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Presentation to Sensei Thompson. Just before the testing got underway Steve presented sensei Thompson with a certificate of appreciation signed by all the club members for all his efforts in getting a building secured so that we now have a dojo that is a pleasure to train in.
Steve spent a couple of weeks creeping around the dojo with a folder containing the certificate getting people to sign it and trying not to look too suspicious in the process. Some people might say that was harder than keeping the certificate a secret!
After that we got down to the real reason we were all there - belt tests, and we had a glorious day for them too. Weather in the low 80's and now we have nice big windows, we get loads of natural light too. |
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Nice test for the new grades coming up from Tiny Tigers and the new white belt entrants. All did very well on the test, pushing themselves to be as good as they can in front of what turned out to be a sizeable crowd of fairly nervous parents.
Katie Clarizio, Zach Puckett and Ryan Barnes also received trophies for Best Student. We don't normally give out two senior trophies but we really couldn't separate Katie and Ryan for all the hard work they've put in over the last few months since the last test for their 2nd Kyu's.
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Zach Puckett received his trophy for the attitude and determination he has shown since joining the club three months ago. While we were getting the club ready to move into he regularly poked his head round the door asking if he could do anything to help. A trophy well deserved.
His dad was the most surprised when he turned over an armfull of stuff to be carried home. He received a medal for completing his first test, a trophy for Best Student and he also got the Student of the Month Cup and certificate too. I asked his dad about it afterwards and he told me "I had no idea he was getting all this, I wish I had brought my video camera with me".
After all the hub-bub and hoopla of the lower grades it was time for the purple belts to test for their brown/white stripes and Sean Sosman to test for his American flag/2nd kyu, and Katie Clarizio and Ryan Barnes to test for 1st kyu.
This was going to be a different kettle of fish than the last one. Basics followed by kata, then some more basics and more kata. Bunkai for selected katas, kumite with each other and also with some of the higher grade brown and black belts provided by Alex Thompson and Cody Grant.
Katie Clarizio and Ryan Barnes tests were closed and only immediate family were allowed to watch the proceedings. Katie had been working on her kata in the club during the week and this showed it the renewed spirit. Ryan suffered a few injuries and a couple of minor setbacks and will be re-testing for his first kyu in a couple of weeks. |
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