I attended karate as a child but drifted away from it in my teenage years. My son and daughter started training in Faringdon, and as I sat on the side lines watching, I was surprised by how much I could still remember. I was encouraged to join in and we have been training as a family ever since. That was over 10 years ago and we now train in Brize Norton with Sensei Cowling.
I work at Oxford University as a scientist for Cancer Research UK. I love my job and I was devastated when the laboratories closed during the first lock down. Like many others, I was forced to stay at home and found it hard to exercise. We all really missed training during this time and it was great to start again, even if it was initially in a playing field! My daughter even managed to achieve her black belt in October which was the highlight of the year.
Thankfully I am able to work during the current lockdown. Cancer Research UK and many other charities have suffered financially due to COVID so it’s great news that research can continue. Once again, I am forced to practice my katas in the kitchen. I look forward to the day when we can get back to training, I am hoping to grade for my 2nd Dan so I certainly need the practice!