April 2012 Yudansha Promotions
At the National Training Camp on the weekend of 20–22 April, a number of Yudansha and Kodansha tests and presentations were conducted in front of a panel consisting of Hanshi Myron Lubitsch (President of the International Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai, and Shorinjiryu Koshinkai advisory council member), Shihan Jim Griffin (Joint Chief Instructor, Shorinjiryu Koshinkai), Shihan Jeffrey Henderson (Chief Instructor, International Budo Institute) and Shihan Troy Lester (Shorinjiryu Kenryukan).
As a result, the following promotions were confirmed:
- Max Estens, 7th Dan Shihan
- Des Paroz, 6th Dan Shihan
- Lesley Griffin, 6th Dan Shihan
- Graeme Bowden, 5th Dan Renshi
- Marnie Roberts, 4th Dan Tasshi
- Amanda Bugden, 3rd Dan
- Adrian Cepak, 2nd Dan
In addition, four people tested for Shodan Ho, and were presented with their probational black belts, as follows:
- Clinton Andrews
- Dee Foster
- Chrissy Hanley
- Ben Oliphant
These four individuals will continue to consolidate and prepare for their promotion to Shodan in 12 months time.
Following the presentations of the above, Hanshi Lubitsch made the surprise announcement granting the title Kyoshi to Shihan Jim Griffin.