Black belt grading tomorrow!

[Gareth123]

8 week program? Man, I so wasted my time over the last 5 years! 8 weeks, I can't believe I could've done it in 8 weeks!

Does the 8 week program include the fireball? Or is that an extra week?

[Hanshi]

I became a black belt in 1974 100 man fight good luck

[martybabe]

Black belt 1975 but I was nowt special, determination and belief grass hopper. Good luck.

[jimmy 2006]

take it easy mate, a friend of mine had his last month.
he was told to make sure that he didn't act cocky,
but make sure he also always looked alert. the last few could see he was fading and really handed it to him..... poor bugger. he still passed though.

good luck!

[Fatjim]

Good luck with the Kung pow mate.

[T.W.R]

Iggy Thump

[gwigs]

1978 for me..good luck and go hard mate.first:

[gwigs]

[Gareth123]

Well I passed. Should not have had so much to drink during the grading though. Could feel the water spashing around inside me while sparring. Its was almost my new technique, blind them with a little vomit to the face and then pick them off at will.

I held it together though and even managed to land a few good ones on my sensei without getting too badly hurt. Just got a popped knuckle, a sore knee, scrapped some skin off my little toe which I later super glued back on and a big as blister.

I can definately think of better things to do with my time though.

Oh well in a couple of years I'll have my last physical grading and then its all a mental journey after that.

Hopefully I'll be able to get some vids up later on this week. I can't guarrentee anything though.

[Tank]

Well I passed. Should not have had so much to drink during the grading though. Could feel the water spashing around inside me while sparring. Its was almost my new technique, blind them with a little vomit to the face and then pick them off at will.

I held it together though and even managed to land a few good ones on my sensei without getting too badly hurt. Just got a popped knuckle, a sore knee, scrapped some skin off my little toe which I later super glued back on and a big as blister.

I can definately think of better things to do with my time though.

Oh well in a couple of years I'll have my last physical grading and then its all a mental journey after that.

Hopefully I'll be able to get some vids up later on this week. I can't guarrentee anything though.

Congratulations on the grade !!!! Well done that man !

[gwigs]

Congratulations,nice to get there after years of work,well done Shodan.

[Fatt Max]

Just seen this. good luck dude...

I did my Judo Shodan fecking years ago when I was 16, still remember the nerves to this day.

Hope all goes well, you have trained hard so express yourself and all will be well.

Respect

Fuck it, just seen the result...double respect and congratulations Gareth san...

[Gareth123]

My sensei almost had me in tears at the end when he presented my belt. He was talking about how we'd first met at work, how I'd had my accident and how far I'd come from since then. He reckoned that if anyone watching was looking for signs of the broken ankle thats always given me grief while at training they'd have been hard pressed to find it. I was getting pretty choked up. Plus I still wanted to vomit which probably didn't help.

Cheers for the support guys your all awesome!

[gatch]

Mint man, congratulations.

[Fatt Max]

My sensei almost had me in tears at the end when he presented my belt. He was talking about how we'd first met at work, how I'd had my accident and how far I'd come from since then. He reckoned that if anyone watching was looking for signs of the broken ankle thats always given me grief while at training they'd have been hard pressed to find it. I was getting pretty choked up. Plus I still wanted to vomit which probably didn't help.

Cheers for the support guys your all awesome!

That's a great word from your sensei. Training through injury is always hard especially in the Martial Arts where equlibrium and balance play such an important part. To hold an injury on your base (ie the feet / ankle) and maintain such balance is a great effort.

I trained in Judo for 12 years, Aikido for 15 and have recently taken up Wing Chun (ukemi a bit hard on these old bones) and I can only give you major respect and kudos for your achievement mate. I am truly stoked for you and am glowing at this kind of achiement.

Now is the time that you begin to 'learn; the art. Shodan, in many dialects means 'Beginner', you are now on a journey that will change and direct your life. I can see from your posts that you are committed to this path and I can only wish you life's happiness my friend.

Congratulations and respect from myself and the family...we toast your step up....kampi Gareth san, onegai shimaszu

Fatt, Mrs and Mini Max....