MARTIAL ARTS
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SENSEIS Toby Westcott and Hayden Crawford successfully completed their first degree black belt grading in Newcastle last month.
Representing the Orange Branch of Kumiai-Ryu Martial Arts System, High Impact Martial Arts and Health Studio, the pair joined KRMAS students from across Australia to attend the intensive three-day grading.
It’s a remarkable feat for both Westcott and Crawford.
The average training time to reach this level was six years and they have been training intensively for the past year to help prepare for the grading.
In total 24 members of KRMAS participated in the black belt grading challenge along with another 100 participants training at the camp.
The three-day grading, one of the most realistic and highly regarded in martial arts circles worldwide, consists of six intensive three-hour sessions designed to push candidates to their physical and mental limits.
During the sessions the candidates are assessed on fitness, technique, teaching skills, self defence, knife defence, defence against multiple attackers and sparring.
A highlight of the grading for many is the last session on Sunday afternoon when after almost three days of exhausting physical activity, the candidates are required to complete 40 two-minute rounds of full body contact sparring.
Shihan Anthony Wharton said he would like to congratulate all the candidates and thank all the family and friends who travelled to support and encourage them during the grading.
