Kyu Gradings – March 2023

Group photo of Intermediate grades March 2023 grading

    Over the weekends of the 11th and 18th March 2023 Birmingham & Weoley Castle Shotokan Karate along with our sister club Kenshin Shotokan Karate Club in Stetchford held the Kyu Grading examinations for March 2023. As usual we had students of all ages, grades and abilities testing themselves to continue their karate journey and hopefully advance in grade. We were very pleased with the effort everybody put in to give their best in what any of us who have graded know is a very stressful situation. So as instructors we would like to say well done to everybody who took their grading and congratulations to all those who passed.… Read the rest

    Kyu & Dan Gradings November 2022

    BWCSK / Kenskin SKC Group Photo

    As we reach the end of another year it has again come time for the final set of Kyu & Dan Gradings at Bornville College. This year the previous September and December gradings were combined into a single grading in November 2022 to allow more time after the summer holidays for students to prepare and cater for grading examiners availability. The gradings in November 2022 were again run over two consecutive Saturdays with the first week for red belts and below and the second for yellow belt and above. For these gradings we were joined by our sister club Kenshin Shotokan Karate Club based in Stechford (formerly headed by the late Sensei Franklyn Doras 6th Dan who was another former student our late sensei, Shihan Cummins).… Read the rest

    Sensei Susan Hession promoted to 5th Dan!

    Sensei Hession in kamae

    We are extremely pleased to announce that Sensei Susan Hession, Chief Instructor of Birmingham & Weoley Castle Shotokan Karate club has been promoted by the NAKMAS National Management Committee on the 8th May 2022 to the rank of Godan (5th Dan) following a formal audit by a certified BSI Lead Auditor and the completion of training course requirements.

    Sensei Hession works tirelessly both in and outside the dojo to ensure the club runs smoothly and all students get the training and equipment they need. Most students will be unaware of just how much time she dedicates to the club or those extra little touches she adds such as framing all dan grade certificates that help make BWCSK what it is.… Read the rest

    Kyu & Dan Gradings: March 2022

    Kyu & Dan Gradings: March 2022

    We held our first post covid restrictions Kyu and Dan gradings this month which is the start of a more normal grading cycle going forward. The grading day itself was on Saturday 19th March 2022 at the Longbridge dojo . In a return to the more normal schedule we were able to have a training session running along with the gradings. However, even we were slightly surprised when we saw everyone lined up from one end of the hall to the other.

    The proceedings started with the presentation of Dan grade certificates for those who passed in the December grading.… Read the rest

    Kyu & Dan Gradings – December 2021: Well done everyone!

    Girls kicking

    Over the course of the month we conducted the December 2021 grading examinations for Kyu and Dan grades. Firstly we would like to thank everyone for their support for these as we had to change the initially planned date due to one of the venues deciding to close for the Christmas break earlier than initially expected. This meant we had to conduct the examinations when people were available on various training nights.

    As instructors we were very pleased with the standard shown and the effort and dedication you all put in preparing for and taking your gradings. We would like to congratulate each and every one of you who took a grading this month.… Read the rest

    September 2021 Kyu Gradings.

    September 2021 Kyu Gradings.

    Well done to everyone who took their grading on the 25th September and to those who came to train whilst the gradings were happening. People always talk about taking their black belt gradings as being difficult but many forget those first few kyu gradings are terrifying in their own right as it is all very new and you haven’t yet learnt what to expect. We were very pleased with the standard shown and the amount of effort everyone has put in to reach this point. A special mention for Kayleigh Emmison who graded to 7th kyu.

    Congratulations to all again.… Read the rest

    March 2020 Kyu Gradings

    March 2020 Kyu Gradings

    Well done to everyone who took their gradings on Wednesday or Saturday. You all did very well and Sensei Sue, Sensei Richard and all the instructors were very pleased with the effort, standard and commitment shown.

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    Related posts:

    1. Kyu Gradings and End of Year Awards December 2018 We had the final kyu gradings of the year at...
    2. Special congratulation to our newest black belts! Special congratulations to our newest yudansha. This evening as a...
    3. Special Congratulations passing your Dan gradings! Special congratulations to our newest shodan (1st dan) and...
    4. Kyu Gradings September 2019 On Wednesday 18th September 2019 the BWCSK September gradings were...
    … Read the rest

    Kyu Gradings September 2019

    Kyu Gradings September 2019

    On Wednesday 18th September 2019 the BWCSK September gradings were held at the Longbridge dojo with Senseis Sue Hession 4th dan, Richard Amuzu 4th dan, Faye Tonkinson 2nd dan in attendance on the panel with a guest appearance by Sensei Austin Birks 5th dan.

    Everyone did very well and we were very pleased with the standard on display.  A special mention for our two senior white belts who double graded to red belt.

    Related posts:

    1. Kyu Gradings and End of Year Awards December 2018 We had the final kyu gradings of the year at...
    2. Special congratulation to our newest black belts!
    … Read the rest

    Special congratulation to our newest black belts!

    Special congratulations to our newest yudansha. This evening as a culmination of years of dedication and hard work Elijah Farrel-Reid, Libby Conway, Natalia Bak and Rouédel Farrel-Reid passed their shodan (1st Dan) black belt grading. They all exhibited a very high standard whilst taking what is always a challenging and grueling examination.

    We know how hard you have all worked to achieve this grade and on behalf of everyone at BWCSK and from Sensei Sue and Sensei Richard we would like to say very well done to you all.

    We would also like to congratulate everyone who passed their kyu gradings this evening.… Read the rest

    Well done Shania Hopkins on Well done Shania Hopkins on achieving 4th Kyu

    Well done Shania Hopkins on Well done Shania Hopkins on achieving 4th Kyu

    Great session tonight at Longbridge Methodist Church, with Shaniah Hopkins earning her 4th kyu due to her exceeding dedication which has saw her more than surpass the requirements for the grade and a merit certificate for attending 32 training sessions in January applying herself dilligently in all

    .
    The main topic covered in tonight’s training was elbow strikes (Empi Uchi)
    upwards strike (Age Empi), downwards strike (Otoshi Empi), Side strike (Yoko Empi), backwards strike (Ushiro Empi), roundhouse strike (Mawashi Empi). These were practised as a kata and with partner work to practice them from both karate attacks and swing punches and grabs.… Read the rest