Over eighty Karate students from the Shotokan Karate Ryu (SKR) clubs in Bishops Stortford and Stansted Mountfitchet gathered at the Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre on Sunday 13th September to attempt them next Kyu (coloured belt) grading.
20 Students from the “Tiger Tots” programme for 4-6 year olds, a tailored programme of Karate instruction developed by Sensei Donna Ring (4th Dan) in 2004, successfully passed their next coloured belts and were awarded them in front of the assembled grading participants and their proud parents.
The Tiger Tot grading success was followed by a 100% pass rate for the remaining 60 Adults and Juniors who attempted their colour belts – only the 3rd time a 100% pass rate has been achieved in the 48 grading’s undertaken since the Shotokan Karate Ryu was founded in Bishops Stortford in 2003.
Amongst these students were 5 Adults and 1 Junior undergoing their final assessment in preparation for their Black belt grading next month with English and European Karate Organisation Chief Instructor Sensei Dave Sharkey (8th Dan).
The Grading was also a big occasion for Sai Kandamath (age) whose Grandparents had travelled over from India to watch. So impressed by his Grand-daughters performance, Adv. G. N. Rajan asked for a commemorative photograph with Sai and her Instructor Sensei Donna.
Sensei Michael Ring (5th Dan) who was the Chief examiner on the day said: “The standards of Karate on display were very high and the 100% pass mark was well deserved. I was particularly impressed by the Tiger Tots students who performed so well at such a young age. I am sure there were a lot of proud parents on Sunday.”
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
