News Archive

Older news items can be found on this page.



Ju-jitsu Student Gradings

Monday 29 September & Thursday 3 October 2008

Dates have now been set for the next student gradings. Please note that this is for low grades only. High grade examinations will take place during October and black belt gradings will take place in November.

WYSOK Tournament

Sunday 20 April 2008

Congratulations to Matt Wood of Optimal Jujitsu Club who took second place in the under 80Kg Men ground fighting (grappling) category.  Matt also took second place in the over 80Kg Men section which is an even more remarkable achievement - well done again Matt.  Congratulations also to Tomas Lucas of Optimal Kickboxing club who took second place in the new 'light continuous' sparring category.  Matt Wood also took third place in this event.  Four trophies for Optimal Martial Arts in total.  Well done to all the others who entered but didn't win a trophy.  Maybe next time!

Website Update

Tuesday 19 February 2008

The calendar and links pages have been updated with information on a Kyusho Do seminar that is being held in Wakefield on Sunday 6 April 2008.  Please check the Kyusho Do website and forum for details and let your instructor know if you wish to attend.

Website Update

Wednesday 9 January 2008

The website has had a minor update and refresh.  Check the calendar page for an initial list of tournaments and other events for 2008.  Please keep checking back for updates as the calendar will be updated from month to month.

Christmas & New Year Closedown

Monday 17 December 2007

Please note that the last Atemi Jujitsu class of 2007 will be held on Thursday 20 December.  Our first class of the new year will be on Thursday 4 January.  All of the instructors at Optimal Martial Arts would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Annual Awards - Optimal Jujitsu Club

Moday 17 December 2007

Congratulations to Steven Neill who was awarded the trophy for 'Student of the Year' for 2007.  This award is presented in recoginition of a variety of factors including; attitude, ability, grading performance, attendance and tournament entry.  Congratulations also to Ruth Pollard, who was awarded the 'Most Improved Student' trophy.

WYSOK Tournament

Sunday 21 October 2007

Congratulations to Steven Neill of Optimal Jujitsu Club who took second place in the under 80Kg Men ground fighting (grappling) category.  Congratulations also to Tomas Lucas of Optimal Kickboxing club who took third place in kumite (sparring) in the category '18+ Men, White to Blue Belt'.

Ju-jitsu Student Gradings

Thursday 13 December 2007

Congratulations to Steven Neill and Matt Wood who both achieved first class passes and have been awarded their brown belts (2nd kyu) in Atemi Ju-jitsu.

Juj-jitsu Student Gradings

Thursday 28 June 2007

Congratulations to Geoff Smith who was awarded his brown belt (2nd kyu) in Atemi Ju-jitsu.  Geoff has been with us in the Thursday class since the very first session and was our first Student of the Year.

Ju-jitsu Black Belt Gradings

Sunday 13 May 2007

All three instructors from Optimal Jujitsu Club travelled to Lincoln for their Atemi Ju-jitsu grading with Renshi Tim Greaves.  Sensei Shane Walker was taking his 4th Dan black belt examination, with Sensei Roger Green and Sensei Rob Sawyer both going for 3rd Dan black belt.  They were also joined by Alun Denbigh-White from Newmillerdam Karate Club who was taking his 1st Dan black belt in Jujitsu.

Despite a gruelling examination, that at times seemed like it would never end, all participants lived to tell the tale and successfully attained their grade.  Well done Shane, Roger, Rob and Alun.

WYSOK Tournament Results

Sunday 29 April 2007

Members of Optimal Martial Arts & Self Defence secured two wins and one second place at the West Yorkshire Schools of Karate & Oriental Arts (WYSOK) bi-annual tournament that was held at Alice Bacon Community Centre in Normanton, Wakefield.

Kamil Peczkowski of Optimal Kickboxing Club entered our regional tournament for the first time in the Kumite (sparring) section and won his category (18+ Men, White to Blue Belt) with impressive style and control.  Kamil was also entered into into the next category up (18+ Men, Purple to Black Belt) mainly for the experience of fighting higher grades.  A few of the tournament regulars were a little surprised when Kamil won this section too.  (We weren't!)  Kamil also won the overall 'Champion of Champions' trophy for Senior Kumite.  Well done Kamil.

Matt Wood of Optimal Jujitsu Club also took a very respectable second place in the over 80Kg Men Katamewaza (Ground Fighting) narrowly losing out to seasoned champion Alun Denbigh-White of Newmillerdam Karate Club.