Grading Weekend

What a weekend!

Mike and Ian Sensei with Alan Sensei and Nagaki Sensei

It had been perfectly set up by the surprise visit to the club on Thursday by Glenn Sensei from Akashi (see previous news item) but I know that a lot of our karate-ka were feeling very nervous!

The weekend started with the Shodan preparation course that was taken by Alan Campbell Sensei. Elizabeth, Oli, Thomas, Lee, Adam, Jonathan, and Bethany all attended a very useful training session focused on the Shodan syllabus and grading.

Mike and Ian Sensei were watching intently on the sidelines to pick up any changes in the technical aspects of the syllabus and to get an insight into what the grading panels would be looking for in each technique. The two hours of training seemed to fly by, despite the noise generated from the Competition Kumite course that was being run by Nagaki Sensei in the other half of the hall.

Sunday morning arrived (all too soon for those that were feeling nervous!) and the grading course got underway with the junior grades. Training as usual was split between our two guest instructors - Alan Sensei and Nagaki Sensei, and everyone I spoke to was full of praise about the instruction they received.

One of the things that really impressed over the weekend was the number of club members who were training. There were a lot of Karate Kids on the course who were not grading, and due to their enthusiasm (and some confusion on my part) some of them even kept on training after their session was finished! Despite whatever nerves they must have been feeling our junior club members appeared to approach their grading with confidence. Cameron, Ruby, Harry, Dexter, Evie, Thomas and Oliver all were successful.

Next up were our red belts, Xander and Edward looked composed as they were put through their paces. Well done to both of you for another successful grading. I know from speaking to them beforehand that Joe, Gareth and Colin were all very nervous, however Peter Sensei reported that they entered the grading hall looking very relaxed (we only found out later that this was near exhaustion from putting all their energy into their training!). All were successful and Gareth and Colin earned their Yellow Belts, with Joe advancing to 8th Kyu.

I was assisting Alan Sensei for the rest of the Kyu gradings and had a perfect view of the proceedings, although I do find it incredibly stressful to have to watch the gradings and try to maintain a neutral expression. Katherine attacked her grading with her usual style and grace, which caught the attention of Alan Sensei. Lisa looked very nervous throughout the grading, but despite a couple of small mistakes, which I am sure were down to nerves, she successfully graded to 5th Kyu - catching up with her daughter Rebecca. It always surprises me how much pressure we put on ourselves during grading. I am sure that it is a reflection of how important karate is to us and how strongly we want to excel at it. Lisa conquered her nerves and should be justifiably proud of her purple belt.

Peter was presented with his Shodan certificate by Alan Sensei

Fraser was up next, and looked full of determination. Progressing through the brown belts is a very testing time as the technical requirements of each grading seem to increase exponentially with each grade. Fraser did very well to achieve a Temporary 2nd Kyu, but I know that he was disappointed not to have achieved a full grade. For a lot of people this might be enough to put them off returning to training, however I hope that Fraser sticks with it as he is very close to achieving that elusive Black Belt, and with dedication to his training and determination I know that he can get there.

Adam and Jonathan were up next. I know that they have found progression through the brown belts to be difficult, but you would not have known that if you were watching their grading. Both of them put in excellent, determined performances (and both did the best Bassai Dai that I have ever seen them do) to successfully reach 1st Kyu. Congratulations, this is the pay off for all your hard work in the dojo! However there is more to come - you have a whole new grading syllabus to learn, kata to perfect, and kumite to master, but if you show the dedication that has brought you this far then I know you will be joining the ranks of the club’s black belts soon.

With the Kyu gradings over, the grading panel moved back into the main hall for the climax of the weekend - the Dan gradings. We had five hopeful karate-ka attempting their grading for Shodan - Jack, Lee, Oli, Elizabeth, and Thomas. This was perhaps the most nerve wrecking part of the weekend for the parents, club members and instructors. I am very proud to report that every one put in very strong and skilled performances. There was a bit of concern from his parents when Thomas was called to do kumite with a second partner, but if anything the second match was even more impressive than the first.

Congratulations to our new Shodans - Jack, Oli, Elizabeth, and Thomas. You have worked very hard for what you have achieved and should be very proud of yourselves. Lee also put in a very good performance, but an unfortunate mistake during Heian Sandan meant that he has to retake the kata section of the grading again. This should not be seen as a failure - the grading consists of three sections, Kihon, Kata, and Kumite, and Lee did very well to pass two out of the three sections. The gradings with the JKS are very thorough, and to pass two out the three sections is something to be proud of.

  

A very proud Sensei

The most impressive thing about the whole weekend was the manner in which every single member of the club trained. You were focused, enthusiastic, dedicated and gave it your all. You also maintained the high standards of etiquette that we pride ourselves on. You should all be very proud of yourselves, as your instructors, fellow club members, family and friends are.

As I said earlier - what a weekend!

Final thanks must go to Paul Sensei for his awesome organisational and logistical skills. The entire weekend went off without a hitch, which is a testament to the amount of planning and preparation he puts into each course he runs. OSU Sensei.
Jim


As a postscript I would like to say how glad we were to see Lee at training on Monday. I know from personal experience how difficult it is to walk back into the dojo after a grading where you are not happy with your performance. The fact that you were training on Monday Lee speaks volumes about your strength of character and determination. I predict that you'll be tying on your own Kuro Obi soon.



visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to find out more about our Club. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk