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Last Update:
21-Jan-2007
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Marco and Darren Achieve Shodan!
Congratulations
10th July 2003 -- On the weekend of the
28th/29th of June 2003, Marco Cortese and Darren Tostevin joined other NAF
Aikidoka from around the country at the NAF's main dojo, in Bristol, for this
years shodan grading. Both candidates spent a lot of time preparing for the
grading at the club, in their own time and by attending the monthly Dan Grade
Preparation courses held in Bristol.
The actual grading was held on the Saturday, in front of
panel consisting of 5 senior grades and presided over by Sensei Mike Narey,
Sensei Bernard Harding and Sensei George Forbes. Everybody had chosen an uke for
the grading prior to the grading taking place, and each pair (Tori/Uke) was then
called up two pairs at a time. The format of the grading had one partner as Tori
for roughly 20 minutes, then their roles were reversed. All in all, each grading
lasted about 40 minutes in total.
Marco took on the role of Tori first with Darren as Uke, and proceeded to
give a very good demonstration of his Aikido. Unfortunately, due to problems
with his back, Marco felt unable to take the role of uke for Darren, so Neil
Jones "volunteered". Though Darren had an uke he was unfamiliar with, it didn't
seem to worry him and again went on to give a enjoyable demonstration.
On the Sunday, the results of the grading were announced, with the happy news
and great relief that both Darren and Marco achieved the shodan grade. So a big
round of applause to both, and a big thank you from the Brighton Kai Shin Kai
for representing the club so well.
In addition to giving a demonstration of their aikido, they were both
required to write and submit an essay prior to the grading. Both of these essays
can be found in our articles section.
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