Instructor – Sensei Susy Soravia 5th Dan
Susy was born in Cardigan. She is profoundly Deaf since birth & lip-reads. She was educated at Glanrhyd Primary School & Preseli Comphrehensive Secondary School at Crymych. During this time she won various competitions at swimming & athletics.
Susy Soravia 5th Dan Karate Instructor with 35 years experience. She started Karate in 1989 & previously taught at clubs Pembroke, Narberth, Crymych, Carmarthen, Peniel and Llandybie with Shihan Barbara & the late Keith Mumberson (6th Dan) back in 1991. She also previously trained/graded with the late Sensei Peter Spanton (9th Dan)
Susy is now Instructor for both clubs at Penygroes, Cross Hands and Ammanford. Susy gained her 5th Dan grade on 12th November 2019. She is Level 11 Coach, First Aider, CRB checked, have Child Protection course certificate & is Instructor for the Deaf. She qualified 10.3.14 as Welsh Judge for Welsh Championship at Cardiff. (first ever Deaf Judge in Wales in a hearing competition). She also qualifed as UKCC Coach for Disabled.
Susy is an Instructor for the Deaf, previously providing specialist assistance at the Welsh Sports Festival twice in Cardiff.
Susy’s outstanding karate history stems back many years & is a former fighter at national and international levels (with 22 gold, 5 silver & 10 bronze under her belt) – She was Brighton Kata Champion (in support for disabled karate), twice Welsh Kumite Champion, 5 times Higashi Kumite Champion, Wales v Ireland Kumite Champion, twice North Wales Kumite Champion, 3 times Bushi Kai Kumite Champion, 2 gold Disabled Kata Karate Festival, 2nd British Kumite Wado Ryu Cup, European International Fighter representing Wales and British Squad under UK Coach Ticky Donovan OBE 9th Dan and Squad Trainings with World & European Champions – Molly Samuel-Leport MBE 7th Dan (Multiple world champion) and Wayne Otto OBE (Multiple world champion) and Janice Francis, the Toney Twins, Patricia Duggin (Multiple World Champion) Geoff Thompson and Vic Charles. She recently trained with Luca Valdesi, Stanislav Horuna (Olympic Silver medallist), Ian Abernethy (Kata Bunkai Coach) and Junior Leverve (Multiple World Champion & Coach). She is now currently training/working with Chief Instructors of Higashi Karate Kai Sensei Steve Bell 7th Dan and Sensei Jon Dunn 6th Dan.
April 1998 – She was named Young British Achiever by HRH The Queen & attended Buckingham Palace.
11th May 2011 – Susy took part in a documentary for See Hear Deaf Programme which received 9 million viewers.
Sept 2011 – She won the regional Sound Barrier Award for Wales & as a result came top 5 in UK for her inspirational story, receiving a certificate from former Coronation Street star Rula Lenska and Dallas Star Charlene Tilton.
Nov 2011 – Sport Wales displayed Susy’s film of her interview and her club on big screen in run up for Olympic Games 2012. This programme was screened at Swansea, Llanelli & Cardiff.
25th Jan 2012 – Susy was runner up at Carmarthenshire Sports Personality of the Year at Stradey Park Hotel. “It’s not about winning medals or awards, for me everyone are the winners!” she said.
27th May 2012 – Susy ran with Olympic torch at Sarnau, north of Cardigan. “I have never been so humbled as I have been on that day with so many people supporting us! This was a real honour & if this inspired others, then this is worth it!” she said.
17th Nov 2012 – Susy was on the stage at UK Deaf Sports Personality of the Year Award evening in Coventry as one of 39 Deaf Torch Bearers of UK as inspiration.
20th Nov 2012 – Susy won CAVS -Volunteer of the Year Award presented Nigel Owens Welsh Rugby Referee MBE
5th July 2013 – Susy is a runner up for Grassroots Sports Coach of the Year at Carmarthen Journal Community Award 2013.
10.3.14 – Promoted to National Welsh Judge for Welsh Championship by two World Referees.
July 2014 – Susy had been picked as a Volunteer for IPC Athletic Championship at Swansea 2014. She helped out with Paralympics as “Accommodation Champion”. This inspired Susy to open Deaf/Disabled club.
19th June 2016 – Susy qualified for UKCC Coaching Course for Disabled Karate Federation.
Oct 2017 – Susy was shortlisted for award nomination “IamEbolden” as Deaf Inspiration for Wales.
Nov 2017 – Susy received two gold medals. One for Judging competition and the other for Deaf Women Kata competition at Stoke Mandeville Ikkaido Championships for Disabled/Deaf.
June 2019 – Susy won Sports Coach of the Year award at Parc Y Scarletts. Her two young students also won Volunteer of the Year and Disability for Child of Courage at same venue.
2019 – Susy is currently a Judge at competition in Weston Super Mare.
November 2019 – Susy gained 5th Dan grade under Sensei Junior Leverve 7th Dan in Manchester.
November 2019 – Susy judged/refereed in WMAC (World Martial Arts Championship) in Norfolk.
Jan 21 – Susy is now a Disabled Admin for International Karate Women Group – IKWG with Molly Samuel-Leport MBE. Susy will inspire many Deaf and Disabled students and Instructors in the world of not just karate but martial arts. Ability not Disability! Susy said.
May 21 – Susy is now teaching Penygroes and Ammanford clubs.
Nov 21 – Susy honoured again with 5th Dan under Higashi Karate Kai association.
Sep 22 – Susy volunteered table duties at Commonwealth Karate Championship in Birmingham for 4 days.
Feb 23 – Susy won Community Coach of the Year in Llanelli with Nigel Owens (World Rugby Referee)
17.6.23 – Susy won Para Athlete of the Year/Karate Disability Inclusive award at TUKKA 23 (The United Kingom Karate Awards) at Epsom Racecourse and organised by Molly Samuel-Leport MBE and Terry Boyle. Nearly 400 World and European Champions including Pat McKay, Ian McCranor, Patricia Duggin, Ticky Donovan and almost all the greats of the era, all from nearly 300 of countries attended the event. The Guest of honor was Lady Mary Peters ( former Olympic Champion)
Feb 23 – Susy is now Inclusion Instructor for Higashi Karate Kai Wales.
Susy is very honoured to have her photographs centerpiece in Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police HQ corridors of sporting fame & the same was done at her former school at Preseli, Crymych. Susy is now named as one of 2 first ever Torch Bearer for Dyfed Powys is is named under roll of honour on website of UK Police Sports.
“Don’t ever let a bully intimidate or discriminate you. Stand tall! If you want to do something go for it! Life is too short!”
In memory of baby Luis Evans 7.2.2007