Kyokushin karate-Adrienne, Pinchon promoted to black belt |27 August 2010

The grading session was conducted by local Kyokushin branch chief, Shihan Phillip Moustache 6th dan black belt, with the help of Sensei Phillip Verghese 4th dan as the grading officer.

Ah Loon Ho-Sap and Emma Cadeau, who are preparing for their Shodan grading in April 2011, also took part in the grading along with other students who were attempting their brown belt grade.

During the grading, the karatekas were required to demonstrate all the basic and advanced techniques of Kyokushin karate, which include Ido Kihon (standing basics), Ido Geiko (moving basics), Renraku (combinations) and kata (forms). 

Their physical ability was tested by means of numerous strength and endurance exercises. The students were required to perform katas up to the grade they were attempting.

Kumite (fighting) was undoubtedly the hardest part of the test, with the number of opponents varying according to the grade being attempted. The two black belt candidates had to fight 20 opponents with all the fights being conducted under the International Karate Organisation (IKO) full contact rules. They were cheered on by a large crowd of colleagues and parents who had turned up to witness the event. Pinchon and Adrienne demonstrated Kyokushin’s fighting spirit, and despite being knocked down several times they were still standing by the last fight.
 
Shihan Moustache then informed them that they had succeeded in their test and promoted them to the rank of 1st dan with the title of Sempai. They received their belts in a short ceremony on Tuesday.

Ryan Pragassen was promoted to the rank of 1st kyu brown belt and will be eligible to test for the Shodan in a year’s time provided he continues to train.
 
Paul Gédéon and Adrian Naidoo were promoted to 2nd kyu brown belt, while Joeanne Pragassen and Daniel Morgan were promoted to 3rd kyu green belt.

The recent gradings bring the number of Japanese-registered black belt holders in Seychelles to 55 – the highest number of Kyokushin black belts in the region.

Meanwhile, the Kyokushin school will be celebrating 25 years of existence this month and as part of the celebrations, it has invited the chairman of Kyokushin in Africa, Shihan Kenny Uytenbogaardt 7th dan, here to conduct training sessions, gradings and officiate at a tournament to be held on September 18.