Region 2 Grading at Haywards Heath
10 September 2006
by Wayne Parsons,
1st Duan Senior (East Grinstead)
(photographs also by Wayne Parsons)
Simon Green, 1st Duan Senior (Tunbridge Wells) with other students
of Master Goward: hou ma bu (backstance)On the 10th September a Region 2 grading was hosted at the Dolphin Leisure Centre, Haywards Heath.
The grading was well attended by students of all grades, including some students grading for the first time. Before the grading there was an hour's lesson taken by Master Adam Goward (6th Duan), Regional Director for Surrey, Sussex and Kent. This gave students the opportunity to practice and fine-tune techniques, including forms, under the watchful eye of Master Goward and his assistants. Tina Matania (3rd Duan) Epsom Downs instructor, Nick Envagorou (2nd Duan) Croydon Instructor, Simon Green (1st Duan Senior) Tunbridge Wells and Wayne Parsons (1st Duan Senior) East Grinstead instructor.
10th and 9th Ji students perform chorng duan chuen chee (middle punch)Once the lesson was over students were given a short break before it was time to start the serious business of the grading. The Grading was presided over by Master Goward with the assistance of Miss Matania and Mr Evagorou.
Students were asked to demonstrate numerous techniques including stances and were tested on their terminology knowledge. They were also asked to demonstrate the required forms for upgrading as well as three and one step sparring. When it came to sparring (tooi ta) students were tested to see how they could cope with the pressure of sparring with a student of more seniority than themselves. This left only one element to complete, breaking techniques (Huey Kong).
A young 9th ji student (yellow tag):
chean chuai ti (front thrust kick)This was a truly great display with all students making light work of the boards. The grading was a great success and congratulations to all those who passed.
Tang Sou!
Wayne Parsons, 1st Duan Senior (East Grinstead)
7th Ji students: tau sou kong chee (knife hand strike)
Master Goward addresses the 7th and 8th Ji students, correcting their positions. Instructor Tina Matania, 3rd Duan (Epsom) watchesComment by Master Adam Goward (6th Duan)
Regional Director, Surrey, Sussex & KentThe September grading is usually smaller than the others due to students being away over the holiday period of July and August and therefore not having the required amount of lessons to take their next belt. However the twenty or so students who turned up performed well, especially considering I had more time to test them.
I would like to commend the senior belts who turn up regularly at the grading, this shows a good martial art attitude to attend and encourage those who are being graded also to assist during the examination. After all, when students are being tested it is right that they should have to perform in front of their peers and superiors to demonstrate that they are worthy of their next belt. As a Ji grade myself I realised that it was my duty to attend, learning Tang Sou Dao does not flow one way, gradings gives you a chance to put something back.
San puh tooi ta (three step sparring)
Lewis Richardson, 1st Ji (Haywards Heath) provides
sparring practice for young 3rd Ji students
A young 6th ji student (orange belt) performs his drop kick
The back of the heel strikes the centre of the break-board
Hou chuai ti (back thrust kick) - half way
Hou chuai ti (back thrust kick) fully extendedTang Sou!
© Ren Yi Wu Kwan Tang Sou Dao, All Rights Reserved
