Julie Nicholson 6th Dan

JULIE NICHOLSON

6th DAN

Julie was born in Jarrow, Tyne & Wear on 12th November 1964.  She began her karate training in January 1975 at the Sendai Karate Club in the YMCA, Sunderland under the guidance of Sensei John Holdsworth and Sensei Jeff Barwick.  Julie started training with her Father Tommy, who mentioned that he was going to start Karate, Julie did not have a clue what it was but it sounded good so asked if she could join.  As Tommy thought she might be too young and too small to join (she was 9 at the time) he kept her out of the way when they went to enroll saying she was a few years older.  She was 10 when they did eventually join, as they had to wait approximately 4 months for a new beginner’s class to start, the demand was so high at the time.  She passed her 1st Dan in November 1977 under Sensei Enoeda and Sensei Sherry.

Julie began competing in 1976 and was an active member of the KUGB National Squad from 1983 until 2000 when she retired from International Competition.

Julie’s competition successes include:

WSKA World Championships - Ladies Individual Kata - 1st place (1999)

WSKA World Championships – Ladies Individual Kumite - 3rd place (1999)

WSKA World Championships – Ladies Team Kata - 1st place (1991)

ESKA European Championships - Ladies Individual Kata - 1st place (1991, 1996, 1998)

ESKA European Championships - Ladies Team Kata – 1st place (1986, 1987, 1991, 1998, 1999)

ESKA European Championships – Ladies Team Kumite – 1st place (1994)

Nakayama Cup - Ladies Individual Kata – 1st place (1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998)

Overall Winner of the Ladies Nakayama Cup (1994, 1998)

KUGB National Championships - Ladies Individual Kata – 1st place – 16 times

KUGB National Championships - Ladies Individual Kumite – 1st place (2001)

KUGB National Championships - Grand Champion (2001)

KUGB National Championships - Team Kumite - 1st place – (1994, 1995)

KUGB National Championships - Team Kata - 1st place – (1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991)

KUGB Shotokan Cup – Junior & Senior Ladies Individual Kata – 1st place - 15 times

KUGB Shotokan Cup - Ladies Individual Kumite – 1st place (1999)

KUGB Shotokan Cup - Grand Champion (1999)

EKGB Ladies Individual Kata Champion - 4 times

Numerous regional titles with KUGB and all styles events

Julie’s championship highlight came in 2001 when she finally achieved her dream which was to be the first woman to achieve the Double at the KUGB National Championships and become Grand Champion, in winning both the Individual Kata and Kumite events.  As a result of this Julie was the first and only woman to be presented with the Wilkinson Sword, for the most outstanding competitor.  She was also the first woman to become Grand Champion in the KUGB Shotokan Cup in 1999.  Julie was coached by her Husband John Holdsworth, who provided the structure, guidance and the encouragement to keep her going in order to reach her goal.

Although Julie has achieved many competition victories she has always maintained that ‘the training is what it is all about’.  Julie strongly believes the correct training is the key, this is where she developed and grew both in terms of her karate ability and as a person.  Her karate training over the years has taught her many valuable lessons in life and believes personal goals, whatever they may be, can be achieved with the correct attitude, commitment and determination.

After achieving her ambition, Julie decided to retire from competition in order to focus on teaching and running the Ronin Karate Club in Washington Leisure Centre with John.  In addition, she regularly teaches all over the country and is a highly respected for her knowledge of both Kata and Kumite. 

Julie studies technique and movement and how body shape and style impact on this.  We are all individuals and how each of us move may well be different and unique to each individual.  Julie hopes to pass on her experience and is now coaching and studying coaching methods to try to help others to achieve their goals and ambitions.