Club Overview
The Japanese Karate Club is one of the oldest Martial Arts clubs at UW Madison. It is sponsored by the Division of Recreational Sports, and is a registered student organization. These pages are provided as a service to the club members and to anyone who wants to find out more about the club and Karate in general.
The UW - Madison Japanese Karate club practices the traditional Shotokan karate style. Instruction is given from the most basic level and increases in difficulty as the students learn the techniques required to control their body and mind. All 3 traditional components of karate training (kata, kihon, and kumite) are taught at the dojo.
While the instruction centers on karate as a martial art, portions of the training involve self defense applications and karate as competitive sport. Our club regularly sends teams of men and women to regional and national collegiate competitions.
The Japanese Karate club is affiliated nationally with the American Amateur Karate Federation, and internationally with the World Traditional Karate-Do Federation. All ranking is done under their auspices. Club members regularly attend clinics at member dojos of the Great Lakes and North Central Regions of the AAKF.
Participation is open to all students, faculty, and staff. We start a new beginners class every semester, and the next one starts on Monday, September 18th, 2017 in room 510 of Lathrop Hall. During the 2017 Fall Semester the general sessions meet Mondays 5 - 6:55, Thursdays 5:30 - 7:25 and Fridays from 5:30 to 7:30 in room 510 at Lathrop Hall. The advanced training sessions meet Saturdays 10:30 to noon in room 1065 at the Natatorium. During breaks we meet in room 1065 at the Natatorium. Members are expected to come to as many practices as they can, however, an average attendance of twice a week is usually necessary for advancement in rank. Most members try to attend as frequently as their class schedule permits.
Our club has been a University of Wisconsin-Madison sports club since 1976 and the current head instructor is Vassil Peytchev, a Sandan (third degree black belt). The instruction is also performed by other regionally qualified first and second degree black belt instructors.
Costs and benefits of membership
The membership fee for the Japanese Karate Club is $35 per semester. Discounts are available if you sign up for longer memberships such as 2 semesters ($55) or yearlong ($75). Returning members receive a $5 discount if paying for only one semester.The club sells Gis (karate uniforms) to members at a reduced cost. A lightweight Gi will cost between $20 and $25 depending on size. Heavier Gis are also available. Interested members should speak to an officer as prices will vary based on desired quality and weight.
Club members enjoy a number of benefits aside from being able to attend practices. Each year we host a tournament and seminars with guest instructors. Attendance at events hosted by the club is free. For away tournaments and seminars that we attend, the club covers half of the individual cost for participating members. Rank exams which are held at the end of each semster are done inside the club for 8th - 4th kyu ranks. The examination fee (8-4 kyu) is $5 and a new belt is also $5 for members who succesfully pass the exam. Higher level rank exams are performed by nationally and internationally qualified examiners.
For more information please contact us using our e-mail form.