Sunday 14th July was a big day for Zanshin Karate-Do Midlands as we put forward our first candidates for Shodan (First Degree Black Belt). Ollie Henchy and Fergus Fenlon have been with us right from the start! They trained with us on our first night as a club in November 2008 and have stuck with us through thick and thin. They are both strong, committed martial artists, and their time had come!
The grading panel comprised all five Zanshin instructors: Senseis Gerard Walsh, Liam Darcy, Keith Walsh, Proinsias Ó Fearghail and Paul Thackaberry, with external examiners Sensei Gerry McCarthy, 4th Dan, and Shihan Brett Halliday, 6th Dan from the Renshukan Shihankai. The grading lasted for an hour and 30 minutes in a very warm hall! The lads began by demonstrating their generation of power on pads and bags, then launched into basics, kata, kata applications and of course, lots of sparring! They had to demonstrate their knowledge of both close-quarter and traditional Shotokan kumite. At the end of the grading, following a brief meeting of the panel, Shihan Brett announced that Ollie and Fergus had passed. He gave them valuable advice about how to develop their techniques as their training continued. We're VERY proud of our two new black belts! Well done to Ollie and Fergus! Here are some moments from the grading...
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