With everything that has been happening over the past few months (the surprise course for Sensei Mike and Sensei Ian, and the Selby Competition) this grading almost seemed to sneak up on us! Despite this everyone has been working hard to get themselves as ready for it as they could be.
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Sensei Paul watches as Sensei Mike and the other senior grades
demonstrate Kata |
We were lucky enough to have arranged for Sensei Paul Giannandrea (6th Dan, JKS Scotland Chief Instructor) to share the instruction with Sensei Alan Campbell (6th Dan, JKS England Chief Instructor). This means that we have now had the Chief Instructors from all the JKS organisations in the UK to run our courses, an achievement to be proud of.
Unfortunately I was unable to train on Sunday, but everyone I have spoken to has raved about the instruction (and judging from the aches and groans in the Dojo on Monday it was as intensive as it looked!).
The Junior class was definitely fully engaged (judging by the noise they were making and the smiles after the course) and all seemed to have a great time.
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| Elizabeth and Bethany stretching out! |
There were 98 gradings to get through, and thanks to Sensei Paul's fantastic organisation the day went smoothly. First up from our Club were Colin and Gareth – both were feeling quite nervous beforehand and wondering what they had let themselves in for. However, neither should have been overly concerned (I do always think that a small amount of nerves helps sharpen your performance!) as they both gave their all to successfully get their first grading pass – well done guys.
Katherine continued her steady progress to deliver a very strong grading to attain her 8th Kyu – yellow belt next, and a whole new kata to learn!
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| Katherine and Rebecca training |
Lisa was the first of Gowlands to step in front of the grading panel, and despite struggling a bit with Heian Nidan in the Dojo, delivered a confident performance on the day. This meant that she was now the same grade as her daughter Rebecca.
But not for long as Kian and Rebecca were next. Both put in good performances – in Kian’s case moving one step closer to his brother Aaron, and in Rebecca’s keeping that all important one step ahead of her mum!
Next up were two people who had not put themselves forward for grading for some time. With work commitments it has been a couple years since Helen got her Purple belt, and she was determined to trade it in for one with a white stripe. This she did by putting in a very confident performance to secure her 4th Kyu. Well done Helen!. Ray (who managed to avoid having his photo taken by me for the entire day!) was going for his first grading with the JKS having come to the Club after studying a different style of karate some years ago. He put in a very strong performance to confirm his 4th Kyu grade, and I am sure that his determination and ability will see him conquer Brown and Black belt gradings in due course.
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| Helen and Brenda show off their new belts! |
The last of the Gowland family was in the next group from the Club to grade. Robert, Fraser and Brenda were all going for their 3rd Kyu – brown Belt. This is always a challenging grading as the standard that is expected is at a different level. But despite someone looking very nervous (Brenda!) all were successful. Robert stayed ahead of his family – Fraser moving one step closer to the coveted Shodan, and for Brenda I think it marked the fulfillment of one of her personal goals. Well done to all!
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| The successful Gowland family |
As this was not a Black Belt grading course the grading is usually finished off with the 2nd and 1st Kyu Gradings. These are always the most difficult grading (before the Dan grades) and the standard expected here is very high indeed. Jonathan was up first and successfully attained a temporary 2nd Kyu, Adam was up next and moved from a Temporary 2nd Kyu up to a full 2nd Kyu, Elizabeth was the last of our brown belt gradings and successfully moved from Temporary 1st Kyu to Full 1st Kyu. It is very common for karateka to move slower through the Brown Belts than they have through the other grades, the improvement the examiners are looking for at each step is greater. Well done to all of you – now is the time to start planning your assault on Shodan - this will mean more dedication, spirit and sweat in the Dojo – but that is what karate is all about after all!
We are lucky at the Club to have quite a few brown belts, who are starting to think about their Shodan grading. Attendance at these courses and Sensei Alan’s regular Black and Brown Belt course is essential if you want Sensei Mike to even consider putting your name forward.
Usually that would be the end of the grading section, but not this time. Peter and Sam (from Sensei Paul’s Selby Club) were retaking the kumite section of their Shodan Grading. Both were very nervous going into this, and quite tired after a full days training (along with some extra tuition from Sensei Mike and some of the other instructors present). However both put in very strong and confident permformance to successfully confirm their Shodan. Congratulations to both of you – this is a huge achievement, but as I’m sure they have already been told – this is where the training really starts!
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| Sensei Alan, Sensei Mike with successful Shodans Peter and Sam |
As is traditional I’d like to close out this report by thanking Sensei Alan and Sensei Paul for their brilliant instruction, and Sensei Paul for all the hard work and effort that goes on behind the scenes.
Osu
Jim
visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to find out more about our Club. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk
