Kenpo grading Monday 23rd June & a special tribute. Congratulations to all who took part in the Kenpo grading at St Peters on Monday 23rd June, a fantastic effort from everyone. Well done to Micah, Guy, Tristan, Jim Leatt, Neil Roberts and Mark Le Duc for passing their test. Also, thanks to the others who participated as a pre-test in preparation for their gradings later in the year, and to assist as “dummies”. December is going to be awesome by what you showed on Monday. Following on, I wanted a couple of days to reflect on what to me was a very significant day. As we all know preparing for and passing any belt level takes dedication, commitment and hard work. When starting out, for many students (but not all), a new belt level is often a high priority as a measure of success. The students rightly reflect on their performance, be happy with their achievement, take the comments of the grading panel onboard and start learning the next stage of the syllabus/program. As time goes on and your journey progresses, belt level becomes less important as a deeper understanding of the art takes over. For some this transition can take place over many years. Often times, people are happy to achieve black belt, train for a while after then drift away. Thats fine for them and I make no judgment. We leave the right hand side of the belt presentation empty as for some, their journey ends at that point. For the serious student, the space is to be taken with a wider knowledge and more experience in the future, lifes experiences & not just time on the mat. Some people due to circumstances beyond their control or due to major life changes, leave the art for many years and return later, some dipping in & out. There are exceptional people, whove battled against the odds, who return with a greater determination to succeed than ever. The event we all know as the grading I would suggest is viewed mostly from the point of view of the students, in their success or otherwise. How did I perform? Did I do myself and my instructors proud? Did I give every bit of effort? Have the lessons learnt been applied? Was my martial spirit present? I would like to give a short alternative perspective regarding the black belts. For myself, Paul MacMurray and guest Dave Williams, present on the panel, we could sense the intensity of the kenpo was high and (amazingly, knowing Neil & Mark), so was the control. Competition was intense to perform and neither gave any quarter. What was noticeable to me was that despite their tiredness at the end of a long test, the last section, when just Neil Roberts going for 3rd Degree and Mark Le Duc for 4th Degree were left on the floor completing their technique line, a real sense of Martial Arts spirit, past, present and future was on show. For any instructor, it is a pleasure to see their students achieve success, for Paul and I, we enjoyed a moment where we saw a deeply personal transition to a higher level in kenpo. I watched their faces closely as Neil and Mark received their promotions. As mentioned earlier, for many, a belt level promotion is mainly about just the day itself. This was not. I saw that moment where two skilled and dedicated martial artists moved into another level with a deeper understanding of what got them there, and the responsibilities their grades demand going forward. A great moment. Also, spare a small thought for your instructors at the belt ceremony, it is so important for them to reflect on your journey too. They look back at times like this recalling all the hard training, pain, frustrations & progress through the years. To be a part of making such positive change & success in peoples lives is profoundly moving. It re-enforces the teachers need to keep pushing themselves too. Finally, my great mate Mark Le Duc & I started our Kenpo Journey together in 1978 at the Les Quennevais club, Jersey. As Graham Lelliott will confirm, he had a unique & natural fighting spirit from day one and a loyalty beyond doubt. He has overcome many issues over the years including the one that would cause many to falter, including not passing his black belt test at the first attempt. This was mainly due to forms needing more work. (He was & is a scrapper & techniques man, to whom forms came later!). (Dave Williams, recounting his first meeting with Mark on his first day in class said. “He was a small 14 year old kid who got up to spar, bowed, said nothing, then came flying at him with fists & feet flying, no reverse gear & no fear. The only way out was to punch him in the face to slow him down.). Times were different then! Mark continued his training & returned to achieve his black belt in style, in front of Mr Parker in Plymouth, 1989. At the age of 25, difficult personal circumstances followed & he was away from Kenpo for 15 years. After Graham left, I took it as my responsibilty to bring him back. At 40, he returned with a quiet determination initially to get fit, then the old edge returned with a vengeance. At the grading of Monday, aged 50, it was like hed never been away. An example to all. I am certain Mr Parker would be looking down with a big smile.
Posted on: Mon, 30 Jun 2014 10:37:28 +0000