The Zanshin Dan Grading on Sunday 1st November 2020 was the grading many thought we may not get to have due to COVID-19, but we made it. What a fantastic grading!
Once a year eligible Zanshin Black Belts and higher grades participate in the Zanshin Dan Grading. We were fortunate to secure the Erindale PCYC for the 2020 Dan Grading. The venue afforded a big enough floor space, with mats for rolling and throwing, to enjoy seeing eight Grading applicants’ successfully grade, many Zanshin Club members participate and partner for the Dan Grading applicants, and space for spectators and family members to watch. With eight Dan Grading applicants in action it was the largest ever Zanshin Dan Grading. It says a lot about the strength of Zanshin Martial Arts at the higher grades and how much students are enjoying the training delivered.
· Congratulations to Renshi Drew Wilkinson, now promoted to 4th Dan.
· Congratulations to Sensei Mick Porter and Sensei Steve Hledik, now both promoted to 2nd Dan.
· Five Black Belts are now promoted to 1st Dan and will soon get to wear their Hakamas. Congratulations to: Sensei Renee Bill, Sensei Rachel Santos, Sensei Mark Edmonds, Bhavna Varma and Nicholas Dale.
Dedication and an enormous amount of training (many years) went in to preparing for the Dan Grading. During the COVID-19 lockdown, they continued to train on their own to maintain their fitness. Training, and many years of it, starts now for the next challenge.
The newly promoted Dan Grades are very thankful for their instructors’ efforts teaching the many techniques, along with the club’s other students who week after week trained in the Ai Ki class to Uke (partner) for them.