Trainer:Ms Michelle Marie Salem Rizzo Target Audience:All members of staff Course Duration: 5 hours Delivery Mode: Class-based NB: Participants should attend in comfortable clothing they can move in. Training will be carried out barefoot and ideally any jewelry would be removed during the sessions for safety reasons.
The course will provide a basic knowledge of the following aspects:
Basic formation of the punch and different punches (front punch, reverse punch + targeting)
Basic stance: Front stance, Back stance, Horseback stance
Basic kicks: Front kick, Round-house kick, Side kick
Kata: Taikyoku Shodan (sequence of techniques performed together)
Punches and blocks, double punch and punching and blocking on stance
Partner work: basic one-step techniques
Basic kumite
Session 1:
Warming up exercises.
How to correctly form a fist.
Basic punching technique (Punching Jodan and Chudan)
Basic blocking technique (Agi uke and Soto Uke)
The importance of stances and formation of a good stance.
Moving on stance and performing punches and blocks.
Basic kicking technique. (Mae Geri)
Session 2:
Warming up exercises. Recap of techniques introduced in the first session.
Basic punching technique (Punching Jodan and Chudan) moving on stance.
Basic blocking technique (Agi uke and Soto Uke) moving on stance.
Basic blocks (Gedan Barai and Uchi Uke)
Basic kicking technique. (Mawashi Geri)
Partner work – blocking a punch from standing
Session 3:
Warming up exercises.
Recap of techniques.
Basic block-punch technique on stance.
Basic kicking technique. (Yoko Geri)
One-step technique (blocking a punch/kick)
Introduction to kata sequence.
Session 4:
Warming up exercises.
Recap of techniques.
Kata practice: Taikyoku Shodan
Basic kicking technique. (Yoko Geri)
New stance – back stance (Kokutsu dachi) + horseback stance (Kiba dachi) with techniques
Basic kumite
Session 5:
Warming up exercises.
Recap of techniques.
Practice techniques individually for one-step
Partner work on one-step techniques
Basic kumite
Kata practice: Taikyoku Shodan
Michelle Salem Rizzo began her karate journey in 2006 and, through dedication, perseverance, and continuous training, achieved the rank of 1st Dan Black Belt in 2012.
Throughout her journey, she has actively participated in tournaments, seminars, and international training opportunities, travelling abroad to further develop her skills under the guidance of renowned Japanese instructors. Her commitment to learning has also taken her to the Japan Karate Association (JKA) Headquarters in Tokyo, where she had the opportunity to train in the heart of traditional JKA karate.
She is a qualified instructor and referee with JKA WF Malta, the official representative of the Japan Karate Association in Malta. Continuing her pursuit of excellence, she was awarded her 3rd Dan Black Belt in 2025.
Her journey in karate continues to be driven by a passion for the art, a commitment to personal growth, and a desire to share her knowledge and experience with others.
