Hi all.
I was introduced to this forum by a friend who also trains - and I have had some awesome feedback on my recent post. Now I need to get off my backside and put the video into a decent format so we can all have a laugh....

Seriously though...I have read through a lot of the members' experiences and I must say, we probably know each other - well, the ones from Western Australia anyway.

I have been training for 4.50 years - and started as many parents do 'cause we were taking our children down to train at the local dojo.

Since then, and after "truck loads" of extra fitness training, this old salt had the pleasure to grade to Shodan - Ho in July - at the same time as his son - with a 33 year age gap.......

OK, so maybe now I have lost my anonimity.

And to all the students who hate Kumite.......try an remember that the student at the other end of your mit, is just as scared as you....so pull back a little....ask questions and more importantly, ......listen....and have some fun.

We are not there to kill each other.


Have fun and trave safe

Hi Mares.

Maybe you`d know Matt and Susan from the classes they`ve taught? Congratulations on the Shodan-Ho by the way, when do you think you`ll be going for full Shodan?

Cheers

Tom.

curious now.... where do /did you train?

Yep, well the scariest bit of my BB gradings have been sparring the other candidates. The RMs and ZD will do what they have to, but other students can be so unreasonable!

Well done anyway.

PS: I'm in R13 and run a class waaaaay up the north end.

I am in Region 12.
Also train with GKR WA State Team (NAS)

When will I obtain my Shodan ??

Well, I do not consider it a race.so I am in no hurry - but I graded to Shodan-Ho during the July grading.
So, I guess the earliest I would be considered for my next grading will be mid 2007.

As far as the BB grading goes, I thoroughly enjoyed it - even the kumite. Sure, it hurt but the pain faded quickly once my name was called out as passing the assessment. THe next day.....well that is another story.

Seriously though, I must say, fitness fitness fitness and some more fitness is the key. If your recovery time is good, even the small amount of time between bouts / kata helps you make it through.
T
I also consider that by the you are ready to grade, you have the basic skills to see you through. But if you are not fit it is going to make the assessment that whole lot tougher.

Please don't get me wrong when I say "basic skills". What I mean here is that you will have a thorough understanding (and capability) of the basics - achieving your Shodan-Ho is just the start of the journey.........


Have fun and travel safe.

So you would have been at the tournament on the 11th of November then?

Maybe I saw you there - I was head ref on Ring 5 ... If you were there did you win anything?

Hello Hello to GKR WA from your Bros. in R5 Vic...

looking fwd for the Nationals next month???

I'm a Sensei in R5 - not quite yet a BB, but still optimistic...
so, just dropped in to say hi

and, hope to c ya all in Melb. next month...............

cheers

Hi Gigi, Glad to have you here!

I notice you do Krav-Maga. Could you tell us a little more about it?

Tom.

Hi Warrick and Gigi....

Warrick,
I was working on Ring 4 - and competed as well.

I was lucky enough to come away from the tournament with a second and 2 thirds......


Gigi

Yup...will be in Melbourne for the Nationals.
Coming over for work on Thursday (23/11) first...so I will take some time to "suss out the competition"....haha

I will also be there the week before the Nationals for the NAS Nationals, and am looking forward to 2 weekends of comprtition.

See you there !!