JKA England karate course & kyu grading examinations in York

17th July 2010

The Summer karate course and kyu grading examinations for both the York Karate Academy and the York Kenshinkan karate club were conducted by Sensei Yoshinobu Ohta 7th Dan JKA.  We had guests from TSKC, Harpenden SKC, Shimeijurasan JKAE clubs, as well as guests from York, Selby & Haxby IJKA clubs and even Sensei Kenny Button 6th Dan with students from his Hara Shotokan Association.

The warm ups were taken by Simon Flint 1st Dan from Haxby SKC,  before Sensei Ohta went on to take a very thorough and comprehensive session covering kihon,  kata and kumite.  The three groups (lower grades, intermediates and the senior grades) practiced alongside each other, performing slightly differing variations of basics and kumite.  We then were taught the relevant kata for each kyu grade level. 

The seniors (including brown belts) were taken through Gankaku kata in sections, with each section being added to the last, until the whole kata had been performed a number of times!  Sensei did allow us a short 5 minute break half way through proceedings, which was gratefully accepted!  The 2 hr course was concluded with a full group photo, followed by a Black and Brown belt photo.

With around 50 students grading from the York Karate Academy, York Kenshinkan karate club and Sheffield Shimeijurasan, Sensei Ohta gave constructive feedback whenever necessary and praise wherever possible to help students perform to their best ability.  All students were successful on this occasion, although 4 or 5 managed to get themselves temporary grades due to making either some mistakes or getting their combination wrong!  Sometimes nerves seem to get the better of us all when least wanted.

With the examinations concluded,  we are all now looking forward to the following day (Sun 18th) for the special JKA England all grades kata course in Boroughbridge.

Article by
Paul G W Mendham 4th Dan JKA - YKA Senior Instructor