Grading April 2016

Judging Panel: John Hurley (5th Dan), Alex Buxton (3rd Dan), Jeff Archer (1st Dan)

We had one of our larger gradings with 20 hopefuls. After the intense training building up to the recent HKK Nationals, the judges were hoping for a high standard and were not disappointed.

Many of those who scored gold and silver medals at the competition continued with their high standard and earned 1st class passes. They were as follows:

We started off with the yellow belt hopefuls and Katarzyna (Gold, Kata) showing excellent form and maintaining her energy throughout the grading. Caitlin (Gold, Kata) showed incredible focus and also showed no reduction in her strength and power for the whole grading.

In the green belt category, Adam (Gold, Kumite), although only back in training for a few months worked very hard to catch up and earn his first class pass. Olivia (Silver, Kata) and Adrianna (Silver, Kumite), just as in their previous gradings, really pushed themselves and showed good technique and determination throughout.

The performance of the day goes to Aaron Holdsworth (Kumite Gold, Kata Silver and Team Kumite Silver) who took his 2nd Kyu Brown Belt. In an unforgiving three-hour grading he showed excellent form and true determination. He only finally collapsed at the end of the grading, when the panel allowed him to, as the whole class applauded.

Congratulations to everyone who graded – you did extremely well!