Scottish Winter Camp Success

Eight members from the Chikara Dojo based in Spennymoor attended the annual Kyokushin Winter Camp and National Grading in Scotland recently. The camp took place in the old prisoner of war camp at Cultibraggen near Comrie, Perthshire.

Winter Camp has a reputation for being extremely hard and demanding. Training sessions take place every few hours throughout the entire weekend. They begin on Friday evening and ending on Sunday afternoon.

From the eight in attendance this year, three members took their gradings. Reza Azhdari – Nia, who is originally from Iran, passed his National Grading and was promoted to Brown Belt, Black Stripe, one step away from Black Belt. Club Secretary, Keeley Nixon achieved her Green Belt, and Mark Tregoning achieved his Orange Belt, Black Stripe.

In Kyokushin karate, beginners start with a Shite Belt, followed by Orange, Blue, Yellow, Green, Brown and Black. Within each belt colour, there is a second grade as well; stripe. It takes on average five years of dedicated training to reach the much-coveted rank of Kyokushin black belt.

“National Gradings are always nerve-wracking, as it is not just our individuals who are being examined, but the standard of the instruction at our club. Whenever we have students taking part in a National Grading, our teaching methods are also being vigorously scrutinised. Having also attended this camp, I am extremely proud that everyone passed with flying colours. It is true testament to their hard work and preparation that they did so well” Chief Instructor, Adam Walker, 4th dan.