TSKC - KYU Grading

27th February 2010

The first KYU grading of 2010 for TSKC.  The format was similar to the last grading as this appeared to work quite well. However, what wasn't expected were the numbers of attendees to exceed 122.

Our grading examiner was Sensei Gary Stewart 5th Dan JKA, former JKAE Squad Coach. this was to be his first grading as a qualified Grading Examiner. What a time to do it too. The first class saw a number of students in excess of 90 training who were 6th KYU and below which ultimately meant that the timings which had been predicted for the following gradings and Senior lesson were definitely going to be a bit off. What an understatement that turned out to be. Apologies to all.

The first lesson was full of enthusiasm and energy as Sensei Gary worked the students pretty hard through their basic moves to get them prepared for the Grading. Some students were obviously very nervous but Sensei's approach appeared to put most of them at ease - for the lesson anyway! Having completed the basics, it was necessary to open a few doors and allow air to circulate and dry the floor off. The temperature had risen so much due to the effort put in by the students. Next was Kata.  The students were taken through their kata plus all those they had already learnt, in some detail before performing the same in their KYU grade groups. This was a great opportunity for them to 'pick' Sensei's knowledge and iron out the finer details.

As stated, the number of students far exceeded my expectations but Sensei Gary took it all under his wing with confidence and successfully graded more than 85 students in what was a relatively quick time. Amongst those who graded a special congratulations must go to the following two students who double graded: Sarah Glasgow and Mathew Heaney.

Sarah Glasgow

This student joined TSKC at the Bourton Meadow School dojo in June 2009 and from the start trained hard and showed some great potential with maintaining good stances and performing powerful techniques, despite being away from the dojo on holiday for some weeks. Sarah is 8yrs old and showed interest in wanting to learn more. In December 2009 she attended the ESP Grading at Bierton and passed at Gold level. Throughout her grading, today, she showed determination and courage despite being extremely nervous before the lesson started.

Mathew Heaney

Starting off at the Drayton Parslow School ESP dojo, Mathew had shown that he was willing to learn and progress at his own speed. Wanting to learn more and more, he appeared to always be one kata ahead of his grade. Recognising the fact that, amongst his peers, he was being distracted, he left this class and attended Winslow and Bierton to continue his training, knowing that he would not be distracted by his fellow classmates. Mathew's gradings to 7th Kyu have all been good but today he outperformed those and graded to 5th Kyu without comment on his grading record card. Mathew is aged 9 and joined TSKC in September 2008.

Well done to you both.

Eventually, about an hour and a half later than scheduled, the senior grades started their training with Sensei Gary. A lot of emphasis was placed on yori ashi – sliding in and out of attacks and countering, highlighting the need to judge distance. Fortunately, the doors to the dojo were kept open from before and the floor was not slippery from the copious amounts of sweat dripping from the karateka. Some partner work was put into practice from the combinations Sensei Gary had made us perform which were enjoyed by all.

Moving on, Sensei Gary, mindful that some of the students were grading afterwards, went through the katas Heian Godan, Tekki Shodan, Bassai Dai and Empi pointing out the finer details in these kata too. In addition to this, some useful bunkai applications were demonstrated from Heian Godan and Tekki Shodan showing how they could be used in 'real life' situations.

Sensei asked if the students were okay with Jiyuu Ippon Kumite as we should really be getting on with the grading and I said they were. I did have my fingers and toes crossed at the time.

After a short break, the dojo having been prepared, the second half of the grading commenced. Sensei Gary was impressed by the overall standard of the Purple and Brown belts. Having completed the grading, the dojo was cleaned and eventually the grading was over for another 4 months. We hosted gradings for three other clubs, Bicester SKC, Ardley and Harpenden JKA who had 15, 6 and 6 respectively. My thanks go to; the Chief Instructors of those clubs for attending; Graham Johnson and Freya Flindell for their assistance throughout the grading process, and of course, Sensei Gary Stewart for being our Grading Examiner on this occasion.

Oss
Lester Wellington