FIRST Kyu students Natasha Donaghy of Peterhead and Donna McCalman of Fraserburgh, members of the Shi-Gaku-Kan Karate Club, achieved the world-renowned status of Black Belt (Shodan Grade) last week.
The honour was awarded under the careful eye of 6th Dan World Class Karate Master, Sensei Nobuaki Kanazawa, the oldest son of Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa, president of SKIF and one of the world's most renowned and respected traditional karate masters.
On his annual pilgrimage to the North East Sensei Nobuaki Kanazawa visited the Fraserburgh Dojo in Alexandra Terrace. Sensei Nobuaki fascinated junior members with his expertise in the technical expressions of SKIF Shotokan martial arts. The expert held his audience entranced with an amazing demonstration of heian katas, basic fighting and defensive techniques before he graded the enthusiastic junior members.
Next it was time for the senior students to enjoy an intensive warm-up followed by basic kihon training, performed individually, and kumite partner sparring work.
Before the main grading event of the evening Sensei Nobuaki's training session showed the enthralled students the mechanics of Kata Bassia Dia, a sequence of choreographed defensive and attacking movements, sculpted to fight imaginary yet hostile foes.
To end the evening, the nervous but talented pair of Natasha and Donna were called to the floor to attempt their Black Belt (Shodan Grade) for the first time.
Both students have trained for many years for this moment to prove them worthy of such an elevated status, culminating in up to five sessions a week pounding the dojo floor.
However, all the extra training paid off as both students performed brilliantly in the categories of Kata, Kumite and Kihon, guaranteeing their Black Belt status.
Sensei Mark Donaghy of Shigakukan Club said: "It was a remarkable achievement for Natasha and Donna.
"It needs dedication and commitment spread over several years. Many students start along this path but unfortunately most fall by the wayside."
Both girls expressed huge thanks to their Sensei Mark, 5th Dan, and Libby Donaghy, 3rd Dan, for the extra time, effort and support dedicated to them prior to their special evening.
Congratulations and well done to all students who supported, trained and graded with Sensei Nobuaki Kanazawa.
Shigakukan Club has classes in Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Aberdeen. For more information please call Sensei Mark or Libby Donaghy on (01779) 477737.
