On Sunday 12th June we held two grading’s at Fleetwood. Many thanks yet again to those Instructor’s and students who again gave up their day to assist and encourage their own students and others who were attempting grading.
The Instructors were Sensei Gary McDonald, Sensei Gavin Oliphant, Sensei Julie Dudley, Sensei Del Knowles, Sensei Martin Thomas, Sensei Martin Wilmot and assisting in the first grading Sensei Kirsty Churchouse.
The remainder of helpers were mainly Junior Instructor’s and Junior Sempai’s these were Kieron Lydon, Nathan Crowther, Brandon Crowther, Megan Lockett, Laighton Worthington, Alfie Appleby, Rebecca Worthington and Ben Churchouse. Chris Morley also gave up his time to assist with the adults. Thanks to all of you for your help it was very much appreciated, you are a credit to yourselves and the club.
We must also remember those parents and supporters who encouraged from the sides, constant attendance in bringing children to classes is vital and we thank you for your time and commitment.
The first grading had all small junior white and yellow belts grading. All the students did fantastically well, particularly so as they were all very young and for the majority of them it was their first grading. There was some real talent in this first section and we look forward to seeing them all develop through their grades. Well done to you all!
The second grading had teenage and adult white and yellow belts plus all the other Kyu grades right through to 2nd Kyu’s who were attempting their very last Kyu grade (1st Kyu) before black belt.On what was a particularly warm day the effort and focus given was brilliant to see, everyone worked tirelessly and again there is some amazing talent coming through the grades.
Well done to the purple belts who for those grading at this level was a bit of a leap up from previous grading’s, you all did extremely well and should be immensely proud of yourselves! Congratulations on your 4th Kyu’s.
We always mention by name those students who have obtained the grade of 3rd Kyu and above as to get to these levels takes many years of determination, effort and commitment. Obstacles sometimes come up to challenge you but getting over these is what takes a student all the way to black belt.
Max Gray – 3rd Kyu
Max is a lovely quiet boy who is an absolute pleasure to teach in class. He always attends promptly - rarely missing classes and supports every event we hold. Max’s commitment to his training is a testament to his karate technique. At the grading he had good clean kata’s and his kumite is now starting to mature and have more control. Max has improved a lot since his last grading and we are sure as Max grows both in age and Kyu level his standard will continue to go from strength to strength. Well done Max brilliant work!
Jack Southern – 3rd Kyu
Jack is another lovely boy who is still young and has achieved so much already in his karate. He is another student who is an absolute pleasure to teach and has improved vastly since he last graded. Jack has great karate, on the grading day his kata’s were practiced and executed well and he had brilliant kumite which now shows more technique and understanding. Jack is now really starting to come into his own and has improved significantly in all areas since his last grading. Well done Jack. Congratulations on your 3rd Kyu.
Kieron Gray – 2nd Kyu
Kieron is a very talented young student who just keeps getting better and better. He like his brother Max rarely misses classes and we commend him for this. He is a fantastic student to have in the club and supports every event we hold. Kieron really enjoys his karate and this is shining through in his grading. On the grading day he was brilliant in all areas, with strong kata’s and excellent kumite, showing why Kieron really deserved his 2nd Kyu. Keep up the great work young man, you are doing a fantastic job! Congratulations on your grade.
Georgia Chapman – 2nd Kyu
Georgia is a lovely polite girl and an absolute pleasure to have in the club. Georgia always trains hard and focuses well in every lesson and is improving all the time in all areas of her karate. Georgia’s real turning point was when she decided to increase her training to three times a week (two regular class and senior class) her kata’s are now a lot sharper and practiced well and her stances and kumite have significantly improved since last time she graded. Georgia coped with the grading day with a lot more maturity and understanding than when she attempted her 3rd Kyu. She showed that she was ready to move forward to the next level and regularly attending senior class has helped her cope with this immensely as well as preparing her for her black belt. Well done Georgia brilliant work, you should be very proud!
Yvonne Crowther – 2nd Kyu
Club manager and Sempai Yvonne is a great student to have in class (I can’t really say anything else, haha) and always tries hard in every lesson. Training twice a week as well as regularly attending senior class has helped Yvonne improve significantly from her last grading. Attempting her 2nd Kyu Yvonne showed much improved kata’s and a lot more maturity and distance in her kumite, a remarkable difference from when attempting her 4th Kyu! Yvonne just needs to keep doing what she has been and the rewards will come. Congratulations on your 2nd Kyu. Well done!
Tobias Adjetey-Hilton - 1st Kyu
Tobias is a good steady student who always tries his best in every class and enjoys his karate. Tobias did very well at his grading, his kata’s were of a good standard and executed well. Tobias worked extremely hard in the kumite, he coped brilliantly in this section despite having some challenging rounds and having to spar until the very end. Tobias coped with everything really well and showed why he was ready to obtain his 1st Kyu. Tobias’s focus has improved a lot this year and hopefully this will continue. We very much look forward to seeing Tobias continue to improve as he now works towards his black belt. Well done Tobias, keep up the great work!
Kirsty Churchouse – 1st Kyu
Sensei Kirsty is a great asset to the club and is a really loyal supporter and fantastic student, supporting every event that we hold Kirsty trains regularly twice a week as well as attending senior class and assists Sensei Julie at the Thursday Fleetwood dojo, she is one busy lady! Kirsty’s karate continues to improve all the time and being the determined and focused student that she is we have no doubt that Kirsty will continue to make great strides in her karate. At the grading Kirsty worked really hard throughout and has improved significantly since her last grading. Her kata’s had been practiced well and she was a lot confident going through them which was great to see. In the kumite section Kirsty worked and was pushed really hard. Wow what a difference from her last grading! Kirsty now has a lot more control and distance, and is no longer trying to fight her opponent, showing a great maturity in her understanding. Kirsty has always had a fantastic attitude and has I have previously said no one can fault her sheer drive in classes. Congratulations Kirsty, you thoroughly deserved your 1st Kyu, very well done. Next step, black belt!