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

Surprise guest instructor!

We had a surprise visit from Glenn Riley Sensei from Akashi Shotokan Karate Club in Leeds on Thursday 20th February. He took the class for an excellent lesson on Ushiro Geri, possibly following prompting by Brenda, and then assisted Mike Sensei with the instruction on kata and kumite throughout the rest of the training session.

Glenn Sensei performing Junro Shodan

It was an absolute pleasure to have Glenn Sensei at our club. He always invites us to any special training session that he runs, and I know that several of us have thoroughly enjoyed travelling to Leeds to train with his club.

Glenn Sensei showing the correct technique for Ushiro Geri

For our potential Shodans I think this visit was perfectly timed. Whilst the content was very relevant for their grading (and everyone else's development) the change of focus, instructor and the lessening of the pressure allowed them to relax slightly before the stress of the weekend.

Glenn Sensei showing his incredible reach with his Ushiro Geri

I'd like to thank Glenn Sensei for visiting and instructing us, and to extend a warm welcome to him and everyone from Akashi - you are more than welcome to come and visit us at Haxby anytime, and we look forward to the next opportunity that we have to train together.

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

Dojo's Friend for January

Dojo decided that his friend for the month of January is Harry.

Harry hasn't been with us for long, but this shows that with commitment, and the correct attitude to learning, anything is possible.  Harry is quiet, thoughtful and keen to learn new techniques.  He never has to be asked to listen or pay attention, and is always ready in line for training to begin.  It is time for Dojo to have a responsible and reliable role model, and with Harry, I think he has just that.

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

Children's Competition

Children’s Open Competition

9^th February 2014
By Ian Massey

An early start was in order, if only to secure a space in the car park of the John Godber Centre. Even arriving nearly an hour before the start of the event, though, we joined a queue of competitors and supporters snaking up the stairs and, eventually, filling the reception area. It must have been some relief for the Centre’s staff when the doors to the main hall opened and we made our way in and out of their way.

The point of this event, as Alan Sensei was at pains to point out during his introduction, is to give the younger karateka a chance to compete in a slightly less intimidating and more relaxed atmosphere than one of the bigger competitions, with no big black belts wandering about. While still competitive, it is intended to be fun and the children are intended to be the stars. The smaller size of the venue, with just one tatami, makes it easier for the spectators to see the competitors and those spectators are encouraged to give vocal support, although shouting such things as, “Kill him!” was discouraged.

There seemed to be slightly fewer children competing this year, compared to last and slightly better use of floor space, including the provision of extra chairs after the competition had started, meant that everybody who wanted to be seated could be, although a few chose to stay standing at the back of the stage.

The competition itself included, over the course of the day, various categories of kata and kumite, based split by age and grade, and ended with a team kumite competition. Team kata, which had featured last year, was missing this time round. One thing that was incredibly impressive was the sportsmanship on show throughout the day. Very few of the children, no matter how young, forgot or had to be reminded to shake hands with their opponents and the vast majority were either magnanimous in victory or gracious in defeat. Inevitably there were the occasional tears, either in defeat or during kumite bouts but, especially during the latter, the referees were brilliant at putting the children at ease and, as far as I can remember, no competitor dropped out of a bout.

The kata sections were keenly competed but it was the kumite that showed just how much spirit the children have. Even in the lower age groups, the bouts were entertaining to watch and, what some of the children lacked in different techniques, they more than made up for in enthusiasm. This was especially evident with a very young, very small white belt called Felicity, who provided many of the day’s “aww” moments. Up against a yellow belt, she was first to make a move as the referee started the bout, launching herself at her opponent. Unfortunately she seemed to injure her own foot as she ran over and had to retire injured. One of the most spirited performances came from a boy, again in the youngest category, with a red stripe down the middle of his white belt. Making the final (in one of the largest categories) was no mean feat, especially given that he took some big hits in every round, and he eventually received his silver medal with the biggest smile of the day.

Elizabeth, keen to compete for the second year despite having no team-mates once again managed to meet up with friends from other clubs. This time she was at least partially adopted by members of, I think, the Seibukan club, receiving a bit of coaching from Shaun, one of that club’s black belts, and being among the first to congratulate her friend Natalia on her silver medal in kata and gold in kumite.  

Her competition was a bit of a mixed bag. In Individual Kata, 3^rd – 1^st Kyu, 10 – 13 yrs, Female she was up against another 1^st kyu and they were given Heian Sandan. An apparent hesitation or stumble at the very start was obvious to all and Elizabeth lost 4:1, with only the head referee awarding her a flag. She later admitted that she had got mixed up with Heian Godan.

Always first to admit that she prefers kumite to kata and it must have been with some relief that, this time round, she found herself up against an opponent no bigger than her, but the same grade, in the 3^rd – 1^st Kyu, 10 – 13 yrs, Female section. Elizabeth scored first but her opponent soon levelled and with the score tied at the end of the bout, the judges unanimously awarded the win to the other girl, presumably because she attacked more. (I may be biased, and no expert, but I couldn’t see much difference.)

After that defeat, it came as a bit of a surprise when she was called up again, this time to fight for the bronze medal. I assume that this must have been on some sort of “count-back” but can’t be sure. This bout saw her take on a 3^rd kyu who was quite a bit smaller than her. Size didn’t seem to matter, though, and Elizabeth was quickly a score down. It briefly looked as though she had levelled when Paul Sensei seemed to flag a hit for her, but the head referee overruled him and her opponent then scored again, taking the medal.

The Team Kumite took the same format as last year, with the team members shared out between the six highest grades. There seemed to be fewer competitors this year and those who had stayed seemed to be younger than last time, including young Felicity, prompting more cries of “aww” from the remaining supporters.

Elizabeth’s team picked the name Stealth and, up against The Karate Kids, the pattern was much the same as last year. With the higher grades fighting first in bouts of just thirty seconds, Elizabeth was again up against the same 3^rd kyu who had beaten her to the individual medal. Again her opponent scored first and, with just the one point separating them at the end of the bout, the decision went o the judges who, again, were unanimous in her opponent’s favour. The next three bouts were draws and the final of the five was won by a red belt from Stealth, so the scores were tied with each team taking one win. The highest grades took to the tatami again and the winner of this bout would see their team progress. This time out neither girl scored but the judges voted 3:1 in favour of Elizabeth’s opponent. A slightly better result but one that mean that, for Elizabeth and Team Stealth the competition was over.  

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