Who stands behind the club?

First of all there is Ludo Bellemans, chief trainer of the club. The most of his time goes to Funakoshi Karate Tongerlo but also to the Federation Euro Budo and the VVA (the flemish fightings sports association). Ludo Bellemans is a known national- and international referee. From late grandmaster Shihan Edwin Hamile hij received a very valuable distinction, namely the title of "Master of Arts". Ludo Bellemans obtained his  6th Dan KWF (Karatenomichi World Federation) before a Japanese panel of examinators, headed by Shihan M. Yahara.

Who also play an important role in the club are the graduate coaches Tina Bellemans, Chris Belmans, Wim Pauwels, Ruben Wouters, Nico Luyten and Erik Mondelaers and the assistent coaches Gerrit Engelen, Tim Schellens, Pieter Stijnen and Isabelle Piette.

And of course we mustn’t forget all the club members!!!

Without their continuous support from all these people, the club wouldn’t have scored so high on national and international level.
 
Born and raised in 1975

In October 1975, the karate club Funakoshi enriched the Tongelse sportshappening. Funakoshi has a very good reputation even outside the borders. At the moment, there are over 100 members in Tongerlo.
Karate is more than just a sport; it’s a form of body art and has the perspective of keeping life’s values alive. The club as well as the federation are recognized by BLOSO. On national perspective the cub joined the V.V.A (Vlaamse Vechtsport Associatie), MR Eduard Van Stiphout is in charge On international perspective the club joined Euro Budo.

The style, which is practised, is also called Karate-Do Shotokan and means ‘The Way of the Empty Hand’. Our club’s name comes from master Gichin Funakoshi. The 2 elements that are practised are Karate (style exercises) and Semi contact kumite. Although it’s practised on pure amateurish level, the club obtains each year Belgian and European titles, even titles on world level! 
 

Who becomes a member of Funakoshi?

The club takes a great importance in values like discipline, honesty, courage, the background and the cultural aspects of karate. As an individual you must learn how to work in a group. Not everyone is full of talent or ambitious, but in a club there’s a very good atmoshere. The members choose for themselves what they prefer. There are members who perform on international level, a group who performs on national level and a group who prefers not to compete at all.

What next?

The training schedule is:
  • Wednesday from 6.00pm – 7.00pm for the beginners and from 7.30pm tot 9.30pm for advanced students.
  • Friday from 7.30pm – 9.00pm for advanced students.
  • Saturday from 10.00h – 11.30h for the beginners and ‘till 12.00h for those who compete.
You can reach the club by clicking on "contact club" (see menu on this site), by mail: Funakoshi Karate Tongerlo t.a.v. Ludo Bellemans, Blokstraat 5, 2260 Tongerlo or by phone (+32)014/547901.