Bill Mattocks
11-07-2011, 11:22 PM
I have been studying Isshin-Ryu for just over three years now, and I've been a San-Kyu for 14 months. Tonight, I did not know I was going to be tested for promotion. The requirement is time in grade and Kusanku kata, which I am still struggling with.
However, I had to dodge Sensei's attacks with focus pads, then I sparred with two of our larger members (didn't do too badly, did get hip-thrown once, dang, but I threw some nice kicks), then I got called up in front of the dojo and asked to perform Kusanku. I flubbed it. Sensei let me start again, and I staggered through it somehow. I figured I blew it, but no problem, I knew there would always be another time.
However, Sensei fooled me; he drew up the Dan line and had us all kneel and called up several people to be promoted; including me. You could have knocked me over with a feather!
Anyway, I'm tired and sore. It is definitely going to be a Motrin night. Just wanted to share with my friends.
I figure maybe a year and some being Ni-Kyu, then a year or so of Ik-Kyu, then perhaps I might even earn my Sho-Dan. Possibly by the time I'm 55. That's my goal, anyway.
However, I had to dodge Sensei's attacks with focus pads, then I sparred with two of our larger members (didn't do too badly, did get hip-thrown once, dang, but I threw some nice kicks), then I got called up in front of the dojo and asked to perform Kusanku. I flubbed it. Sensei let me start again, and I staggered through it somehow. I figured I blew it, but no problem, I knew there would always be another time.
However, Sensei fooled me; he drew up the Dan line and had us all kneel and called up several people to be promoted; including me. You could have knocked me over with a feather!
Anyway, I'm tired and sore. It is definitely going to be a Motrin night. Just wanted to share with my friends.
I figure maybe a year and some being Ni-Kyu, then a year or so of Ik-Kyu, then perhaps I might even earn my Sho-Dan. Possibly by the time I'm 55. That's my goal, anyway.