After more than a year of lockdowns, we’re delighted that we were finally able to run a kyu belt grading with record numbers for us: 36 students graded! It would have been even more but sadly some of our students couldn’t make it due to Covid restrictions. It was also the first ever grading by our new association body Shotokan Nation, so another record!

The grading panels consisted of Sensei Ivan Birch (chair of Shotokan Nation and 6th Dan), Sensei John Parnell (also 6th Dan), Sensei Robin Dale (5th Dan) and our own Sensei Frank Jennings. Senseis Valerie Dale and Jess Baker also assisted. We were thrilled to have so many representatives from our new association and fellow Shotokan Nation clubs and we are grateful to them for making it a great event.