About Shitoryu Karate Academy

SKA was formed in December 2007 and is affiliated to Hanko-Ryu Karate Association. The chief instructor of Hanko Ryu, Sensei Nariman Jeddi, 6th dan is a former British Kata Champion and a current World Kata Judge. SKA’s chief instructor, Clare Bonello, has 15yrs experience of karate and ran many different classes for another instructor before setting up on her own. Her main club is now in Basingstoke and some of those students have trained under Clare since 2005. In 2007 the squad from Basingstoke won many titles and they now hope to perform equally well under Shitoryu Karate Academy and Hanko-Ryu. The squad are all low grades but have made a very promising start. Sensei Clare, the other instructors and the squad have high ambitions and not much will get in their way! Shitoryu Karate Academy instructors care very much about each individual student's progression whatever their dream may be.

The aim of Shitoryu Karate Academy is to provide karate classes for all abilities and encourage everybody to take part in sport. It also provides elite training for those who want to excel in the competition side of karate. SKA’s aim is for each student to reach their full potential and to develop their confidence, discipline, respect along with their physical fitness and ability. Each student will be treated with respect and as an individual. Every opportunity will be made available to them to help them achieve their goals and ambitions – whatever they may be. The instructors are approachable and open minded and will listen to the students concerns and aims.

Instructors

Main instructor Clare Bonello, 2nd Dan. Clare has been practising karate for almost 15yrs. She started at the age of 10yrs old when she lived in Wimbledon, London and studied Kyokushinkai for 6yrs. She got her first black belt at the age of 15yrs in March 1999. Clare then went on to join a wadoryu karate club where she studied some wadoryu and some shitoryu karate. This is when she started competing in kata and teaching classes and the squad. She won several competitions including the British International Championships in 2006 and she travelled to many European countries to compete. Many of the students she coached won national and international titles in kata and Clare hopes to continue this success under her new club, Shitoryu Karate Academy. In December 2007 Clare joined Hanko-Ryu Karate Association and now trains under Sensei Nariman Jeddi, 6th Dan. Hanko-Ryu is a shitoryu karate association and Clare is enjoying learning shitoryu karate in more depth than ever before.

Simon Bonello, 1st Dan is also an instructor for Shitoryu Karate Academy. He started karate in 1993 along with his sister Sensei Clare. (In fact if it wasn’t for Simon, Sensei Clare would not have started karate!) Simon has also studied different styles. He did Kyokushinkai for 4yrs and then when he moved to Basingstoke he joined a Shotokan karate club for a further 2yrs. Simon then rejoined Clare where they were studying wadoryu and shitoryu but he now also concentrates on shitoryu karate. Simon has been a successful competitor medalling at National and International competitions and has travelled to many European countries to compete.