On Sunday 13th March we held a large grading at Fleetwood and it was another exceptional day. The standard of karate on display was very high and this is due to the great team of Instructors here at Musuko Karate Academy.
We must once again mention those who gave up their Sunday to help out and support on the day, without their commitment events like grading days would be impossible tasks.
Thanks to Sensei Gary McDonald, Sensei Gavin Oliphant, Sensei Julie Dudley, Sensei Martin Thomas, Sensei Del Knowles, Sensei Martin Wilmot and Sensei Kirsty Churchouse. Junior Instructors Nathan Crowther and Kieran Lydon, Junior Sempai’s Brandon Crowther, Chelsea Grundy, Jack Churchouse, Laighton Worthington and Alex Oliphant. Many thanks also to Chris Greenhalgh, Amy Greenhalgh and Jon Mockridge. We are very lucky to have such fantastic people who really enjoy assisting in events like grading’s and your help is always appreciated.
We also have to mention the parents and family members who gave up their time to cheer and encourage everyone from the sides, as well as the many hours given each week travelling around to all the different classes. Your very kind and continuous comments about the club are really appreciated. Thank you all for your brilliant support!
We had students who were attending their very first grading to attain their 9th Kyu yellow belts all the way through to three students attempting their 1st Kyu rank (the last Kyu grade before black belt).
Everyone did brilliantly and put in 100% effort from start to finish and again it was another full pass rate with every student succeeding to their next Kyu grade.
There are some really great students with various grades in the club who have exceptional karate, and some of these are only 4 or 5 years of age. They among others are definitely ones to watch for the future!
Congratulations to Matthew Lacy, Chris Schofield and Paul Preston who all double graded from 10th Kyu white belt to 8th Kyu orange belt. Double grading’s do not come along very often and are a big achievement. Huge well done to all three of you and keep the great work up!
We always mention by name students who attain the level of 3rd Kyu and above. To get to these levels takes many years of hard work, commitment and sheer determination.
We therefore congratulate the following students:
Harvey Atkinson – 3rd Kyu
Harvey is a lovely and polite young man who always tries his hardest in all the classes he attends. Harvey is a great student to have in the club as he always listens and pays attention to what is being taught and then puts this into practice. Harvey is progressing nicely through his grades and his karate is improving in all areas. On the grading day Harvey worked tirelessly from start to finish he had good clean kata’s and his kumite was nice and controlled. Harvey was pushed really hard in the kumite section and he showed great determination to carry on without any fuss, never once did Harvey show signs of giving up. A huge Congratulations on your 3rd Kyu Harvey, keep the fantastic work going!
Connor Mooney – 3rd Kyu
Connor is another great student who gives it his all in classes. He is a well-liked member of the club and regularly trains, rarely missing classes and for this we commend him. Connor always tries hard in class and then puts this into practice. On the grading day Connor did fantastically well he was very determined and very focused and just got on with the job in hand. His kata’s were lovely and clean and had been practiced well. In the kumite section Connor was much improved as in the past he has been known to lose his temper but now Connor is much more controlled and this certainly paid off for him on the day showing excellent skill and great movement. He is finally starting to believe in his ability more and this will now help him immensely. Well done Connor you never gave up, fantastic work. Congratulations on your 3rd Kyu.
Daisy Oliphant -3rd Kyu
Daisy is the daughter of Sensei Gavin and she is an absolute joy to have in classes. Not only is she mega cute but is also a little pocket rocket. Daisy is a member of the squad team winning two out of three tournament medals in really high ranking standards of competition as well as winning Exceptional Karate-Ka Award 2015. Daisy is doing so well with her karate, she is still only 8 years of age but has already achieved so much. She attends and supports every event we hold and all this is really helping her karate tenfold. On the grading day Daisy did brilliantly. Her kata’s were lovely and sharp and had been practiced well and in the kumite although Daisy perhaps didn’t always find it easy she coped brilliantly and showed why she was very deserving of her 3rd Kyu rank. Congratulations Daisy fantastic work, keep it up!
Charlotte Bertram -1st Kyu
Charlotte is a lovely girl who tries really hard in classes and it has all been paying off for her. Charlotte trains four times a week along with her two brothers and is another student who supports and attends every event we hold. Charlotte is a very popular member of the club and has made some great friends. She is a member of the squad team and already had success winning a silver medal, and is also currently a Junior Female Student of the Year 2015. Charlotte has really good all round karate and has a natural ability at picking things up quickly. At the grading Charlotte worked tirelessly from start to finish. Her kata’s were performed brilliantly and her kumite was nice and controlled. Charlotte is a great role model for the younger females to look up to and we have no doubt Charlotte will do exceptionally well when she attempts her black belt at the end of the year. Congratulations Charlotte you should be very proud of everything you have achieved so far. Keep up the great work!
Elliott Bertram – 1st Kyu
Elliott is a nice polite young man who is now starting to come into his own with his karate. Elliott with his sister Charlotte and brother Keith are great personalities in classes. Elliott is also another popular member of the club forming strong friendships with students of a similar age to himself. He really enjoys his karate and is a member of the squad team as well as attending every event we do. Elliott recently had quite a serious knee injury but after regaining full health he has come back training and been stronger and better than ever! On the grading day Elliott was exceptional from start to finish. Such was his determination and focus he impressed all the Sensei’s and Sempai’s who were there, and who all commented on how good he was. Elliott’s kata’s were exceptionally sharp with great kimae and in the kumite he was just outstanding. Nothing seemed to faze Elliott and we are really looking forward to him attempting his black belt later in the year! Congratulations Elliott fantastic work. You should be really proud!
Oliver Spencer – 1st Kyu
Oliver is another lovely polite young student and it’s great to have him in the club. Oliver is really enjoying his karate at the moment and is improving at a very fast rate and this is why Sensei Simon decided to move him forward earlier than expected. Oliver trains three times a week and always focuses and listens hard to what is being taught. He is currently a Junior Male Student of the Year 2015 and a great role model to some of the younger male students. On the grading day Oliver did exceptionally well he again impressed all the Sensei’s and Sempai’s who were watching and delivered some awesome karate. His kata’s were very clean and sharp and had been practiced well. In the kumite section Oliver did brilliantly, he coped with every situation very well and never once thought of giving up. We very much look forward to seeing Oliver attempt his black belt later in the year. Well done Oliver, fantastic work. Congratulations on your 1st Kyu.