Sensei honoured for decades of dedication

The founder of Sochin Karate Club has been publicly thanked in recognition of more than five decades as a Karateka.

6th dan Georges Dussart is the Chief Instructor at Canterbury-based Sochin Karate Club and has been presented with a special trophy by Club Chair Emma Rosen and club members.

Sochin Karate Club is a zen-based club that develops the mental resilience, improved bio-mechanics and self-defence skills of members.

Physical exercise is an excellent tool to boost mental wellbeing and the club has created an exciting mix of camaraderie, adrenaline and personal development. Its This Girl Can campaign offers subsidised places to women as part of its campaign to attract more women to take up sport.

A key ingredient of the club is the people involved. Its Sensei Georges Dussart (78) is passionate about encouraging the next generation to enjoy the sport. He has drawn together a strong team of black belt instructors to help lead sessions.

His passion for the sport has led to Georges featuring in the international Shotokan Karate Magazine, and now within the local community he has been nominated for the Revival Community Awards.

Georges has innovated to encourage the public to discover the sport and delivered Tai Chi taster sessions in collaboration with the Lord Mayor of Canterbury and East Kent Mind as a way of introducing a more gentle version of martial arts for the public.

Emma said: “Georges is and has been the perfect ambassador for the sport for more than half a century. He deserves recognition for his dedication. His firm belief is that Karate is excellent for both mind and body – it is a mantra Sensei Georges always promotes.”