Grading - 4th June 2006

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2005 kicks off with a one-off special course hosted by Sensei with Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki, 8th Dan and Chief Director of Wado International Karate Federation. But 2004 was also a year of many successes for Te-Ashi-Do. Looking back it’s surprising to see just how much was done.

The year began with something that was not the usual karate training. In February Ryoshin ran an Instructors and Table Official/ Referees course. It was well attended by Te-Ashi-Do students who showed an interest in the rules and regulations of karate competition. Proving there's more to karate than just entering competitions the increased interest from students in this side of training has been reflected in the classes over the year.

March was a busy month for Te-Ashi-Do. The Ryoshin Open Invitational Competition, a Grading and the EKGB Nationals.

The Ryoshin competition at Grundy Park Leisure Centre was great because lots of Te-Ashi-Do students entered and many for the first time. The fact that the club came away with 1 bronze, 3 silvers and 1 gold made it even better. Well done to all those who entered – it takes guts to do a competition.

The following week, there was a Grading. Looking at those pictures you see people who have now moved on 1 or 2 belts and still train regularly.

Then there was the EKGB National Competition in Sheffield at which Sensei won Bronze in the Men’s Masters Kumite. It’s good to know that Sensei is also prepared to enter competitions – it’s even better knowing he won a medal.

In June, there was the first of a Brown-Black Belt Training Class (pictured right). It was a fairly large class of students, and indicated that a higher level of learning and discipline was required. All those who attended still train and some have taken Gradings since. At this class there were 2 black belts - Sempai Colin Blencoe and Larro Resta. Now there are 6 black belts. Throughout 2004 students have taken 3rd-1st kyu gradings and have stuck with it. No mean feat – sometimes you can feel like you are a brown belt forever – so respect to those who have continued with their training.

But it wasn’t all work. In July Ryoshin organised a day out to the beach – which started with training, of course! Doing throws, kicks and punches on the beach was initially awkward, but not as bad as walking into the cold sea to practice some kicks! It was a great day out and naturally ended with some fish and chips.

Squad Training sessions held at Chingford also punctuated 2004. Training with different people, different styles – you learn new techniques and can show some Wado Ryu ones. When it comes to sparring you don’t know your opponent so you have to be alert. Those who attended said this was the best part, especially when you discovered something that worked really well – until your opponent cottoned on!

In October Sensei Sugimoto did some courses for Ryoshin and was on the Grading Panel for 4 Te-Ashi-Do students who achieved their Dan Grade (pictured right l-r, Dorothy Tatapudi, Kelly Cook, Sensei Sugimoto, Alex Lawrenceson, Chris Hill). Well done to all of them.

In 2004 there were 5 Grading sessions – more than in previous years – showing that the club has not only got bigger but has also maintained students.

The year ended with the Te-Ashi-Do Christmas Dinner, which, it was unanimously agreed, was the best one to date. Thank you to Sempai Colin for organising this. We all look forward to next years. Also thank you to those to who contributed to the Christmas presents to both Sensei and Sempai Colin. Sensei received a DVD box set of both series of ‘The Water Margin’ and Sempai Colin received a watch.

Enjoy a safe and happy Christmas and best wishes for all your training in the New Year