Shotokan Karate Club’s grading exam

Jun 14 2012 by Clare Damodaran, Blairgowrie Adv

BLAIRGOWRIE and Coupar Angus Shotokan Karate Club held a grading exam last week.

The top performing juniors were Raighan Lindsay, Robyn Myerscough, Lewis Stielow, Jude Archibald, Conor Wilkinson and Connel Allardyce.

Students who passed were: 9th Kyu Red Belt - Dominika Iglinska, Connel Allardyce, Calum Welsh, Robin Lawn, Shane Bowen, Abbi Coghlan; 8th Kyu Yellow Belt - Raighan Lindsay, Steve Johnson; 7th Kyu Orange Belt - Riona Harrison, Ryan Bowen; 6th Kyu Green Belt - Abbie Williamson, Adam Sinclair, Bartosz Kaminski; 5th Kyu Blue Belt - Grant Williamson; 4th Kyu Purple Belt - Robyn Myerscough, Dean McCabe; 3rd Kyu Brown Belt - Conor Wilkinson, Lewis Stielow, Callum Ritchie, Richard Myerscough;

1st Kyu Brown and White Belt - Jude Archibald.

The grading was held over the club’s three regular class nights on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Club instructor Ally Whytock said: “Jude Archibald had the toughest grading. He had to repeat those previous belts grading that night prior to his own grading. It is a challenge and he met it with great spirit and fortitude.

Ally and assistant instructor Karen Whytock also recently attended a seminar with Sensei Iain Abernethy 6th Dan in Montroe covering the Ten Basic Throwing Techniques of Gichin Funakoshi (the Okinawan karate master who introduced karate to the modern world).

The club is starting a new three month block of training and there are several places available for new starts. Classes take place on Mondays at Blairgowrie Community Campus, 7pm to 8pm and/or 8pm to 9pm, and Fridays 6pm to 7pm and/or 7pm to 8pm, and Wednesdays at Coupar Angus Town Hall 6.30pm to 7.30pm and/or 7.30pm to 8.30pm. £3 for one hour or £4.50 for two hours. Ages 6 upwards. Please call 0785 481 2541 or visit www.blairgowrie-karate-club.co.uk.