shinbukai

On a very inviting Moe Vic. morning, (5 degrees cold) August 10th 2008, Moe Dojo held a grading attended by Shihan Brian Anyos. A very nervous but anxious group awaited Shihan at the gate to the Moe Dojo, and we all bustled inside. At 10am, No ceremony was waisted and we jumped straight into the grading, (I think the temperature had a lot to do with this) and after a strong warm up, of cardio and stretching for around thirty minutes. Shihan took the students through traditional techniques, punches and blocks, in multiple combinations and moved onto Sempai Nick Palmer to take students through the next level of hand techniques, and finally over to Sensei Craig Heffernan for kicks.

All students performed well, with the instructors being reminded of a few of the more unique hand techniques, which the students picked up enthusiastically.

The program then moved into Kata, again all students from the lowest through to the highest ranks performed their required kata with confidence and technical proficiency required to progress. Sempai Nick Palmer, showed a very high level of technical profficiency during his Kata, as well as a strong knowledge of all kata required and performed.

Self defence was next on the agenda, and I was pleased to see all students had a good knowledge of basic techniques, as well as some more advanced criteria. The higher ranked students, also showed proficiency in take downs and various locks and holds. Sempai Nick (Grading) also showed excellent control in working with different ranked students, whilst also offering technicaladvise as he worked with individuals.

Sadly no San Bon Kumite was demonstrated by the grading students, but an explanation from Sensei Craig surficed, and a remedy to that situation will be offered immediately.

After Three hours, the small grading group moved into sparring, and after fifteen minutes of group sparring alternating each minute to new opponents, the grading moved to focus on Sempai Nick Palmers abilities, with Sempai beginning with the lowest ranked student and moved through all those present, (around five students as well as Sempai Antony Svasek, Sensei Craig Heffernan and Shihan Brian Anyos), lasting around eight minutes of sparring, as I called a halt to my bout with Sempai Nick, relief beemed across his face as he realised he had reached the end, only to be quickly washed away with disbeleif as the lowest ranked student was again called in, three rounds with all students, then three more rounds with only the Black belts ensued, and Sempai Nick Palmer gave as good as he received as he went through the ranks.

A very good performance was presented from all students with the grades received being:

Karissa Lloyd 6th kyu Snr
Warren Starikov 5th kyu Snr
Alexandra Lloyd 2nd Kyu Jnr
Tom Lloyd 2nd Kyu Snr
Nick Palmer Ni Dan Snr

Having been present at Sempai Nicks last previous grading in 1994, and his technical proficiency and courage being noted as his strengths, it was pleasing to see that he has kept those strentghs, and added a few more. His ability to communicate with students is of a very high standard, and his technical integrity is of an exremely high standard, and I also witnessed a lot of Ryu Kyu Kobujutsu training on Friday night between Sempai Nick and Craig and he holds profiency there as well.

I would like to thank Sempai Anthony and Sensei Craig in their assistance with the grading, and also pass on congratulations to Sensei Craig for the high quality of Karate he is passing on to his students.

Shihan Brian Anyos