Sensei Sue Hooper 1st Dan Shotokan Karate

Sensei Bill graded his wife Sue to 1st (Sho) Dan in 1988 and she said then that it was one of the toughest things she’d ever had to do because she knew of her husband’s high standards in karate and that he was not just going to hand it to her on a plate. So it came as no surprise to Bill that Sue asked him if he would put her forward to the Japanese Sensei Asano for “confirmation” of the belt a year later when they went to train with that Sensei over a weekend at the Harlow Sports Centre in Essex. Suffice it to say that Sue so much impressed the Japanese Sensei that when asked after the first day’s training he said “of course you are good enough….Bill trained you!”.

Sue and Bill have run the Buntingford Karate Club together since 1983 and she is proud of the Club and what it has achieved over the years. Sensei Bill is especially pleased to have a lady Instructor in the classes as it helps when other ladies want to join the club.

Sue’s forte is Kata. Coming from a dance background (in her youth she danced with the now renowned dance choreographer Matthew Bourne) she adds a certain grace to the many and various forms that she knows. Her favourite Kata is Enpi which is based around the flight of the flying swallow…why are we not surprised?!

Like Sensei Bill, Sue has a great sense of humour, but if she takes a lesson – watch out!!