Happy New Year to you all and hope that you all had an amazing Christmas.
SESMA had a great year starting with celebrating 25 years of the SESMA Studio.
February, we held our 1st Celebrational Event with a display of martial arts, and presentation of awards, including the Student of the Year shield presented to kickboxer Tony Howland.
Sensei Lynda was presented her Masters Certification.
We introduced the Beginner Buddy, where Yellow & Orange belt students help and welcome new students in the classes, giving the beginners reassurance and be less nervous.
Our Leadership Programme for Elite students has seen great progression, with many of our Elite students now assisting in teaching in classes. The success of the program is mainly down to Sensei Tom who heads our Leadership Programme.
Master Wayne had his second hip replacement and now is 50% cyborg.
SESMA are proud to have many students achieve their next step in their chosen martial art by passing their belt gradings throughout the year and some achieving Black Belt.
Community Award nomination for the work that SESMA does within the local community.
Including free self protection courses in schools, mental health, discount for Blue Light workers & children receiving Pupil Premium to name a few.
Sensei Tom becoming a Retainer Fire Fighter and saving lives.
And to finish the year and to start the New Year, you have all helped the homeless by donating items for our Ruck Sacks for the homeless in connection with St.Martins and the Rotary Club.
SESMA will not be stopping there, we aim to increase our community work, which is one of many things that separates your martial arts school from the others as well as the awesome tuition.
We will continue with our Blue Light and Pupil Premium discount, work with local schools and looking to increase our work with children & adults with learning difficulties.
Its going to be a great 2026 for you and your SESMA.
Catch Grading
For students that were invited to the December grading but were unable to attend.
Saturday 10th January 1pm Karate 3pm Kickboxing
No mock Black Belt grading on Catch Up gradings.
Sesma annual celebrational family evening
Early Bird Tickets £22
Demonstrations:
Synchronized Kata by S’Tom & S’Bethany
Traditional Japanese Weapon Kata by M’Wayne
Kickboxing Sparring Demo by Junior Kickboxers Alfie & Bryson
Korean Speed Kata by S’Megan
I know it’s on a Valentine’s Day but it’s a great way to combine both monumental days of the year 
Martial arts display by instructors and students.
Presentation to those that achieved Black Belt, passed their Coaching Courses and a few surprise awards.
An amazing quality buffet
Games
Disco
Also a surprise money raising auction (charity to be confirmed)
It’s not all about the awards, it’s about having fun and enjoying ourselves.
Kata Friday 9th Janury
For students that are Red/Black Stripe and above, learn your new kata.
5pm Red/Black Stripe, Yellow & Orange Belts
6pm Green, 2nd Green Belts & Blue Belts
7pm 2nd Blue & Purple Belts
8pm Brown & Above
Competition Training Friday
Next competition training class will be on Friday 16th January
We plan to run the competition training class every 3rd Friday of the month.
If you are interested in competitions, then these classes are for you.
Open to all belts and abilities.
6pm Kata, Kihon & Freestyle Weapons Kata 7pm Sparring (karate/kickboxing) & Freestanding Bag
Competition Dates
Sunday 25th WTKA British Open Queen’s Park Sports Centre Chesterfield
——————————-
INTER CLUB Comps
Sunday 1st March INTER CLUB Comp BBA Bull Close Norwich
Sunday 14th June Verve Thetford to be confirmed
——————————-
Open Comps
Sunday 22nd March Eastern Open Comp Sportpark UEA 9am Start
Sunday 24th May The Midlands Open Comp Details to come
Sunday 5th July The London Open Times and venue to be confirmed
—————————–
The Peterborough Series:
Sundays 29th March, 7th June, 8th November
Kettering Leisure Village, Turston Drive Kettering NN15 6PB
Next Beginner Belt Grading
We will be giving out invites to White & all variations of Red Belts in January to attend their grading on:
Saturday 31st January 1pm Kickboxing Karate 2pm
On the day of your grading, could you please:
Wear full martial arts outfit inc belt
£20 payment for your White to White/Red Stripe Belt Grading (pay on the day)
£20 payment for your White/Red Stripe to Red Belt Grading (pay on the day)
£25 for Red to Red/Black Stripe Belt Grading (pay on the day)
£30 for Red/Black Stripe to Yellow Belt Grading (pay on the day)
Your grading invite
We will be reducing the amount of sparring pads that students can borrow.
Many of our spare pads are not up to insurance standards any more due to being old and in constant use, so we need to dispose of them.
We will replace with a minimum amount as students should have their own pads.
Sparring pads are available from SESMA including karate & kickboxing pads.
Sparring Pads
We have most pads in stock and now have matching Shin/Instep pads (inc an area to write student name)
We also have matching pad bags too which can be personlised with student name printed on.
Please speak to US before buying on Amazon as some pads are not compliant and can void your insurance/licence.
Plus it would be nice to support your club and not a business that you have no personal connection with.
We have some exciting things in the pipeline for 2026
Including
Annual Celebrational family evening
Kindness Awards
Family Events
Pets 1st Aid Workshop
Family 1st Aid Workshop
Family Paddle & Canoeing
Nerf Battles
Train & Grade Days
Self Defence Courses
Knife Defence Workshops
WTKA World Champions Italy
2026 Grading Dates
White & red Belt Gradings
Saturday 31st January 1pm Kickboxing 2pm Karate
Saturday 21st March 1pm Kickboxing 2pm Karate
Saturday 30th May 1pm Kickboxing 2pm Karate
Saturday 27th June 1pm Kickboxing 2pm Karate
Saturday 25th July 1pm Kickboxing 2pm Karate
Saturday 26th September 1pm Kickboxing 2pm Karate
Saturday 28th November 1pm Kickboxing 2pm Karate
Kickboxing Yellow Belt & Above Belt Assessments
2 weeks of assessments for coloured tapes start:
Saturday 7th March
Saturday 4th July
Saturday 28th November
Kickboxing Yellow Belt & Above Belt Gradings
1pm Yellow-Green Junior & Senior
3pm 2nd Green – 2nd Brown Junior & Senior
Saturday 28th March
Saturday 18th July
Saturday 12th December
Karate Yellow Belt & Above Belt Assessments
2 weeks of assessments for coloured tapes start:
Saturday 7th March
Saturday 4th July
Saturday 28th November
Karate Yellow Belt & Above Belt Gradings
9am -11am Yellow & Orange Belts,
11am-1pm Green & 2nd Green
1pm-3pm Blue & 2nd Blue
3pm-5pm Purple, Brown & 2nd Brown Belts
Sunday 29th March
Sunday 19th July
Sunday 13th December
Black Belt Gradings – June 20th 1pm Karate 3pm Kickboxing – December 19th 1pm Karate 3pm Kickboxing
Did you know that SESMA has a Blog Page?
Master Wayne writes a couple of blogs a week and posts them on local community facebook pages.
But incase you missed them, they are on the sesma website: https://sesma.co.uk/blog/
There are currently 24 blogs on the sesma blog page with the main underlining subject being family.
Why not go visit or share them to your facebook page.