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
