August 2008 Black Belt and SEQ Training Camp & Grading

Saturday the 23rd August saw our Qld members travel 2hrs from South East Queensland, 3 hours from Murgon and 6 hours from Rockhampton in Central Queensland to converge on Bribie Island, the stomping ground of our Qld Chief Instructor Shihan Jim Griffin. While Renshi Des Paroz and Senpai Adrian from the Kengokai Dojo in Sydney were able to grace our shores, unfortunately the rest of our NSW family of Shihan Max Estens and company were unable to attend as were our extended Shorinjiryu family in Cairns (Tashi Peter), Melbourne (Sensei Marnie) and in Tasmania (Sensei Barry), but we know they were there in spirit.

As with previous years, the black/brown belt training day was held to coincide with the anniversary of the death of our founder, Kori Hisataka, Shinan. This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of his passing and our training was fittingly by the waters edge with the sun in full blossom and a brisk fresh breeze blowing into our faces.

The early morning saw us kick off with individual warm ups and then the rest of the morning session was focused on an in-depth session on Sanchin no kata led by Renshi Des and guided by Shihan Jim. This session included a history lesson from Renshi Des, more explanation about the kata of Sanchin and various demonstrations of bunkai for the kata.

The next training session was then on Sankakutobi Kumite led by Shihan Jim and Renshi Des. This was a fantastic lesson and thoroughly enjoyed by all. While there were a few sore muscles, there were still smiles of appreciation and enjoyment in being introduced to the Sankakutobi movements of Sankakutobi kumite.

We then focused our attention on a spirited session of Kudaka Sai Kata or as we know it, Nijushiho no sai no kata which continued on for the rest of the afternoon. During the course of the day, we were treated to the various kata, kumite and bukiho demonstrations from Senpai John who was grading for his shodan-ho and Nidan Mark Slingo who was doing his pre-grading demonstration for his San Dan. After a full on six (6) hour training session, we paid our respects to Shinan with a formal bow and headed off to freshen up for our annual Black Belt dinner.

Sunday morning commenced our SEQ training and grading day involving the other mudansha members as well as those that trained on Saturday. Senpai John took us for an excellent warm up with Sensei Christine following up with a session on kihon waza. Such was the interest in the Sankakutobi kumite from Saturday, this was extended into our training session on Sunday and again, thoroughly enjoyed by all. Further training with revision sessions for those grading, filled the rest of the training until it was time to conduct the grading.

Four mudansha were put through their paces with all suceeding. Senpai John finished his long and arduous grading session which started on the Saturday culminating in a physical and vigourous shiai session to see him awarded shodan-ho. Nidan Mark Slingo was also put through his paces demonstrating his grading requirement to Sandan.

Congratulations goes to all and keep watching for the photos to be posted.