Karate youngsters gather in memory of former teacher (From Watford Observer)

Karate youngsters gather in memory of former teacher Chris Bond

2:23pm Thursday 5th July 2012 in News By Mike Wright, Chief Reporter

Karate youngsters from Watford and Harrow held a competition over the weekend in memory of their founder who passed away last year at the age of 41.

Chris Bond, who was also history teacher at Westfield Community College, suddenly collapsed and died at his home in Harrow in April last year.

Steve Howlett, a sensei at the West Watford Karate Club, said Chris, a 4th dan black belt, had been a popular instructor and his death was a big blow to the club, which practises the Shotokan form of the martial art.

He said: "Chris loved his karate and was a great teacher. Chris was very popular and the club was his idea, he built it from scratch."

Mr Howlett, 49, said the club felt the best way to commemorate Mr Bond was to hold a biannual karate competition in his honour.

On Saturday, around 50 youngsters from the Watford club and another in Harrow joined in the first Chris Bond Memorial Karate Competition at West Watford Community Centre.

The day saw children and teens compete doing katas, a set performance of karate moves against imaginary opponents.

Mr Howlett added that the money raised from the event was handed to Mr Bond’s widow, Liesle, to give to charitable causes.