Sometimes we assess our students for their next grade during a regular class. Last week we said farewell to Max as he moves away from Cambridge. He missed our last regular grading but we couldn't let him leave without awarding his with a very well earned yellow belt. On Saturday it was the turn of one of younger students, well done to Ema!
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We held a grading tonight on what was must have been our busiest class with 21 students on the dojo floor. Many congratulations to everyone on successfully passing to their next grades. Ben to yellow belt, Nisan and Victor to orange belt, Robert, Mike and Joe to green belt, Chaz and Shyane to blue belt, Virginia to 3rd kyu brown belt and Jon to 2nd kyu brown belt. With all the excitement we completely forgot to take a group photo!
On Saturday 7th October we held a grading for the children's class. Under the watchful eyes of Senseis Martin, Louise and Fabio, everyone did their best. We're very pleased to announce that all students passed to their next belts. We would also like to welcome Alice to the club.
September has got off to a busy start this year, as the Summer has made a pleasant return. We started with the black belt grading weekend at the OTGKA honbu dojo in London. It is compulsory for students taking their black belt tests to attend a full weekend of training, which gives Sensei George Andrews, 8th dan, the opportunity to evaluate the students abilities before the formal test, and to provide advice on areas for them to improve. The grading this September was especially busy with a total of 13 students taking their tests, and many people training alongside them. The combination of a full dojo and the return of outside temperatures to the mid 20s, it was very hot and humid in the dojo. The Cambridge dojo was very well represented, and it gives great pleasure to announce that Holly passed her Shodan test, David passed to Nidan and Tiffany passed to Sandan. Congratulations all round! David timed his grading to perfection, as he is moving back to Australia later this week to be closer to his family. His last class at the club was last night and we had a great turn out to wish him farewell on his new adventures. David has been training with us for almost 8 years and hasn't let any obstacles get his way. A highly respected and loved member of the dojo, his positive attitude and friendly demeanor will be greatly missed by all.
Every student that trains at Cambridge Goju Ryu and successfully grades to shodan (first level black belt) is awarded an embroidered black belt (obi) from Shureido 'The World Famous Brand from the Birthplace of Karate'. It isn't always possible to award the black belt at the time of grading as the belt can take 2 months to make and then a few more weeks for shipping. We were very pleased to receive news from South Africa this week, that our former student Cameron Frew was presented with his very own Shureido black belt by Sensei Elrie Bosman.
The last time Sensei George taught in Cambridge was at our 10 year club anniversary early in 2020, so it was an absolute pleasure to welcome him back. Training this year was held over two days, with separate sessions for the children and the adult black and brown belts on Saturday 17th, followed by a 3 hour class on Sunday 18th for all adults. We were also delighted to welcome karate friends from outside of our club. Sensei Luke Smith and his student Geoff had travelled all the way from Hereford, and they were able to enjoy the full weekend and see some of Cambridge. Those that joined our online classes during the pandemic will have already met both virtually so it was great to be able to train together in the dojo. From the South we had a contingent from Three Valleys Karate, Sensei Steve Johnson and his students, always a pleasure training with like minded practitioners of Goju Ryu regardless of affiliation. Martin Pinto flew the flag for our sister clubs in Essex. Taking the prize for the furthest travelled was (Huggy) David McNaught, all the way from Singapore! Training covered a lot of basics, both static and moving, impact work, self defense practice and some time at the end of each session for kata. Thanks to everyone that supported this event, and to Sensei for making the trip up to Cambridge.
Saturday 17th JuneTraining at the Cass Centre dojo, Cambridge University Press, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 8BS Children's class 10.30-11.30 - normal class fees apply Adult's class for black and brown belt only 11.45-13.15 - £10 (godan and above free of charge) Sunday 18th JuneTraining at Impington Sports Centre, New Rd, Impington, Cambridge CB24 9LX
Adult's class for all grades 10.00-13.00 - £25 or £30 for both days (godan and above free of charge) On Friday 21st April a few members of the club, joined by Sensei Dave Amber, caught the Eurostar out of St Pancras, destination Brussels. We were met at Gare du Midi by Isobelle, one of our friends from the Brussels Goju Ryu club. We were taken to the gymnasium in Auderghem, which would be our dojo for the weekend. We were the first students to arrive, but when we were called to line up, we had been joined by over 100 other students. Our instructor for the weekend was Bakkies Sensei, a 9th dan Goju Ryu master from South Africa. The focus of the weekend was on getting the basics right, detail of junbi undo and lots of kihon, together with footwork. Everyone put their best into the training and the atmosphere was great. Our hosts were incredible, ensuring that we were transported between the dojo and our accommodation, and to the sayonara party and back. Many thanks to Sensei Marc and Els for organising another first class gasshuku and to their wonderful club members. Thanks to Sensei Patrick for always extending such a warm welcome, and sharing his superb beer! Last but not least, our deepest gratitude to Bakkies Sensei for his insightful teaching, motivation and great sense of humour.
Our evening classes are for adults only, but we make the occasional exception. Last Summer we welcomed 16-year old Cameron Frew to the club following a move with his family to the UK. Cameron started training in Goju Ryu at the young age of six under Sensei Elrie Bosman, in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. As a member of Karate-do International, he attended many gasshuku, both at home and abroad. Cameron also competed in numerous events, including the World Championships in Florida, USA, at which he achieved 4th place in his division. With 10 years of training under his belt, Cameron joined us with a very good standard of karate. Over the last 6 months he worked hard alongside the adults, adjusting to our curriculum and further improving his technique and power. In addition to being a regular student at the evening classes, he also supported the children's classes on Saturday mornings, at times helping Sensei Fabio. On Sunday 5th March, Cameron attended the Black Belt grading session at the OTGKA honbu dojo. As the only junior (under 18), he trained alongside 10 adult grading candidates, including 6 taking their yondan (4th dan) tests. After training for 3 hours in the morning, the grading started at 2pm. The grading took 2 hours, covering basic techniques, san dan gi, kata, pad work and the final 'spirit test'. It gives us great pleasure to announce that Cameron successfully passed to Junior Shodan (1st dan), under the watchful eyes of the grading panel: Sensei George Andrews 8th dan, Sensei Dave Amber 6th dan and Sensei Dick Lovett 5th dan. Unfortunately, Cameron could only stay with us in Cambridge for a short time, but we know that we'll train together again - perhaps a club trip to South Africa! We wish him all the best, knowing that black belt is only the first step, Ganbatte Kudasai!
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