Reunion
A HUGE SUCCESS

Saturday 9th March 2019 saw the first reunion for Sifu Reg Jones and some of his students at Leeds Freestyle Kickboxing, and what a great turn out it was too.

A lot of planning and preparation went into the organising of this event, we had to make sure the class was suitable for the students as we understood a lot of them hadn't trained for many years. Not only that, making that first step back for some of the students was a huge confidence booster too.

The class was filled with past, present and a new generation of students. But what was great about it was, everyone felt at home, it was as if for some of the students they'd never been away at all. It was such a friendly atmosphere and everyone got on really well. That's what everyone always remembers about Reg's classes... they always have that close family feeling.

With a high training standard, a couple of Reg's black belt students (myself included, see image above of me receiving my 2nd Dan Black Belt certificate) teach and pass on his teachings to other students at their own classes. Keeping in line with Reg's tradition and his curriculum, it was good see the students from different classes partake and interact with some of the other students.

LEEDS FREESTYLE KICKBOXING

Originally from Leeds, UK. Reg has been practising martial arts for over forty years, and with his wealth of experience has passed on his knowledge and teachings onto his students.

FREESTYLE

The word 'Freestyle' is exactly what it says and although Reg has a set curriculum for his students, he has also practised other martial art forms, incorporating the best of each art and fusing it with some of his own style too. He believes that you should at least know a few different martial art forms in order to defend yourself from your opponent with a different martial arts form.

Reg also practises different weapon forms too. The clip below shows a snippet of of him practising the broad sword.

REUNION

The class started out with a speech from myself (Edmahoo) and Reg, we welcomed everyone and like any training session we started with a warm up...

...Then we went though a few safety precautions, where I explained some of the dangers that can happen when applying some of the kicking techniques. It was more of a refresher for some of the students.

The reunion was devised by myself and Reg to encourage past students to return back to the passion they loved, and that was kickboxing. We understood that some of the students may not have trained for many years, so the training session would have to accommodate for those and also suitable for other students currently in training too. The techniques were simple yet it was possible for the advanced students to also get a good workout. Students were encouraged to perform to the best of their capability.

We also kept the pad work combinations simple but very effective and so the advanced students were able to get a good work out too. Each student pushed themselves to their own capabilities.

Students could stop at any point of the session to have a break or a drink and there were also intervals where everyone got to have a rest too, refreshments were also available.

Reg took control of the ring, students went in the ring with Reg and he put them through a one to one pad work and technical round.

The pad work session ended with the infamous burn-out, you still never get use to it.

PHOTOS

There was a fifteen minute interval where those who wanted to have their photo taken with Reg as a memory of the event could do so.

Below are just some of the photos from the reunion, more awesome photos can be seen on the Leeds Freestyle Kickboxing Members group on Facebook.

The final part of the class ended where the students were split into groups. Those who wanted to spar went with advanced student Mat McGregor (left)...

...and David Watt, seen here in the photo below on the left (Gavin Sorren in the middle):

Shane Deri (below with Sifu Reg Jones) also showed his Jiu-Jitsu expertise by demonstrating along side myself, Self Defence techniques with some of the group:

Overall, the Reunion was a complete success. The hard works and planning really paid off and we had a really good turn out. There will still many students missing and we hope to see them and many more at the next Reunion.