On Wed, 15 October 2008 The Cambridge University Kickboxing Society (CUKBS) held a very successful first session for all of its members. Following great interest during the Fresher’s fair the previous week, this first session registered an amazing turnout of over 70 participants that included over 40 new students.

Starting its second year under the guidance of CARISMA and its instructors, CUKBS is aiming at improving the average proficiency of all of its members, ranging from novices all the way to experienced black belts. All classes include a collective warm up of about 30 minutes that helps all participants to improve their flexibility, power and speed. The class then splits into smaller groups with different level of proficiency: each group, under the guidance of a different instructor, works on a specific syllabus that includes solo training, pair training, pad work, combinations, drills, sparring and occasionally street fighting and self-defense techniques.

Leo Schwartz, the new president of CUKBS, commented on the success of the first class: “we had a great start and we are planning to build on it further by keeping up the momentum. We are offering first class martial arts tuition which is fundamental for competitions but also to build confidence, relief stress and, in unfortunate situations, to defend one self”.

Massimo Gaetani, head coach for CARISMA, commented: “it’s a great pleasure to see so many new students joining us and willing to learn our way of training” and he added “building on last year’s success I am confident we have laid the foundations for a great 2008/’09 both in terms of University tournaments and Varsity”.

Chris Webb, Varsity Coach, concluded by declaring: “the continuous input from CARISMA and its instructors is always refreshing and inspiring: it helps us to be totally focused on the training and continuously improve ourselves”.