Brown and Black Belt Course and Dan Grading- Sunday 11th May 2025

On Sunday 11th May the first Dan grading session of the year was held at the Willesden Sports Centre. Attended by students and Senseis from clubs all over the South and East of England, the grading day provided a welcome opportunity for members of the association to reunite and catch up. Especially noteworthy was the welcome reappearance in the dojo of Chief Instructor Sensei Eric Pich, back in a gi and leading the pre-grading training.

The brown belt training began at 12.30pm, followed at 13.30 by the session for dan grade students. Both sessions were well attended and much appreciated by those taking part. The association would like to thanks Senseis Eric, Sue, Glen, Janita, Phil, Duy, Nehal and Matthew for their precious guidance on the basics and kata soon to be assessed.

After a brief refreshment break the grading commenced at 15.00. Junior and senior karateka were graded to shodan, nidan and sandan before a panel of nine senior instructors. The candidates were clearly well prepared for the demanding experience, and while not all would pass, it was generally agreed that the standard was high.

The performance of several of the more junior candidates was especially noteworthy and we look forward with interest to following their progress and undoubted success in the future. A special mention also to Sensei Kyroe Carrington McKenzie on attaining the grade of sandan.

Our commiserations to those who fell short in this grading; the panel wished it to be noted that among the unsuccessful candidates they had observed some very good performances which had only been compromised by the stress of the occasion getting the better of a few.

The S.K.C. wishes to thank the organisers, the grading panel, the participants, and not least those who came to support their family members, friends and fellow club members. And an especially warm welcome back is due to Sensei Eric.

The examining panel consisted of: Senseis Eric, Phil, Glen, Sue, Janita, Nehal, Oluseyu, Matthew, Rona and Barry.

A big thank you to the Willoughbys, our administration team and the dedicated support staff as well as Sensei Vinny for refereeing the sparring.

Congratulations to all those who passed their Dan Gradings :-

Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt)
Amaya Roy-Bird
Franek Trznadel
Jaivyn Tamrakar
Mziah Laqa Ton Langton
Shadie Kanj
Hanaa Al Mashrafawi
Andrew Rennie Hall
Hamidreza Shirazi
Keith Bird

Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt)
Marek Trznadel
Richard Matheson
Mohit Jain

Sandan (3rd Dan Black Belt)
Kyroe Carrington-McKenzie