The Greenfield Park and Longueuil dojos are proud to congratulate Karine Savard and Johanne Sabourin for attaining the Nidan level. We would also like to congratulate Alain Castonguay, Mario Légaré, Sophie Girard and Sonia Mina for attaining the Shodan level. After five years of continuous training and having followed black belt preparation classes for 18-months; these 6 karatekas arrived at the Greenfield Park Dojo on Friday December 5th 2014, determined to overcome numerous challenges in order to obtain their black belts.
Friday evening was the first step in reaching their common goal. At 6:30 p.m., these six candidates began with a theory exam based on the history of Kyokushin/Shinkyokushin karate, Japanese terminology of all of the techniques and much more. Following this written exam, it was time for them to demonstrate their knowledge of the katas. They knew that they had to impress the six judges who were present to evaluate them: Shihan Alain Bordeleau, Sensei Christine Jagucki, Sensei Normand Bordeleau, Sensei Marc-André Vachon, Sensei Michel Bougie and Sensei Francois Leroux. Strength, energy, precision in their movements and low positions were just some of the criteria that the judges were looking for when the candidates executed their basic, advanced and superior katas. The evening ended at approximately 10:30 p.m.
The candidates returned on Saturday, December 6th at 1 p.m., to continue their grading exam. More than 60 brown and black belt karatékas were present to encourage them, as everyone knew that this second step would be extremely demanding. The afternoon began with an intense cardiovascular training consisting of push-ups, sit-ups, frog jumps and more, followed by a series of kicks, the kihon, ido-geiko techniques and then wood breaking with both hands and feet. The grading test did not end there. In order to complete their black belt test, they still had to demonstrate their perseverance, their courage and their force of character in combats; 20 for the Nidan and 15 for Shodan. It was only at the end of the day and after each of the candidates were evaluated individually, that the six karatekas finally learned that they were successful and would be entering the realm of Yudansha.
They now know that it is with hard training, determination, self-discipline and personal commitment that one is able to obtain a black belt! We are very proud of our students.
Osu
