The
October grading always seems to sneak up on us. One minute its the summer
holidays, the next its frantic preparation for grading! This grading course was
always going to be a good one. Paul Sensei had managed to secure the
instruction of Alan Campbell Sensei, Head of JKS England, and Matt Price
Sensei, JKS National Squad Coach.
The
training started early (well for a Sunday!) and the junior Karate-ka were soon
being put through their paces by both instructors – they did seem to be enjoying
it a little too much to judge by some of the photos and videos posted on the
clubs Facebook page!
Lilly
was first to brave the grading panel from the club (and the youngest karate-ka
at the course!). She is obviously keen to follow in her big brothers footsteps
and came away with her Orange belt (12th Kyu). Joshua, Zach and
Daniel were up next and all put in strong performances. Daniel was awarded a
double graded by the examiners and achieved his 10th Kyu, with
Joshua and Zach moving up to 11th Kyu.
Double
gradings are something that are occasionally awarded. As instructors we cannot
recommend student to double grade, so they only happen if the examiners see a
particularly strong performance on the day. They are
much more common for the early kyu grades, as with the higher grades the
requirement to know the appropriate Kata for you grade excludes this award.
That
said Thomas also put in a very strong Kihon and Kumite performance and was
awarded his 9th Kyu. Thomas
trains the main class and always demonstrates maximum concentrate and
dedication, this was a well deserved result. Stanish and Nixon joined Thomas at 9th kyu
following their grading, both making the steady progress that we like to see in
our young Karate-ka.
Poppy
was next in front of the grading panel. She has impressed her instructors
lately with her attitude and commitment, and this showed in her grading,
successfully reaching 8th Kyu and the last Red Belt grade. Yellow belt beckons, but this will require
learning a whole new Kata – Heian Nidan. It is worth mentioning here that the
grades from 9th Kyu onwards are full, adult grades. After 9th
Kyu there are no allowances for age – so it is a big achievement for a young
Karate-ka to be awarded one of these grades. Similarly it is a big challenge to
move up to the next grade. Karate-ka should not expect to grade at every
course, they may need more time between gradings to make sure that they are
fully prepared.
Irena
was next to grade. She is the only original member of ‘the parents’ class and
has been making good progress from day one. Despite claiming to be a little
poorly in the morning (which brought back memories of her grading last time
with a ranging temperature!), and showing some signs of nerves, she put in a
good performance and achieved her Yellow Belt (7th Kyu) – no longer
can you claim to be a ‘beginner’!
Next
up were our trio of Yellow Belts, all hoping to trade their tired old belts in
for a nice shiny Green one! And that is exactly what they did – William, Evie
and Aiden, all put in confident performances to attain 6th Kyu. Evie
in particular has been putting in a lot of extra training and I think it really
shows in the big step forward that her karate has taken.
Alice
was taking her first grading with us, after joining us from another club. I
know she was quite nervous before, but I have felt at firsthand how strong her
Kumite has become! She has made great improvements in her karate since joining
us and it showed in her grading, a strong performance got her 5th Kyu
and her Purple Belt. Olivia followed Alice in front of the grading panel, she
again has seemed to blossom after joining the club, again she seemed quiet
nervous before the training started, but these nervous must have dissipated
soon enough as her she came away with 4th Kyu – Brown belt next!
And
Brown Belt was exactly what Holly (C) was aiming form. Holly was the last of
our trio of nervous girls (and the last member of the club) up for grading.
Holly is one of quiet members of the club that warrants watching carefully, her
natural flexibility, aptitude, and attitude have resulted in her making steady
and consistent progress. She successfully graded to 3rd Kyu Brown
Belt, and is now on the road to Shodan. I am confident that she will get there
in her own, quiet way – definitely not one to underestimate!
Whilst
all this was going on the training continued unabated. Although I was busy
helping out and was not able to observe the training of the Junior Grades. I
was lucky enough to join the Senior Grades to train under both Alan and Matt
Sensei. Alan Sensei started the senior session by going right back to basics by
focusing on Gyaku Tzuki and Mae Geri – two techniques that in his words can
tell all about the quality of your karate! This moved on to higher level
combinations including Neko Ashi Dachi and then onto more Kumite style
techniques such as triple Kazami Tzuki (in one Yori Ash) followed by Gyaku
Tzuki. It was great to see members of the club come along for the training
regardless of whether they were grading or not. At the club we are very lucky
to have instructors of this calibre at our courses and you should be taking
advantage of it at every opportunity. Special mention has to go to William, who not
only came straight to the course from another sports event (still in his kit!),
but also lost one of his teeth during the training (naturally, not as a result
f the training I must add!), then calmly put it down on his seat and resumed
training as if nothing had happened!
Matt
Sensei followed this session by focusing on Kata – Heian Godan. He utilised
several very effective drills to improve both hand and leg techniques in Kata
that he freely admits to ‘stealing’ from other top level instructors – I am
sure that these same drills will find their way in to our Dojos, ‘stolen’ in
turn by the senior grades that were training. Again this highlights one of
benefits of having instructors of this ability at our courses, your karate not
only benefits from the training itself, but your instruction will also benefit
by picking up on the techniques and drills that they use. Unfortunately, we did
not have time Tobi Ushiro Mawashi Geri (jumping spinning roundhouse kick!), but
finished off with a ‘conditioning exercise’ (punching your partner in the
stomach!) Matt Sensei emphasised that it is important to karate-ka to get used
to being hit (in a controlled environment) so that they know that they can
respond to it properly in real life.
It
was great to see many friends (old and new) from Bradford, Leeds and Kiazen
coming along to train with us. It is great to make new friends at these
courses. Finally, as always I would like to thank Paul Sensei for all the hard
work he puts in behind the scenes to ensure that these courses run so smoothly.
visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to find out more about our Club. For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk
