Many apologies for taking so long to do a write up on the grading, we have been refurbishing and upgrading the office, but we're all back to normal now!
We held our very first club grading on the 18th May and what a fantastic day it was! The feedback from families observing, regarding the grading and standard was fantastic. Thank you to everyone who commented to us and supported the day!
The grading was divided into two sections to give the maximum benefit for all students who were grading.
The first section had students grading from white belt to students attempting their 5th Kyu blue belts. From the very start all the students worked extremely hard and gave 100% effort and focus on what was so far the hottest day of the year!
The responses were fantastic and there was some great katas and kumite being displayed. There was a particularly good standard by the students who were grading from green to blue belt, and these students got pushed most on the day in the first section. By the end of the grading everyone who had taken part had very red faces and all the students throughly deserved their next grades.
Very well done to Kirsty Churchouse who was awarded her Sempai belt and badge and to Charlotte Bertram who deservedly earned her right to be a Junior Sempai.
Congratulations to all the students who successfully graded to their next Kyu and many thanks to Sensei Gavin, Sensei Julie, Sensei Martin and Sensei Del for assisting with the grading.
Section two had students from purple to 1st Kyu brown belt. These students were attempting their 3rd Kyu brown belts right through to one student, Dylan Hickman, attempting his Shodan-Ho.
Again all the students worked extremely hard and gave 100% effort from start to finish. There was some fantastic katas and brilliant kumite displayed and as a lot of these students were going for high grades they were pushed really hard. Each and every student displayed amazing karate-ka, staying focused, sharp,disciplined and super determined throughout.
All the students deservedly graded to their next Kyu's and were thoroughly deserving of them too! Congratulations and very well done to each and every one of you!
We must add a special thanks to our guest Instructor Sensei Peter Bibby 5th Dan, who came along and assisted with the grading panel as we had Dylan Hickman attempting Shodan-Ho. Thanks again also to Sensei Del who also assisted with the grading.
Congratulations to Martin Wilmott who was awarded and fully deserved his Sempai belt and badge.
We will always name in person students going for 3rd Kyu or above as to get to this level is a big achievement.
3rd Kyu
Taigen Swinburn Lucy Hulme Eve Benson Drew Benson
Abby Woodcock Martin Wilmott Chris Morley
2nd Kyu
Solomon Mattatia Ben Churchouse Jack Churchouse Laighton Worthington
Julie Dudley Michael Jordan
1st Kyu
Alfie Appleby Brandon Crowther Chelsea Grundy Rebecca Worthington
Gavin Oliphant Alex Oliphant Martin Thomas Ethan Woodcock
Congratulations to the above named students. You all fully deserved your grades and you are a credit to yourselves and the commitment to your training.
We will always individually mention students attempting their Shodan-Ho or above, as to get to this level takes many years of dedication, training and commitment.
Shodan-Ho
DYLAN HICKMAN
Dylan Hickman is a very special student and young man. He has been training with Sensei Simon for around four years since he was a white belt and has always shown a great attitude in the dojo. He is always polite, trains hard and listens intently to what Sensei Simon teaches him. These foundations have made Dylan a fantastic karate-ka. His katas are always polished and well practiced and his kumite is strong and very controlled.
Dylan did extremelly well on the day and showed the other students why he was worthy of obtaining his black belt. Dylan had Nathan Crowther and Kieran Lydon..both already 1st Dans to contend with! They trained alongside Dylan throughout the grading and both boys worked and pushed Dylan hard in the basics and combinations. In the kumite Dylan was pushed extremely hard and even had to spar Sensei Peter and Sensei Simon at the same time! Dylan stayed in control, kept his focus and just got on with the task in hand even though by this time he was exhausted!
Both Sensei's on the panel couldn't fail to be impressed by Dylan's determination and both Sensei Peter and Sensei Simon were very happy to award Dylan with his Shodan-Ho.
There were a few tears around the dojo and the biggest cheer of the day when Dylan was called forward to receive his belt and framed certificate. Dylan also gained his Junior Instructor badge and is now a great junior teacher and a fab example to all the other young students we have in the club.
Congratulations Dylan, awesome work! We now very much look forward to you hopefully attempting the grade of Shodan in late November.