SENIOR INSTRUCTOR GRADING

                                                 

At the end of the first day of the SKCE first anniversary course, some of our most senior instructors were taking 4th, 5th, and 6th Dan gradings under Namiki Sensei and I (as SKCE general secretary) was permitted to watch.

They were thoroughly tested!

It was gratifying to note that our senior instructors too get nervous before and during grading.

Those going for 4th Dan were first of all examined on kihon and kata chosen by Namiki Sensei.  Those going for 5th Dan were given a kihon sequence of 10 moves to run through twice and then perform and then they each had to display their favourite kata.  They were rigorously questioned on specific aspects of kihon in their capacity as instructors and Namiki Sensei was particularly tenacious if he thought their answers were not full enough, but they all kept going under fire.  The kumite section was particularly arduous and instead of the one or two pairings one might have expected (or hoped for!), all going for 4th and 5th  Dan had to take turns to fight each other, which was an extreme test of their physical fitness and kumite abilities.  However, it was obvious Namiki Sensei was very appreciative of their kumite skills and perhaps even more importantly, their spirit.

Our most senior instructors going for 6th Dan were examined at length on their physical and technical skills and also their knowledge of karate which to me, was inspiring.  Namiki Sensei was very persistent with each point he raised probing each instructor until he was satisfied. 

I have to say it was a privilege to watch and listen to our senior instructors in action and their pass awards, to a man, were most thoroughly deserved.

4TH DAN

Gerry Grey

Dyu Nguyen

George Jeremiah

Oluseye Jegede

Glen Allcoat

5TH DAN

Graham Mercer

Darren Welsh

Will Windell

6TH DAN

Eric Pich

Mark Tetsola

Peter Welsh