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Griffith Shukan News
Thursday,5th February 2009
CONTENTS:
1. Nathan Dojo Adult Gradings
2. Nathan Dojo Aikikids Gradings
3. New Wednesday Class At Everton Hills Dojo
1. Nathan Dojo Adult Gradings
Once again grading day came around quickly. Seventeen people graded last Saturday and as usual it was great to watch. The grading process is conducted in rank order starting with the white belt gradings and finishing with the black belt dan gradings. It is a wonderful spectacle and a valuable benchmark for individual progress. Nerves usually play a part, more for some than others, but the aim is the show what you know under a little bit of pressure. Then when the pressure is off everyone gets together over lunch to congratulate each other and recap the highlights.
Vlad, Karen, Slav and Natalie were first onto the mat. After a slightly nervous start they all ably demonstrated their techniques at Kotai level but were a little challenged under movement at Juntai level. One of the advantages of a grading day is that everyone can see their next grading demonstrated immediately after their own. Look no further than the 5th kyu grading that followed to gain a good understanding of the requirements of Juntai level movement.
Then came the yellow belt demonstrations and all were very good. I saw Ken Wildbur in the change room before the grading and it was obvious he came ready to play and it showed. Good work Ken! Kumar will remember Mike’s grading for a while after being thrown to the mat like a rag doll for the longest five minutes of his life. Kristie, Daniel and Sylvie gave us wonderful demonstrations. If they were nervous they didn’t show it and their techniques were demonstrated very well. I am not sure that I have seen anyone so excited and so looking forward to a grading as Daniel Lloyd. Undoubtedly, he will now be counting down the days until his orange belt grading. Kristie’s Hawaiian preparation and tapering program seems to have worked well. I wonder where she will go to train for her next grading.
Well done to Jason and Fleur who did really well in their orange belt demonstrations. I did think that Jason could have put Nikkyo on Eric a lot harder than he did. Jason you are far too nice! On the other hand, our new Sankyo Queen, Fleur had no such reluctance to wristlocks. She had Janet constantly on her tip toes. What is it about girls and wrist locks? They take to them like ducks to water. Speaking of ‘throw-toy’ Janet, she got a fair workout as Uke this time as she had just finished being thrown about by Kristie when she had to face off against Fleur. So you thought the weekends were for relaxation?
Then came the second kyu brown belt gradings. Sheree and Craig were simply wonderful! They both gave excellent open hand performances and very good weapon katas. It was fascinating to watch the contrast in dynamics side by side – laid back Craig with his big energy, and Sheree with her free flowing and very deliberate style – a picture of relaxed concentration. Congratulations to both of you on a fantastic job and I am pleased to say that Val (Aran’s Nan) gave Sheree the big thumbs up. With that kind of endorsement there would undoubtedly have been a roast dinner served up sometime over the weekend!
Congratulations to Shirin on a sensational 1st kyu grading. She came out of her corner firing and meant business from the very first moment Ben Hamley grabbed her left wrist for Katatedori. She went straight for his centre and from then on, Ben spent most of the next minute kissing the mat. She was merciless with the guys as Chris also found out during Tanto tori. Our Chris is noted for attacking hard and fast but it made no difference. He was thrown all over the mat just as fast. Great job with your weapons Shirin! We so look forward to your Shodan grading.
What a treat it was to experience three dan gradings on the same day. It is testament to the size and popularity of Griffith Aikido and the wide range of tuition provided under the expert guidance of our Head Instructor, Danny James Sensei.
Chris and Rico bowed in for their Shodan grading. Rico had already achieved a high level of Aikido in another style in his home country Germany and has been training with us for a year or so. Chris Cobban however is 100% home grown. We have watched Chris grow from teen to man over the last four years and it was simply wonderful to watch him tear up the mat for 20 minutes or so. Both Chris and Rico gave wonderful displays of Aikido. Chris’s expansive weapon katas were mesmerising and Rico’s achievement of learning our katas (and how to count in Japanese) in a few short months and to give a really good demonstration without missing a beat was very impressive. I think Chris must have been back in feudal Japan as he finished his Bokken tori with emphasis when he drove the bokken into the mat right beside Gabby. I guess he was making a point but I’m not sure that I have seen Gabby so wide eyed in a while.
The day’s finale was Paul’s Nidan grading. As Paul bowed in, no less than ten ukes lined up behind him, such was the enthusiasm to join in his taninzugake demonstration. It was pretty to watch and quality throughout! Paul looked completely relaxed and was in total control as he served up a smorgasbord of smooth, free flowing yet decisive Aikido. I am not sure what Paul did to Ben Tan during shomenuchi but he put him on the mat in such a spin that Ben resembled a black and white break-dancer. Or maybe it was a new move that Ben learnt the night before out clubbing. It is at Nidan level where we get to see Jo tori and Jo nage demonstrations and Paul treated us to some excellent Jo work. Finally, Ben, Aran, Dan and Gabby lined up as ukes for Yoningake. It was a wonderful display of movement, control and flying ukes but it all ended too quickly. Congratulations Paul! What more can I say? You have set the bar extremely high for those who will do this same grading over the next year or two (Ahem!).
Congratulations once again to everyone who graded. There were many people wearing big smiles and shiny new belts on Tuesday night, practicing hard for the next grading on the last Saturday of May.
Gary
2. Nathan Dojo Aikikids Gradings
The aikikids grading was once again held on Saturday before the kyu gradings. The younger children started first, of course. We had the opportunity to watch some yellow and orange tip gradings. Chris and Rod helped out when some of the younger children seemed nervous. It is important to offer children the opportunity to show what they can do in an environment which does challenge them. At the same time, the work they do in the lead up to grading, and the attitude they display is probably more important than whether they remember techniques on the day. As previously, I was very impressed with the efforts of those who graded as well as the patience of the children waiting and watching at the edge of the mat. They sat quietly, partnered those grading when requested, and overall did a great job of supporting their classmates. Well done, nippers.
The older kids and teens graded in the next class. Again, the gradings were appreciated by everyone. Terence Lin and Matthias Hoffman graded to green tip, followed by Jarod Lyons grading to blue tip. All performed very well. Jonathon Mitchell (yes, he is related) graded to Junior Black Belt. His technique was very sound, although he is so tall now that he towers over almost all the other kids, so had to adjust quite a lot, which he did very well. Jonathon did some really nice weapons katas, and Rod and Chris were the adult ukes on the end of Jonathon’s futarigake (2 person attack), and reported back that they were thrown around very compellingly. Chris Cobban is Jonathon’s instructor. Congratulations Chris on another strong aikiteens grading.
We always follow a gradings Saturday with a games Saturday. It is a reward for the kids, as well as being important to their aikido. This coming Saturday, the kids will join in a whole session of aikido games. Aikido games always have a strong purpose, and every game develops one or more aspects of aikido in a fun and active way. Let me know if you want to come along and join in the fun.
Steve Mitchell
3. New Wednesday Class At Everton Hills Dojo
Rod Sensei would like to announce that there will be a new class on offer at the Everton hills dojo at Everton Hills PCYC on Wednesdays 6.30 to 8.30 pm starting Wednesday 11th March 2009. All Aikidoka of all levels are welcome.
Griffith Aikido Newsletter Editor
Shirin Mohebbi
Email: shirin(AT)internode.on.net
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