We were back at Manor School for the
grading last month. Other than being a little challenging to find this is an
excellent venue for our gradings as the sports facilities are self contained,
and the staff on the day were brilliant.
Once again, thanks to Paul Sensei’s
excellent planning we were graced with two fantastic guest instructors: Alan
Campbell Sensei (7th Dan), Head of JKS England, and Hans Rana Sensei (5th Dan).
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| Hans Sensei leading the Junior Grades |
Soon enough the hall started to fill, and
one of our members attending for the first time was impressed with just how
many people were training. The Instruction begun with the class being split
between the instructors, Hans Sensei was very impressed with how flexible some
of the junior grades were and Alan Sensei took them through the perfect
combination of Kihon, Kata, and Kumite to get them ready for their gradings.
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| Alan Sensei taking the clasc through Kumite drills |
For most of our students though, there was
another reason for attending course – taking the next step in their karate
journey by attempting to grade for their next belt. As always there were some
nerves evident, but that only shows how much we care about what we do.
Isla, Jaxon, Thomas (L), and Robert were
first up and all successfully achieved 12th Kyu. It is always nice
to see our Karate Kids take their first step towards Black Belt. Sam and Murphy
were also taking their first grading, and I know Sam was especially worried as
he had a broken finger, but both of them produced very strong performances to
double grade, joining Leon who successfully achieved 11th Kyu.
Annie, Joshua, and Zach were all attempting
9th Kyu, and as expected were all successful. These three are a
great example of our Kids Class, they turn up week in and week out, and all try
hard – the result of which was evidence in their grading success.
Daniel was the last of the Kids Class to
grade, joining, Paul (D) at 8th Kyu. Gradings become more difficult
from here – there is a new Kata to learn each time, along with more complex
Kihon and Kumite – Heian Nidan is next. There will be some hard work ahead, but
it will be worth to achieve your Yellow Belt!
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| Poppy and Irena being instructed by Alan Sensei |
Thomas (G) was hoping that all his hard
work would pay off as he was attempting to claim his own Yellow Belt. Thomas is a very good student, he always
attends training, he tries very hard, he is polite and respectful. In a larger
club he might be pushed into the background by louder or more boisterous
students, but one of the great things about being the member of a small,
community club is that the instructors are aware of everyone, and we are very
impressed with Thomas (G). This confidence is his ability was shown to be well
founded as he successfully gained 7th Kyu and his Yellow Belt.
Poppy continued her steady progress with a
successful grading, achieved Green Belt (6th Kyu). Poppy has reached
the end of the beginner grades, the standard that is expected gets higher from
here, but I am confident that she will continue her steady progress towards
Shodan.
Will (V) and Aiden were both attempting 4th
Kyu – the last grade before Brown Belt. Both Will and Aiden have recently shown
a big improvement in their karate, and this was on display at the grading to
take them to 4th Kyu. Brown Belt beckons, but I am sure that you
will both be ready for it.
Will (M) and Paul (B) were both hoping to
break through into the ranks of the Brown Belts, and both showed their quality
by successfully achieving 3rd Kyu. Not only does the training get a
bit more fun and varied now, the standard that is expected of you gets higher
as well.
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| Some of our Karate Kids are pout through their paces by the grading panel |
Olivia was our last student attempting
grading, going for her 2nd Kyu. Olivia, has been impressing her
instructors lately, she often is the only junior member of the club training
for the last hour, and never seems phased by that or anything else the Mike
Sensei throws at us! She took one step closer to Shodan, by claiming her 2nd
Kyu, and will now be able to concentrate on building up to her Shodan grading.
I was able to put my Gi on and join in with
the most of the Senior Grade training, almost missing all the squats / conditioning
exercise that Alan Sensei lead the class through, but was able to take part in
the kumite based drills that the Senior Class enjoyed.
Hans Sensei took over the Senior Class for
the final session whilst Alan Sensei sat on the grading panel for the Brown
Belts. After some warm ups (including Jyu Kumite – the best way to get to know
someone on a course according to Hans Sensei), and stretching Hans Sensei took
us through the Kata Rentai (the kicking Kata). This is a Kata that I have only
done occasionally on courses, but is was surprising how much of it I had
retained, and to me the way the class approached it emphasized so many things
that I love about our association. Hans Sensei had the attitude of ‘leave no
one behind’ and was only too happy to slow things down or repeat a section if
someone was struggling. The Karate-ka who knew the Kata were happy to spread
themselves out throughout the class to be used as a guide by those learning the Kata.
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| Jim Looking a little confused (?) by Rentai! |
All in all it was a brilliant days training
(although my legs were not too happy about it on Monday morning!), and a
brilliant result from the grading for our club.
As ever I would like to finish with some
thank yous: Alan and Hans Sensei for their excellent instruction, Paul Sensei
for all the time and effort he puts into ensure that these course run smoothly,
Mike Sensei for devoting his day as part of the grading panel, Brenda for he
help signing people in, and Angie Teasdale for helping with selling belts (around
watching Olivia’s grading).
OSU
Jim
visit www.haxbykarate.co.uk to find out more about our Club.
For more information email info@haxbykarate.co.uk
