Summer Grading
What a fantastic display of karate skill, power and determination was shown this June at our Summer grading ceremony.
Every year choosing the recipients of our grading trophies becomes more and more difficult because every year the standard gets higher. This year was exceptional with the club at its zenith.
I would be proud if the England kumite coach, the England kata coach or the England anything coach had been present to witness the quality of our kids.
The low grades were good (especially the 8th kyu section) but the 5th kyu onwards (high grade section ) were outstanding. There is a gulf in the skill level between a normal karate student and one of our competition squad members. It is the squad members who are jaw-droppingly good but even our average students surpass that of most other clubs.
The fitness level of the kids was stretched to the limit in the higher grades but luckily most train often enough to handle this pressure.
In our gradings nowadays every grade 8th kyu plus is expected to spar (Jiyu Kumite). Most clubs and associations do not start sparring in gradings till 5th or 4th kyu by which time they may have been doing karate for up to two years. All of our kids are expected to fight for their belts.
We are not only a national kata winning club but also a national kumite winning fighting club.
Dokan are true all rounders winning and competing at the top end of all aspects of karate. And today the standard of sparring was astonishing.
Well done everyone. Parents be proud, be very proud.
