Karatedo Shitokai New Zealand

 

Karatedo Shitokai held its annual end of year gradings on Saturday 13th December at honbu dojo. This year there were three students grading for 3rd Kyu, three for 1st Kyu, and two students grading for Nidan.

 

I am happy to report that all passed with flying colours. The three youngsters grading for 3rd Kyu,(Devlin Lewis, Alyssa Hendrikse and Reuben Crum) performed most credibly, with their Bunkai Kumite of all the Haean Katas to a very good standard.

For 1st Kyu (Georgia Higgins, Tyler Picketts and Ted Hurley) were put through a rigorous grading (it is the last step before Shodan) to give them an idea of what next year can hold (when they try for Shodan). This entailed some hard fighting to test their spirit, plus Kata and Bunkai practical knowledge, and once again, I am happy to report that all three passed their test well, so roll on next year, with some very hard training and learning to come before December 2015!

The final gradings, with Scott Higgins and Rick Lunn, Once again a big challenge for both men. Nidan is probably our toughest grading, being a huge "spirit” grading, where a lot is demanded of the gradees’ ability to keep going through some pretty tough periods, plus a very high knowledge of Kata Bunkai, and weapon defence (knife, club) with their spirit being tested at the end when they are totally exhausted.

 

Both Scott & Rick are very fit men, Scott being a cross fit enthusiast and Rick being a real "gym junkie” and they both needed all their fitness to come through the test. Both have also put in many hours of extra Kata, Bunkai and Self Defence training with Bob. All the extra work showed in their performances and Karatedo Shitokai is proud to welcome both men as Nidan.