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SHODAN EXAMINATION MARCH 22,2003
The setting at our dojo just before midnight was one of peace and tranquility as dim lighting and soft incense created an atmosphere of something special about to happen. As students to be tested for shodan, nidan and sandan arrived, the anticipation of the night ahead, filled the air. The examination was scheduled for at least seven and a half hours. Who knew what would take place during the wee hours of the morning between midnight and dawn?
Peace
and tranquility were quickly forgotten as an intense two hour warm-up and drill
followed. And then, candidates to be tested began to perform tasks of endurance,
skill, talent and expertise. The perseverance of each candidate was challenged
to the limit as fellow karatekas looked on. Only a strong desire to complete the
tasks assigned, would make it possible for a candidate to be successful.
Well-performed
pinans and other advanced forms followed, as each individual candidate was
brought forward to present what had been learned during many countless hours of
hard work over several years of training. One couldn't help but be in awe of
each candidate's determination to perform well accompanied by their presentation
of movement in perfection
In
tameshiwari, the candidate's ability to focus, concentrate and execute movements
to break boards brought about moments of suspense, interspersed with encouragement
and then, cheering from the audience. The ability to succeed in tameshiwari
would bring together to a climactic point, everything learned in martial arts
classes.
The
self-defence movements presented by the candidates varied. Some were designed to
show how one would perform if applying movements adapted from katas and pinans,
if it was a matter of street fighting, or, in ippon kumite.
And,
finally, as dawn was breaking, it came to sparring. Candidates who had been
challenged all night long and who were close to exhaustion, prepared to spend
their last bits of strength and energy, to remain
persevering and determined, in showing their ability to fight against many
opponents.
Having
experienced such a night, the candidates and participants bonded together in
camaraderie. The sense of belonging to a family of members who supported each
other had prevailed all night long. Brown belts who had participated, saw what
lay ahead. Black belts and Dans who had achieved their levels previously,
remembered their own challenges. The realization that the candidates had been
tested to the ultimate of their potential, made those present acknowledge that
significant steps had been achieved in the lives of the candidates, all of whom
were ultimately victorious. Their achievement showed that each candidate had the
tools to further be successful, both in martial arts, and through transference,
in their everyday lives. They would be changed forever.
Through
the efforts of our Shihan, participants present at the examination, at one point
or another, remembered why kyokushinkai is an important element for each
of us as individuals. Living and breathing it consistently, makes it all the
more so.
It
was a night to remember
Sandan
Magdalene Peters