Leffinge, Belgium 2003 The venue this year changed as we all attended the Belgium course in this small village very close to Oostende. This was the largest Kyushin Ryu group to attend the Belgium International's and the event was to include a competition for the first time, many members from several counties in the UK attended. It was on this course that the Founder's were able to announce that Yoshimi Ju Jitsu International had added another country to the group as Australia was now included and it was here that is was also mentioned that there would be an international congress in New Zealand in 2004. An old friend of ours, Jean De Greef who is the president of the UNJJ, also attended this congress with members of his family and while there commented on the splendid turn out and large numbers present.

Belfast, Ireland 2003 June 2003, English and Belgium members travelled to Belfast to attend this course being hosted by Dominic McCloskey, the weekend was also to include a Dan Grading and Roger Wilkes, Philip Friend, Gerard Noisete and Leslie Ottoey were asked to sit on the panel for this during the first part of the day. They were soon joined by the rest of those who had travelled along with many Irish members and although the first hour was devoted to the juniors there were many there to enjoy what the visitors had to show. This was the first Yoshimi Ju Jitsu International course in Belfast although Roger & Philip had visited the previous year, and the training session was busy and enjoyable with five international coaches teaching. The afternoon culminated in Leslie & Roger presenting Dominic a certificate of membership of Yoshimi with the flags and logo's of the other member countries. The evening saw everyone off to one of Belfast's wonderful restaurants to be wined and dined in true Irish style. See you all next year!!

Thirtieth Birthday Party, July 2003: Well we've had the celebration of our 30 years as a club/association and in keeping with the outstanding achievement it was a celebration to be proud of. The guest list read like a who's who of the martial arts and the whole event ran like a well oiled engine. We even had a surprise to end all surprises for our founder, nominated by the Club Coaches Committee and his co-founder's of Yoshimi Ju Jitsu International and authenticated by the Technical Committe of Shi Kon Martial Arts, to whom we are affiliated. Sensei Roger Wilkes was graded to 7th. Dan (Shichidan) the reaction and pleasure of all attending was delightful and Sensei Roger was speachless!!