JKS Christmas Course 2015

It was a very wet and miserable morning that saw an intrepid bunch set off from Haxby very early to make the annual trip down to Nottingham for the JKS Christmas Course. For some of us (Mike Sensei, Jim, Brenda, Jonathan and Elizabeth) it was nothing new, having attending these or the Black and Brown Belt courses before (Adam was planning to attend but unfortunately broke his nose in an accident at school – Get well soon, and we hope to see you back in the dojo before too long). Others (Ian, Olivia, Joe, and Sarah) felt some nerves as this was their first time attending a big JKS England course, and they were not sure what to expect. One of us had another reason to be nervous, but more on that later…

We arrived slightly early, which gave us time to catch up with the friends that we have made on these courses, and to introduce our clubs members that were attending for the first time.

The attendees at the JKS Christmas Course

 As always the course was lead by Head of JKS England Alan Campbell Sensei, 6th Dan, supported by National Head Coach Matt Price Sensei 6th Dan and Steve Carless Sensei 6th Dan, all of whom had recently arrived back in England following a training trip to Japan.

As usual the class was split between Dan grade and Kyu grades. Matt Sensei took the kyu grades initially focusing on kumite drills and the Heian Katas. Steve Sensei took the Dan grades through kihon drills and movement, Kumite drills and finishing off with Kata - Jiin and Kashu. The instructors swapped after the first session with Matt Sensei taking the senior class through some more advanced kumite drills and exercises while Steve Sensei took the junior grades through Kihon, the use of body mechanics in karate movement to generate power, and finishing with Heian Yondan.

Brenda, Joe, Olivia, and Sarah training hard

As I was training with the Dan grades I did not see any of Brenda, Joe, Olivia and Sarah’s training, but they all reported that it had been a fun, challenging and interesting session. The higher grade training was fantastic as usual. I did notice that Jonathan more than held his own when grouped with some very strong and talented karate-ka when we were doing group kumite drills. Ian also seemed to greatly enjoy his introduction to the JKS programme of training.

In the final session Alan Sensei took everyone through the kata Hyakuhachiho (108 steps). For many this was the first time they had been introduced to this kata as it is not part of the shotokan syllabus, and there were some very interesting combinations of moves to master.

For most of us this signaled the end of the course, and we could relax and try to commit to memory some of the most relevant issues that that the excellent instruction had highlighted for our training. For myself, though, the day was far from over!

I lined up with the other nervous Dan grading candidates and waited for my turn to be called up to attempt my Nidan grading. It took some time for the grading panel (which included Mike Sensei) to work their way through the Shodan candidates, and like the other Nidan hopefuls I spent the time trying to keep warmed up, and nervously going though kata and kihon.

All too soon (it seemed) we were called up to do our Kihon – of course I was placed right in front of the examiners table (Mike Sensei and Steve Sensei) – there would be nowhere for me to hide! But thinking about it I am glad as it forced me to give my very best, and as Alan Sensei instructed the Dan grade candidates – this was our opportunity to show off what we could do – coasting wasn’t an option. We seemed to fly through the kihon and before we knew it we were doing the dreaded (well for me anyway!) four kicks from one leg that signaled the end of the kihon section.

Mike Sensei with a very relieved Jim after the grading

There was a short break whilst the final Shodan candidates completed their Kumite and Kata sections in front of Alan Sensei and Matt Sensei and then we were called up. For kumite I was partnered with Lewis Bradbury and Joseph Bulmer, both considerably younger and fitter than me (and England Squad members), but with Mike Sensei’s mantra of “don’t keep running away!” firmly in mind I gave it my all. Alan Sensei gave me some feedback between my first and second bouts that I needed to try to release my punches a bit quicker, which I tried to incorporate. Both my opponents were very skilled and displayed excellent control, despite trying as hard as I was to score.

I was lucky to gave a short break (to catch my breath) before being called on to do kata. I performed my chosen kata (Jion) and then Bassai Dai and Junro Nidan to complete my grading.

There was a short pause whilst the grading panel conferred and then the results were announced. It seems like I am always the last one to be announced (possibly they do it in age order and I am always the oldest there!) – Nidan Pass!

I would like to thank my instructors Mike Sensei and Ian Sensei for the support and dedication in getting me through my grading. I think that sometimes we lose sight of how lucky we are as a club to have such talented, passionate and supportive instructors. I’d also like to thank my ‘karate family’ – my friends from the club, from Selby, from the JKS and beyond for their support and good wishes.

Speaking to Mike Sensei after the grading, the focus will now be shifting to others who are due to grade soon (Ian, Lorraine, Brenda!) and the club will continue to develop its members into well-rounded karate-ka.

OSU

Jim

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