Journey to a new style...

[_Simon_]

WELL?

It hasn't happened yet . I sent that other message half a day early (wasn't sure what time differences everyone here had haha), tomorrow morning it goes down . About to head to sleep! don't worry I won't leave ya hangin'!

 

[Gyakuto]

I thought a Friday grading was a little odd. I lost sleep over it all.

 

[_Simon_]

Guys... I did it . After a huge 3.5 hour grading, and I'd say the most challenging grading I've ever done, I passed!!

That was brutal haha.. so incredibly hard but wow. I'm officially 1st Dan . I've never had a belt specially made for me with my name on it either! Very cool.

Started with aaall the fitness/endurance stuff, calisthenics etc, beep test really took it out of me even though I felt really good going through it recently. Sparring was only 5 rounds but incredibly hard ones at that. Put me only with all the black belts, and, as I requested previously haha they went very hard on me and pushed me to my limits. Honoured to have sparred with my main instructor too, who really went hard haha.

Unfortunately during my first round, I accidentally hyperextended my thumb (on my own leg somehow ) and it freakin hurt. So had to do the rest of the grading in fair bit of pain. Hurts a bit now and quite swollen, but hopefully it's just strained tendon and nothing serious. I can still move it but will see. My thumbs are both double jointed anyway but it must have pushed back a bit too far and stretched the tendon.

After kumite, aaaall the technical stuff followed, and heaps more (double actually) repetitions compared to my last grading which was a nice surprise haha. Kihon, all partner drills, sparring sets, sabaki sets, movement drills, then onto kata and bunkai/applications.

Honoured to grade with my fellow dojo mate who completed the whole thing with a current broken toe!

A massive day, I am SPENT, and super proud. I worked so damn hard for this and feel very worthy of it. Thanks everyone for all your encouragement, support and for following my journey

 

[Gyakuto]

Totally, brilliantly, incredibly well done and congratulations! I’ve seldom heard of anyone plan and train so meticulously and so your pass is thoroughly deserved. I’m also happy that the grading standards and expectations appear to be so high in your association, especially in this day and age of black belts being essentially paid for and received with a nod and a wink. I’m really happy for you. I’ve been tied to my iPad like an expectant father to the phone!

Oh, by the way, they’ve spelled your name incorrectly

It’s a beautiful belt, _Simon_

 

[Gyakuto]

May i suggest you spend some time writing down your grading experience in as much detail as possible…every sight, sound, smell and thought. Why? Because you’ll love reading it back in years to come, especially on your death bed

 

[_Simon_]

Totally, brilliantly, incredibly well done and congratulations! I’ve seldom heard of anyone plan and train so meticulously and so your pass is thoroughly deserved. I’m also happy that the grading standards and expectations appear to be so high in your association, especially in this day and age of black belts being essentially paid for and received with a nod and a wink. I’m really happy for you. I’ve been tied to my iPad like an expectant father to the phone!

Oh, by the way, they’ve spelled your name incorrectly

It’s a beautiful belt, _Simon_

Thank you so, so much mate, that means alot! Aww that's sweet haha! Yeah I really take it seriously, or moreso, with sincerity. Karate means alot to me, more than many would know, and has provided such a rich and deep avenue for exploring and understanding life and myself. Yeah it's a wonderful club, and such a great group of people who all are so encouraging and supportive.

A big day

 

[_Simon_]

May i suggest you spend some time writing down your grading experience in as much detail as possible…every sight, sound, smell and thought. Why? Because you’ll love reading it back in years to come, especially on your death bed

That's actually a really awesome idea, I may just do that!

 

[Gyakuto]

Go and celebrate with a green or two (not too many) and put some ice on that thumb!

My left thumb is ‘double jointed’!

 

[_Simon_]

Go and celebrate with a green or two (not too many) and put some ice on that thumb!

My left thumb is ‘double jointed’!

We went out for the biggest iced coffee afterwards!

Oh well fancy that! Yeah I've always been able to pop my thumb back. Whether it's a good idea to or not I don't know haha

 

[Gyakuto]

We went out for the biggest iced coffee afterwards!

I hope you were wearing your black belt?

Are you going to treat yourself to a new dōgi? You should!

Oh well fancy that! Yeah I've always been able to pop my thumb back. Whether it's a good idea to or not I don't know haha

I have the girls press down on it, feel it click out of place and hear them squeal. Then I hint that it’s not the only part of me that dislocated

 

[_Simon_]

I hope you were wearing your black belt?

Are you going to treat yourself to a new dōgi? You should!

I have the girls press down on it, feel it click out of place and hear them squeal. Then I hint that it’s not the only part of me that dislocated

Haha I should have worn it!

And I REALLY do need a new dogi actually. Soon hopefully.. funds are incessantly low but it's on the list.

 

[Gyakuto]

Haha I should have worn it!

Wear it under your under crackers to avoid potential conflict.

And I REALLY do need a new dogi actually. Soon hopefully.. funds are incessantly low but it's on the list.

Tokaido to match you belt!

 

[Simfers]

Well this was entirely expected. You worked hard for it and you worked very smartly, too, so you could only ever succeed! Congratulations, dear fellow, this was ENTIRELY deserved!

Rest is in order now, especially for that thumb. I've had it happen a few times, it's annoying.

 

[Flying Crane]

Congratulations Simon, I have enjoyed reading about your experiences on this road and this is well earned.

 

[Nachi]

Congratulations on your black belt! It is an awesome achievement! And it sounds like you earned it well. Especially after such a hard grading

 

[HighKick]

Guys... I did it . After a huge 3.5 hour grading, and I'd say the most challenging grading I've ever done, I passed!!

That was brutal haha.. so incredibly hard but wow. I'm officially 1st Dan . I've never had a belt specially made for me with my name on it either! Very cool.

Started with aaall the fitness/endurance stuff, calisthenics etc, beep test really took it out of me even though I felt really good going through it recently. Sparring was only 5 rounds but incredibly hard ones at that. Put me only with all the black belts, and, as I requested previously haha they went very hard on me and pushed me to my limits. Honoured to have sparred with my main instructor too, who really went hard haha.

Unfortunately during my first round, I accidentally hyperextended my thumb (on my own leg somehow ) and it freakin hurt. So had to do the rest of the grading in fair bit of pain. Hurts a bit now and quite swollen, but hopefully it's just strained tendon and nothing serious. I can still move it but will see. My thumbs are both double jointed anyway but it must have pushed back a bit too far and stretched the tendon.

After kumite, aaaall the technical stuff followed, and heaps more (double actually) repetitions compared to my last grading which was a nice surprise haha. Kihon, all partner drills, sparring sets, sabaki sets, movement drills, then onto kata and bunkai/applications.

Honoured to grade with my fellow dojo mate who completed the whole thing with a current broken toe!

A massive day, I am SPENT, and super proud. I worked so damn hard for this and feel very worthy of it. Thanks everyone for all your encouragement, support and for following my journey

View attachment 31873

Huge Congratulations!!! I see a lot of enjoyable work and dedication in that strip of black cloth!
Well done.

 

[isshinryuronin]

Karate means alot to me,

Congrats on shodan. Sounds like you earned it! Now that you've finished the basics you can start really getting into the art. But first, chill and relax and enjoy your achievement. Then, just don't practice karate, study it. Enjoy the journey.

 

[_Simon_]

Thank you so, so much everyone. I really appreciate it very much, means alot. Very much sore all over today so keeping it very relaxed. Thumb isn't great, bruised and swollen, but less painful than yesterday.

And yes, the journey continues, and study will go deeper, as it has been heading in that direction. Thank you all

 

[Stuarto]

Congratulations on achieving shodan, Simon! You have worked long and hard for this and are an inspiration

 

[_Simon_]

Congratulations on achieving shodan, Simon! You have worked long and hard for this and are an inspiration

Thanks so much brother, I really appreciate your kind words . It still hasn't sunk in fully haha