Grading at Zanshin Karate-Do, Kinnegad

On Saturday, 31st March 2012, a contingent of junior and senior members from Zanshin Karate Club graded in their dojo in the Kinnegad GAA Centre. After a brisk warm-up and stretch, led by Zanshin Sempai Ollie Henchy, the juniors began their grading. They were assessed on bag and pad work, basics, kata, kata bunkai, pre-arranged sparring and free sparring. Emma Crowe, Ronan Moran, Conor Darcy and Liam Ó Fearghail were promoted to orange belt, Emily Moran, Grace Moran, Alannah Casey, Chloe Coyne, Emmanuel Etcheri, Seán Govan and Cormac Ó Fearghail advanced to yellow belt and Louise Darcy and Muireann Ní Fhearghail achieved green belt. Here are some photos!

At 3.30, the senior grading started. This was a physically and mentally demanding affair, comprising fitness and conditioning, basics, kata, kata applications and lots of sparring! At the end Conor Crowe and Peter Govan advanced to yellow belt, John Whelehan was awarded green belt and Matthew and Aaron Darcy were promoted to blue belt. Here are some photos:

Congratulations to all our members - we were very proud of the spirit and good technique shown on the day. The grading panel comprised Zanshin instructors Senseis Gerard Walsh, Liam Darcy and Proinsias Ó Fearghail along with guest instructor Guro Donal Connaughton from Midlands FMA Club. Many thanks are due to Zanshin assistant instructor Ollie Henchy for his work with seniors and juniors alike. It was a great day for our club. Here is the grading panel:

See you all on Monday for training! Well done again!