Connor Evans

3rd Dan

Ferndale SKS

My Karate Journey began in June 2007 when I was 4 years old. My mother enrolled me in the Ferndale Shotokan Karate School which at the time was being taught by Sensei Denzil Head. The funny part of this story is that my mother was looking for a sport/hobby for me to take part in and the main reason she chose Karate was because the class that was held on a Tuesday was free !!!!

I am now 11 years into my training and am very grateful for that decision.

I have been taught by various instructors but have trained mostly under the guidance of Sensei Robert Perkins 4th Dan (Ferndale SKS Instructor since 2011 and WSKO Technical Manager), Sensei Jason Ashcroft 6th Dan (WSKO Chief Instructor) and Sensei Gerwyn Harries 4^th Dan (Ystrad SKS Instructor & WSKO Squad Coach).

I enjoy all aspects of karate – from the basics, Heian katas, senior katas and then more recently kumite and the sport/competition side. Karate has taught me self defence, kept me fit, given me confidence, gained me many friends and mentors but most importantly has taught me respect for those who teach me, train with me and support me. Karate is a huge part of my life and I am grateful for the many opportunities it has given me. These are my accomplishments so far:-

Gradings

August 2008 achieved my 9^th KYU
September 2009 – March 2011 continued through all KYU grades
March 2012 achieved my Sho (1^st) Dan - aged 9
April 2014 achieved my Ni (2^nd) Dan - aged 11
February 2017 achieved my San (3^rd) Dan - aged 14

Personal Achievements

2009 WSKO Attendance Certificate
2011 Most Improved Student FSKS
2012 Best Junior 3^rd Kyu & Above FSKS
2013 Best Junior 3^rd Kyu & Above FSKS & WSKO Attendance Certificate (5^th place)
2014 Most Outstanding Student FSKS & Most Outstanding Student WSKO, Summer Kick Pic Champion & WSKO Attendance Certificate (2^nd place)
2015 Most Outstanding Student FSKS & Summer Kick Pic Champion
2016 Most Outstanding Student FSKS
2017 Most Outstanding Student FSKS & Squad Achievement Certificate (4^th place)
2018 Representing Wales in the 45^th EKF Junior & Cadet Championships, Sochi

I have also received many monthly achievement and attendance awards within my FSKS class.

WSKO Squad Accomplishments

2014

Camarthenshire Open Under 12's Individual Kumite Silver Medal
Welsh Open Championships Under 12's Individual Kumite Bronze Medal & Under 12's Team Kumite Gold Medal (Welsh Champion)

2015

Welsh Youth Championships Under 14's Individual Kumite Bronze medal
Welsh Open Championships Under 14's Team Kumite Gold Medal (Welsh Champion)

2016

Welsh Closed Championships Under 14's Individual Kata Bronze Medal, Under 14's Team Kumite Gold Medal (Welsh Champion) & Under 14's Individual Kumite Bronze Medal
Western Open Championships 13-15 Individual Kumite Bronze Medal
Welsh Youth Championships Under 14's Individual Kumite Silver Medal & Under 14's Team Kumite Gold Medal (Welsh Champion)
Welsh Closed Championships Under 14's Individual Kumite Silver Medal & Under 14's Team Kumite Gold Medal (Welsh Champion)

2017

WKGB Selection for 4 nations friendly in Scotland
UKC 1 & 2 Selections
KSE 10 Cadet Individual Kumite Bronze Medal
Welsh Closed Championships Cadet Team Kumite Bronze Medal
Welsh Youth Championships Cadet Team Kumite Bronze Medal, Cadet Kats Bronze Medal & Cadet Pairs Kata Bronze Medal
Welsh Open Championships 13-15 Individual Kumite Gold Medal (Welsh Champion) & 13-15 Team Kumite Gold Medal (Welsh Champion)

2018

WKGB Selection for EKF Junior European Karate Championships progressed to 2^nd round
North East Open Championships 13-15 Team Kumite Bronze Medal

Future Goals

My goals for the future are to continue to represent the WKGB National Squad with the aim of one day holding British, European, World Titles and also to represent Team GB at the Olympic Games – as the saying goes either go big or go home!!!! I intend to continue training in the traditional side of Shotokan to work towards gaining my 4^th Dan in the hopes of one day running my own club.