Region 2 Grading at Haywards Heath
10 July 2005
On Sunday 10th July at the Dolphin Leisure Centre, Haywards Heath, the Region 2 grading took place.
This month we were pleased to welcome Dr. Alejandro Aragon Zavala (3rd Duan) who was visiting from Mexico. Dr Zavala had brought the good weather with him as the sun was shining outside and it was approximately 25 degrees Celcius in the hall - not hot by Mexican standards but decidedly warm by English ones!
L to R: Tina Matania (3rd Duan), Master Adam Goward (5th Duan), Grandmaster Loke and Dr Alejandro Aragon Zavala (3rd Duan).As per usual, we started with a one hour class before the grading. Master Goward (5th Duan) instructed the class, assisted by five of his Duan grade students: Dr Alejandro Aragon Zavala (3rd Duan, Mexico), Tina Matania (3rd Duan, Epsom), Nick Evagorou (2nd Duan, Croydon), Simon King (1st Duan Senior, Epsom), Simon Green (1st Duan, Tunbridge Wells) and Graham Towl (1st Duan, Wadhurst).
Dr Alejandro Aragon Zavala (3rd Duan) observes Ji grade students.
Jonathan King (2nd Ji) from Epsom.
Knife hand strike (tau sou kong chee) with the class.
The turn and pull back before knife hand strike.During the class Master Goward called upon Nick Evagorou (2nd Duan) to demonstrate side thrust kick (cher chuai ti) in order to analyse the movement.
Master Goward began by explaining the beginning
lift up of the kick.
Then the half way position, where the knee must
be above the ankle of the kicking leg.
To the extended position, focusing on the shape
of the kicking foot which must strike its target
with the outside edge of the foot.
Dr Alejandro Aragon Zavala (3rd Duan) and Nick Evagorou (2nd Duan).After the class everyone took a short ten minute break in order to re-hydrate themselves and prepare for the forthcoming exam. One student (yes we saw you Roland Vasallo from Epsom) was seen sitting on the brow of the hill behind the hall - not quite with legs crossed - by the trees... contemplating (or was it mentally rehearsing the terminology!)
At 4:10pm the grading commenced. Grandmaster Loke presided with Master Goward (5th Duan).
Grandmaster Loke took the opportunity of explaining selected techniques in detail for the Ji grade students, including demonstrating how the hand should be held for the 'tau sou' knife hand position.
Ji grade breaking followed with well executed techniques as per the examination syllabus requirements.
Outside to inside drop kick (Wai chuai ti).There were no less than seven blue belts taking their examinations. Their test began (whilst the lower Ji grades were taking their examinations) with five minutes of horse stance (ping ma bu) supervised by Graham Towl (1st Duan), Simon Green (1st Duan) and Simon King (1st Duan Senior).
All of the 2nd Ji students completed their horse stance requirement without movement - retaining their grading books balanced on their head.
In addition, one upgrading examination was being held for a junior 1st Duan student to be upgraded to 1st Duan senior. He successfully completed ten minutes of horse stance without any muscle tremors and also keeping the book firmly on the top of his head!
Instructor Tina Matania (3rd Duan) calls the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Ji students
to attention ("Li Chen") ready to be assessed by Grandmaster Loke and
Master Adam Goward (5th Duan).2nd Ji students were asked to perform several forms on the fast count inlcuding Pinan form five and Pinan form two.
Mark Hancock (Epsom) - Pinan form 2, fast count.All blue belts were called in front of the class in turn to demonstrate and name (in Chinese of course!) ten techniques selected by Grandmaster Loke. This demonstrated not only the students' grasp of terminology but also their ability to think relatively quickly in a more pressurised environment, and to persevere if they were suffering from 'terminology block'!
2nd Ji student performs Wai pei tang
(outside to inside block).Blue belt students and our Duan student were called upon to perform slow kicking techniques. This was to demonstrate correct technique and also assess the level of muscle tone and mental control achieved.
Students then formed an orderly queue for their jump side kick requirement.
It was such a pleasure to see the break board breaking with a loud 'crack' as students broke the board on their first attempt with well executed kicks.
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Jump inside to outside drop kick (thiau nei chuai ti).
L to R: Graham Towl (1st Duan), Master Adam Goward (5th Duan), Grandmaster Loke and Dr Alejandro Aragon Zavala (3rd Duan).Well done to all the successful candidates for upgrading, and thank you to their families and friends for coming to support them.
Tang Sou!
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