If you want to be tested then the Academy is the place to do it. Last Sunday the 16th we had one of our famous Black Belt tests. There were only three people taking the grading this time. Austin Plunkett, Kim VanDoren and Greg Woods. Unfortunately for them this just made it even harder than normal.

Though there were only three doing it there were over twenty black belt veterans there to test them plus lots of senior students watching. JKD and Thai boxing veteran Gordon McAdam tested them rigorously on the Thai pads and signaled his approval.

Then they had to show techniques from Kali, JKD and MMA.  In addition to the huge technical knowledge that they had to have, there’s always the sparring. As in all black belt gradings the aim is to first check your technical knowledge but also more importantly check your fighting spirit and heart. For that you need to be taken to the edge.

Academy Veteran Tim Harding led the challengers to make sure that they had what was needed. Tim was assisted by Paul Clarke and Julian Gilmour the candidates had to fight these fresh opponents numerous times plus fight between themselves. Then they had to do two against one to exhaustion and then finish with bouts of stickfighting. Kim seemed to dislocate her finger in the stick but had it put back by Osteopath Savash Mustafa (who won bronze at the Kent Open BJJ Tournament) then; back to the fray.

A great day, with all agreeing it was one of the best gradings in a long while and of a consistently high standard. Greg Woods was partnered all the way through by Black Belt veteran Stephanie DeHowes who took every bash and wrench with quiet stoicism and said she really enjoyed the experience! All three passed and we all decamped to Zigfrid’s the local bar where it seemed to be whisky all round.