Grading
February 2005

February 2005 was the month for Dominic and Natasha Watzdorf to attempt their grading to Shodan with Chikara Budo. Tracy sensei organised for the members of SA Shotokan karate and their instructor Andrew Payne Sensei to assist her with the grading criteria along with Chikara Budo's instructors Damien and Mick sensei.

The grading was conducted in two sessions over two weeks. The first week was taken up with the students demonstrating all the basics and kata in the Chikara Budo syllabus. During their kata examination, Tracy sensei asked each student a series of question, for example the origin of a kata, it's meaning and any relevant information that assured Tracy each student had a complete understanding of how and why they performed each kata. A selection of the higher kata had to be performed more than once to demonstrate strength and knowledge by the students

The following week the students grading continued through the demonstration of their kumite (fighting) skills once they were thouroughly warmed up with combinations and stretching exercises. This is when the SA Shotokan karate members joined in. Dominic and Natasha were asked to demonstrate their flexibility by sparring with new unknown partners. Their performance was outstanding. They displayed the true meaning and courage found in karate spirit. Their skill and attitude was amongst the best of the many shodan gradings the instructors present have been a witness to. All credit should be given to both Dominic and Natasha for achieving their junior Shodan grading - Congratulations.

Manuella, Sarah and Caroline also completed their gradings in the two sessions over two weeks in February. Both Caroline and Sarah displayed good concentration and answered questions about their particular kata correctly. It is always a challenge to grade to each belt level and Sarah and Caroline are some of Chikara Budo's youngest members and should be proud of the achievement in grading to green belt

Many thanks to the members of SA Shotokan karate and other senior instructors for their assistance