Black Belt Grading Results

A Black Belt grading was held at Elton High School on Friday 22nd October for those retaking sections and Courteney Alty who was unfortunately unable to attend in September. It is crushingly disappointing to be to be asked to come back and retake part of a grading. But never before have we seen all of the students come back – so quickly, so strong, so determined and so willing to work hard and do whatever it took to finish the job.

It has been just over 6 weeks since the grading and all 5 have taken onboard the feedback. They’ve turned up at every class despite the disappointment and probably felt very disheartened. They’ve sat there and clapped the others who were so happy to have passed and are now training (stress free) in their black belts. All the while – patiently waiting for their next opportunity to come. They’ve made the changes they needed to, worked on everything we asked them to and overcome the doubts in their own mind.

This is the strength of character we are looking for. All five have been a pleasure to work with leading up to both gradings. I am sure the relief they will feel now it is over is enormous.  Congratulations to each and every one of the following students who have now successfully passed their Shodan:

Sarah Evans – Shodan

Sarah has always been a fantastic student and so pleasant to work with. You can tell how much she loves karate, and everything about it. The discipline, the mental and physical challenge, she is so focused and enthusiastic. You won’t find many more dedicated than Sarah, karate is such a big part of the Team Evans routine – they train several times a week – every week. It is also worth a mention that she is our skipping queen. Part-human, part-kangaroo! We were all gutted for her at the first grading, she got a tough opponent in Jo and then when things start to not go your way, and then tiredness starts creeping in, it’s hard to recover. Onward and upward though for Sarah who was willing to fight anyone in the classes to get better and improve her kumite. Everything we asked her to work on, she did. Her movement was much better and she was a lot more confident when coming forward. She also landed some good counter punches. We are so pleased for you Sarah; you were fab and thoroughly deserve your Black Belt! Well, done!

Aasam Raja – Shodan

Aasam is extremely talented and naturally gifted at karate. Such a lovely young man, always a pleasure to be around and a pleasure to teach. He’s had such a long journey but has never become frustrated or pushed to be graded. He has just got on with it, quietly working away and improving all the time. He has shot up in height in the last 12 months and this can make it hard if stances aren’t adapted etc. After the height then comes the power and Aasam will certainly become a force to be reckoned with in the future. I really enjoyed his karate and his kumite in the first grading and he has worked so hard on his katas over the last 6 weeks. He has improved enormously, but still lacks a little confidence. This is understandable after the disappointment last time around. He has shown us he is a very determined person and does have what it takes to be a black belt. Huge congratulations Aasam, we are delighted that you have got there and can relax a bit now (unless you are sparring with Zidane)!

Aadam Raja – Shodan

What a difference just a few weeks makes. I have never seen Aadam perform with such confidence and determination as he did on Friday. He is such a lovely lad and is absolutely brilliant at kumite. Really talented and this is where he comes alive! His Katas however did need a bit of work and he knew this. It can be frustrating to have to practise over and over the parts of karate that you don’t enjoy the most but Aadam did it and never once complained. The difference in his kata was like night and day. It was sharp and dynamic where it needed to be. He has also learned to relax. This helped him move more quickly because it is hard to move sharp when you are tense. Overall, he showed remarkable improvement and we were so pleased that he came back, better than ever. Congratulations Aadam, we are really proud of you!

Mark Jepson – Shodan

I really felt for Mark at the grading, it is awful when anyone is disappointed but you could really tell that this meant the world to both Isaac and Mark. They were crushed. The way that he has come back and proved himself class after class is a testament to his determination to get this done. Marks Black belt has been hard earned and well deserved. Even on Friday, the odds looked stacked against them with Isaac stuck on a train in Wales and Mark driving hours and hours to get him and then fighting the traffic to get over to Bury in time. But they made it and Mark was up for it no matter what! He had to spar two quick young Nidans and did really well. Instead of charging in, he was patient, waited for his opportunities and fought with admirable spirit right to the end. He would have sparred his way through the whole class if we had asked him to. This is what black belt is all about! Congratulations Mark, you did it and what is even better is that you did it with Isaac! Great memories made together.

Isaac Jepson – Shodan

Isaac has always been a very promising student. I remember seeing him at one of his early gradings and thinking; this lad has it all, power, focus, determination, great attitude – the whole package. I really did feel he was very unlucky not to have passed the first time around. After a hellish day stuck on the train coming back from Uni, he only just made it and got stuck straight into the class and then the grading. He was much improved. He was more confident coming forward, putting in some nice combinations and his movement was class. He sparred a couple of older and more experienced students who pushed him hard, not once did he look out of place. He took a couple of good techniques really well and never looked like he was slowing down or even close to giving up. His determination to succeed was obvious to all. I really do feel there is more to come from Isaac and that he is only just beginning to fulfil his potential. I hope that he continues his karate journey as he has everything it takes to get to the top! Well, done Isaac. That Black Belt is very well deserved.

Courteney Alty – Nidan

Courteney sadly could not make the last grading due to prior commitments so this was her first attempt at her Nidan. She has prepared herself meticulously well for this grading. She has trained constantly since grading to black belt. She does karate several times a week even throughout lockdown and on zoom. Her presence is consistent and she always works hard. She decided she wants to be fitter, faster and stronger and she was. Courteney has taken no shortcuts to success and done everything the right way.

I have always liked Courteney, she is very sweet, kind and endearing. Not qualities you necessarily look for in a black belt but important to me all the same. She is a very popular and likeable member of the club. I have always respected Courteney’s karate and she’s been fantastic to work with over the years. Her standard has always been very high, but there has always been a little something missing and I could never quite put my finger on what it was. Then on Friday night it just whacked me in the face like a gyakuzuki! She had found her CONFIDENCE. That was it. She was absolutely flying on Friday and smashing everything she did.

She looked so confident and so sure that she was going to be successful. She was sharp and explosive, her stances were excellent and she had the power in her legs to maintain this throughout the Kihon, Kata and Kumite sections. I found myself going from trying to find fault and give feedback; to just putting down the pen and enjoying her karate. She was THAT GOOD. Keep this up, you deserved your Nidan 100% and could go on to achieve anything you ever want to. You missus – are a STAR!

Thank you so much to everyone who played their part in helping these students get to where they wanted to be. The instructors who have taught them, the fellow students and assistants who have worked with them. The parents and supporters who picked up the pieces when they left bitterly disappointed last time around.  You have all contributed to their success and deserve recognition. Without you, nothing is possible.

Thanks also to the grading panel members Paul Sensei, Mike Sensei, Rob Sensei and Leesa Sensei who shared their valuable feedback and expertise. When it goes well, we all feel happy; when it doesn’t it feels horrible, but as these students have proved, they always come back stronger so it’s the right thing to do!