MineMe performing basics in 4th kyu grading

We were back to Vale Farm Sports Centre on Friday 12th December for our 4th kyu grading (purple & white belt) under the guidance of Sensei Ohta and Sensei Hirayama. This would hopefully be our last grading at Vale Farm as gradings for 3rd kyu to 1st kyu are held separately at Willesden Sports Centre.

In typical fashion we arrived early so we sat and watched some of the red belts grading to get a feel for what each Sensei was looking for based on the comments that they were passing on. Those going through their basics were being told to hold the proper stance but otherwise everyone was doing well. Previously we would get in practice before our grading but from experience we know that the gradings run late so we tend to end up wearing ourselves out so we spent most of our time watching the other gradings or catching up with other Kilburn students who we only get to see at each grading.

Sensei Natalie and Sensei Kirsten were dividing their time to warm-up and go through the syllabus of each grade before making sure everyone made it to the grading room on time. This time we had Sensei Kirsten and she emphasised the difference in karate expected from us compared to the lower grades. We focused on using our hips and crossing correctly for a knife hand block. We then moved onto our kata (Heian Godan) in smaller groups with emphasis on showing the correct stance and making sure the foot moves to the hand level for the crescent kick rather than dropping the hand.

4th kyu grading

The dojo was really hot by this point thanks to all the previous warm-ups and all the parents watching so I focused on my technique rather than technique plus power. I was able to sit and watch MiniMe go through the kata with his group and he was doing well so I had no worries with how he would perform during the grading. For the first time we both seemed to be comfortable with the grading process and comfortable knowing what was expected of us through basics, kata, and kumite.

We went upstairs as a group and lined up ready for the start of the grading. Normally the first 6 to grade would all be adults then each group of 6 is based on age until the youngest grade last. This occurs so that the youngest children can watch the format of each grading so they are more at ease with the whole process and what they will be asked to do each time. However, for some reason I was not included in the first batch of graders and was placed in the second line of 6 alongside the 11 year olds. Sensei Eric seemed to find this quite amusing and it did not worry me although it did mean that I stood out because I was taller than everyone else.

Our grading syllabus consisted of:

• Basics (Chudan Jun-zuki, Jodan Age-uki+Gyaku-tsuki, Chudan Soto-uke+Gyaku-tsuki, Chudan Uchi-uke+Gyaku-tsuki, Shuto-uke+Nukite, Mae-geri, Mawashi-geri, Yoko Ke-age, and Yoko Ke-komi)
• Kata (Heian Godan)
• Kihon Ippon Kumite (Jodan, Chudan, Mae-geri /left/right)

Everything was fine for me although again the room was very hot from all the activity taking place so I was soon feeling the strain as I went through basics. I had no issue with the kata and it was probably the best kata performance during a grading for me so far. The kumite was a little trickier than normal because I was facing a junior and I always tend to hold back a bit just in case they make a mistake and I end up making contact. Against another senior it’s not an issue because I figure they can take it but I do not want to hurt a kid.

Heian Godan under the watchful eye of Ohta Sensei

As usual I was able to exit the grading and make my way back round to the grading viewing via the floor below ready to watch MiniMe go through his paces. He sailed through basics and put in a good kata performance so I thought he was doing well overall. Sensei Ohta was pulling other people out to repeat parts of the kata and he was definitely looking for a higher standard as befits our grade level. I could not see any issues with kumite either so I met MiniMe downstairs ready for the results.

For me it was a straight pass and for the MiniNinja it was good basics although a slight mistake was made during kumite. I had not seen any errors from MiniMe during kumite but he was furthest from me and nearest Sensei so he must have spotted something. We both completed our grading successfully and were awarded 4th Kyu.

We will both be attending the Willsden based training on Friday 19th December with Sensei Ohta and those students 4th Kyu and above. We will not be grading that night but it does give us a great oppurtunity to watch the grading after the training session so we can watch our next syllabus and also see what Sensei is looking for.

We pass on our thanks to everyone involved with Kilburn SKC and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

The last Kilburn lessons of 2008 for all clubs is Friday 19th December 2008 and all classes re-start in 2009 from Saturday 3rd January.