My First Grading 15th December 2006
I have been training hard at the club I joined a little over three months ago and I haven’t missed many training sessions so I was very keen to get my orange belt.
A few weeks before the actual grading we did a mock grading. This was both exiting and nerve-racking as I did not know what to expect. Some of the senior members of the club told me what to expect but until you have done it, it’s hard to understand what to do. The mock went well and Sensei picked up on some things I should concentrate on when I practice, he said my heel was lifting during Kihon Kata and that my Kiai was not strong enough. Kiai can be an embarrassing thing. All the other white belts are all under the age of 10 and you’re the only adult. My kiai is ever so slightly louder than the rest and this kind of makes you self conscious but once you overcome this and learn to focus Kiai is not a problem. The heel problem might take a little longer to get rid of but with hard work and dedication I’m sure I will.
The day had arrived and was I nervous. Oh yes I was very nervous. I arrived at class as normal and put my angry white pyjamas on and did some soft stretching as normal. The grading examiner was Bob Poynton 7th Dan, a very well respected Sensei. He gave us a training session first which was very interesting as we learnt some new combinations. Sensei Poynton did not expect us to get it right all the time but he expected 100% effort.
The time had arrived! Sensei asked us who was grading and told us to sit around the edge of the dojo. He asked the three orange belts to go first.
Now it was our turn. We all stood in a line when our name was called out and the nerves just went away. We went though our Kihon, Age Uke, Soto Uke, Uchi Uki, Oi Zuki Jodan and Chudan, and Mae Geri.
I was a little bit short in my stance I thought. I put this down to being a little tense.
Gohon Kumite was next. This bit I was not too keen on as it felt rushed and clumsy every time I did it and this time was no exception. I think this was down to our stride patterns and reactions were different but we got through it without too many problems. Now it was time for my favourite bit Kihon Kata. This went well but my heel was still a problem.
There, all done! Sensei Poynton gathered us all around to tell us how we did.
"You have all passed". Except me and two other white belts! Sensei Poynton said we had done so well he was awarding us with our 8th kyu! Everyone congratulated us. I was so pleased for them and myself, I could not have wished for a better first grading. The experience is one I will never forget.
Phil Price
