Grading - August 2025

I forgot to post a out this, but our club held its 2nd grading this year in August. Amazingly we doubled the number of students taking part with three students going for 8th Kyu and 3 going for 7th Kyu. I think I was more nervous than the students as there was so much to organise. Luckily I had bout the belts well in advance as the children were all belting up earlier than the adults.

With only very minor mistakes but with fantastic spirit, all the students passed. These first few gradings are pretty straight forward and you’d have to be very nervous not to pass. With all the effort the studetns put in, I was not surprised how well they all did. I really makes me feel like I am building something worth while when I have so many wonderful people coming to train and dedicate themselves to the club. All the colored belts are also bringing life to the dojo and I can easily tell new people who to train with - be it with a higher grade or with someone their own level. I can also challenge the colored belts more during basic skills and the warm-up.

Well, the pressure is now on me as it won’t be long and they will have reached the limits of where I can test them to. I can only text students until 4th Kyu, I need to become 2nd Dan to grade up until 1st Kyu. So I have organised some extra training with Tad Sensei when I go back to the UK this Chraistmas.