We are pleased to announce that Lily Girault Sensei has passed her Kata retake to complete her Sandan grading and Daniel Price retook his Kumite section to pass his Shodan grading at the Student of the Year awards 2022. We are so pleased and proud of both of them for shaking off the disappointment from last month and coming back much stronger the second time around.

Daniel Price was asked to retake his Kumite section after successfully passing his Kihon and Kata sections with very respectable marks. Daniel has worked hard in classes over the last few weeks to improve his sparring and reach the required standard. Daniel was asked to perform a couple of rounds of jiyu kumite, first with a 1st kyu and then an experienced black belt. His movement was better, he was evading sideways (tai sabaki) and has worked on his defence. He had a well positioned guard and was able to land a couple of counter attacks. He was more positive going forward and has learned what techniques work for him. Daniel is always a polite and hard working young man who fulfills his potential. He is committed to the classes he attends and has a great attitude. I am sure he will make further progress because he enjoys his training and has the full support of his parents. Congratulations for reaching Shodan Daniel and remaining resolute and determined. It takes great character to bounce back from disappointment and you did it brilliantly.

Lily Sensei who teaches alongside Lee Sensei at the Bolton Dojo passed her Kumite section at our November Dan Grading with flying colours. Lily Sensei will be the first to admit that the Kata section didn’t quite go as planned and sometimes you just have an off day. This can and does happen to best of us no matter how hard you work to prepare. We know she has excellent Katas and just needed another opportunity to prove herself. She was given the opportunity at the start of the Student of the Year awards and made no mistakes the second time round. Lily Sensei was asked by the panel to perform Kata Jion which was focused and sharp. Her stances were excellent and its was very well timed. It was explosive where it needed to be but also flowed nicely. Her Bassai Dai was really strong and suited her Karate perfectly. Lily Sensei is a powerhouse and Bassai Dai was a great Kata for her to demonstrate this. We are so pleased for you Lily Sensei, you are an outstanding Karateka and a strong female role model for all our other ladies and our young girls. You have spent many years diligently studying karate and have reached such a high level in both karate and Judo is a testament to what an extraordinarily focused and talented person you are. You are certainly one we all know not to mess with in or out of the dojo. I love this photo of Team Girault, both Lola and Kyle look so proud of their Mum. What an amazingly talented family.