Duan Grading at HQ (Grays)
20 March 2005
Pictures may take time to load but are worth waiting for -
thanks for your patience.At 3pm on Sunday 20th March students for the Duan / Duan upgrading examination arrived at HQ in Grays, Essex.
Their first task was to complete the written examination component which comprised essay questions and terminology testing. This took place whilst the grading of the Ji grade students was being conducted.
After the written examination, 1st Ji red belts and Duan students began their testing with stretching exercises demonstrating their level of flexibility. Then came the requirement for 10 minutes ping ma bu, horse stance, 12-15 minutes for the higher Duan grades.
Students performed well, controlling their breathing and demonstrating maximum concentration to hold the stance low and steady.
Master Siew Ying Loke and Master Angie Thomas observed, and placed grading books on each students head to illustrate their ability to hold the stance and retain their posture.
Grandmaster Loke took the class through an analysis of selected techniques, breaking each one into half steps and component movements.
He reviewed with the class the reasoning for positioning and targeting ...
... and asked asked individual candidates to demonstrate requested techniques, for example 'tau sou kong chee', knife hand attack.
Grandmaster Loke treats the Duan grading in part as a technical workshop, highlighting for each candidate areas that need improvement.
Grandmaster Loke then began to ask students technical questions concerning technique application, evasion, positioning and timing.
and explained the finer points of more advanced blocking, for example 'sia duan fan pei tang' low section reverse forearm block, and how it is most effective with the correct footwork.
Students then had to execute slow kicking techniques demonstrating their stamina, concentration, determination, flexibility and strength, and degree of muscle tone.
The picture above is a good illustration of the correct posture for chean chuai ti, front thrust kick. The supporting leg foot turns out 45 degrees, the kicking foot is shaped well to kick with the ball of the foot. Hands are up in fighting position, eye focus is maintained and the hip is extended whilst keeping the body facing forwards and tilting back.
This was followed by an analysis of pinan forms and Luohan forms.
Grandmaster then called upon Mr Barry Smith and then Mrs Sarah Gooch to demonstrate evasion against an attacker (with imaginary weapon).
Several attempts were made each demonstrating a different evasive response, resulting in the Duan student finishing in an advantageous counter-attacking position.
This was followed by free-sparring sessions - first for the 1st Ji, red belt candidates.
We were delighted to see two of our youngest 1st Ji, red belt students, both only nine years old, taking their Duan examinations.
In the pictures below, Mr William Parsons (1st Duan) and Mr Chris Wright (3rd Duan) spar with the two nine-year olds who more than adequately exploited the available larger target areas of their opponents!
The Duan testing is very demanding and it is a big achievement for these two nine-year old students to have reached this level of practice at such a young age. It is very rare that children of this young age achieve Duan grade.
Young ladies also performed well sparring against more senior male opponents.
After the red belt sparring sessions, Grandmaster Loke called upon Barry Smith (1st Duan Senior) to spar against two 1st Ji opponents simultaneously.
Senior Duan students were then called upon to demonstrate their 'ee puh tooi ta' one step sparring skills.
Mr Barry Smith (1st Duan Senior) demonstrated an arm lock in defence to Chris Wright (3rd Duan), and block/evasion short-range knife hand strike, see below.
Mrs Sarah Gooch (1st Duan Senior) demonstrated block/evasion, followed by arm/neck grab and 'chean chi kai ti' front knee kick to the groin.
Students had good levels of stamina and still had energy reserves left for the 'huey koong' breaking techniques to be performed with both legs. First up were the 1st Ji, red belts.
Our two nine-year old students performed well in their impact testing ...
... straight through the break-boards with a loud shout!
Adult 1st Ji, red belts showed how their power had developed over their years of training and gave every ounce of energy they had into their penultimate grading requirement.
They attained their maximum height and speed for the jumping kicks required. For example, thiau chean chuai ti - jump front thrust kick ...
... and 'thiau cher chuai ti', jump side kick
Move your mouse pointer over the picture below to see the next move!
1st Ji candidates for Duan Grading showed strong spirit by a well timed, loud 'harn', shout ...
... and total commitment to the kick.
The picture below of Mr Barry Smith (1st Duan Senior) shows 100% conviction to his technique as his right foot smashes through the target with 'wai chuai ti' outside to inside drop kick ...
... and through the stronger black breaking board
The picture below shows Nicola Mayatt (1st Duan) Instructor from Davis Estate about to break through the strong white board with a chuan ti, roundhouse kick.
Mr William Parsons (1st Duan) performed an excellent spin back kick through the hard black break-board - striking the board with 100% accuracy and breaking clean through on his first attempt
The grading concluded with candidates breaking their stack of 'real' roof tiles utilising their chosen hand technique e.g. punch, palm heel, knife hand.
Well done to everyone for a successful Duan Grading.
Tang Sou!
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