Black Belt Gradings, One Year to the Next

​The black belt grading in September 2013 was a special moment in my karate journey as I successfully passed to Sandan under the watchful eye of Sensei George Andrews.  Alongside me that weekend was three of my students who were grading to 1st kyu.  A lot has happened over the past year, including the move of the Honbu dojo to new premises in Peckham to make way for the demolition of the Institute of Traditional Karate-Do in the Heygate Estate.

During the past 12 months the three students increased their efforts, making the extra commitment to train with Sensei George as often as possible at the monthly weekend courses, in addition to their regular classes in Cambridge.  The grading weekend this September was another special moment as Steve Morrell, Paul Middleton and Tony Swanser successfully graded to Shodan, making them the first black belt students of the Cambridge dojo.

Of course, I can’t write an article about achievements of the Cambridge dojo without mentioning the Gasshuku in Koh Samui in March earlier this year at which Louise passed her Sandan test under some very tough conditions.

Many congratulations also to Tony Saunders, Finn Eiles and Jabrane Iguider who graded to Shodan and Ben Lacey and Andy Watson for grading to Sandan.

Martin Stockley