Guernsey Course and New Dan Grades

The Guernsey Sankukai Karate Club held a training course and grading examination last weekend with the British Sankukai Karate Association’s Chief Instructor, Sensei Calvin Collins, 6th Dan who was making a visit to Guernsey from the UK. The course was held over a weekend and covered 6 hours of intensive training. On the Friday evening and Saturday morning, students of all ages and ability took part in learning and practicing punching techniques with double hip-twist using focus pads for more impact! We also went through katas Juroku, and Bassai-Sho. In addition we ran through the concepts of Suri-Ashi, Sugi-Ashi, Oi-Ashi, and Surikomi – principally moving forwards and backwards in stances.

The grading examination took place on Saturday afternoon with Sensei Collins, assisted by local instructors Mick White (5th Dan), Andy Garnham (5th Dan), and Shaun Lacey (5th Dan).

The grading took nearly 2 hours in total, with Emanuele (‘Manny’) Sensi gaining his 1st Dan black belt, and Phil Guilbert gaining his 3rd Dan black belt. The students had to demonstrate basic techniques such as punches, blocks and kicks, combinations, and both basic and advanced kata. To finish off the students undertook traditional sparring or ‘kumite’ with plenty of spirit!