By Julie Erdmann
Members of BYU”s Shotokai club improved their skills last week by training with some of the best karate professionals in the world.
BYU”s club is one of the affiliates of an international Shotokai organization based in England. Roy Margetts and Marie Kellett are senior instructors with the organization, and are visiting some of its affiliates in the United States.
Shotokai is a form of karate. The main difference is the fluid movements.
Matt Spackman, faculty adviser for the group, said it is very exciting to have the visiting instructors.
“To have them here is really the equivalent of doing a basketball camp with Michael Jordan,” Spackman said.
Jamie Cummings, a junior from Beaverton, Ore., said she appreciates the opportunity to work with the guest instructors.
“It”s really incredible,” Cummings said. “These are some of the best people in our style in the world; they”re taking their time to come and work with … the lowliest of beginners as well as those of us that are higher up.”
The club is open to students of all levels. Cummings said students can learn and develop the skills they want.
“You don”t have to have experience to do this,” Cummings said. “We really will work with you.”
Members use a belt system that begins with a white belt and progresses through several colors until reaching the highest color, black.
Margetts and Kellett are both fifth degree black belts, the highest rank available in Shotokai. They have been training for more than 25 years. Margetts said a person never stops learning in Shotokai.
“It”s a challenge,” Margetts said.
“It”s a lifetime study.”
This year”s trip to BYU is the third for Margetts and the sixth or seventh for Kellett. They said the students” enthusiasm and accomplishment is their favorite part of teaching.
“We”ve come over here to bring this group on because by bringing that group on, naturally they lift our level,” Kellett said. “When we see them picking things up … it gives us a buzz as well.”
Dan Howell, a junior from Winchester, Va., has been a part of the club for three years. He said working toward improvement is his favorite part.
“I love it when I finally get something after trying for so long,” Howell said. “I”m in love with the process, not necessarily the end result.”
Students interested in being part of the club can join at any time. During the fall and winter semesters the club has 20 to 30 members.
The club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m.
Attending all of the training sessions is not a requirement. Students are welcome to come whenever they can.
