Bradford Tomiki Aikido prepare for World Championships in Japan

The Bradford Squad are taking both a Junior and Senior team to compete in various events across the competitions, a showcase of the club’s Randori No Kata, Open Kata, Randori Men’s and Women’s and Team GB Male and Female Squad will all have members from BTA.

The competition itself will be held in Nara, Japan and the Bradford Team will be travelling with their close companions in Ichiban Leeds to take a BAA (British Aikido Association) squad to compete in the various events.

Bradlee Clarkson (Club Coach) said: “I am excited to be able to take both a junior and senior team to compete in Japan, it’s been a lifelong ambition to be able to compete there and I feel we have a strong chance of being successful. This will be my 2nd time competing for the BAA in the National Great British Squad (first in the European Championships in Dartford, U.K last summer) and it’s exciting to see the development from not only our own club but those around us in West Yorkshire (Leeds Central, Ichiban, Yon Ju Hachi).

“Since opening up after covid Sport Aikido is currently still in development, we saw a lot of clubs close their doors due to the uncertainty of what was happening and now we’re in a position where we can do things like this and support the sport as best as we can. It’s more important than ever now we promote the sport to get new people through the doors and experience the love and excitement I have for it to support the continuation of Sport Aikido.

The Bradford seniors will be taking; Bradlee Clarkson, Bradley Godsman, Niamh Cummings, Emma Hewitt, Robyn Cummings, Anthony Marston together to compete in various events throughout the weekend event, all have hopes of being successful.

The club are still enrolling for their Junior and Senior lessons which take place on Thursdays at Sedbergh Leisure Centre from 6:00-9.30pm and Saturdays at Kent’s gym from 11:00-1.30pm.