JKS Tallaght makes the Grade

JKS Tallaght welcomed Dermot O Keeffe Sensei 7th Dan JKS recently for their annual summer seminar and belt grading examinations.

The Branch Leader of JKS Ireland delivered an hour-long technical class getting all the students to focus on improving their stances, kicks and punches.

Following the seminar Dermot Sensei presided over the grading examinations as each student showed off their progress since the last grading.

The young tigers group of Chelsey, Georgia, Sadhbh, Radell and Amelia were led through their basics, kumite and kata by Philip and Eoghan Sensei.

They all attained the 10th kyu grade for their skills.

The junior beginner group put on an excellent display of strong techniques with no assistance from their Sensei and Oliver, Isabella, Madison and Duaa all passed their 10th kyu grade with flying colours.

Neo and Rui were out on the floor on their own and showed off their progress over the last six months to gain their 9th kyu belt.

Saanvi, Scott, and Rose were next up attempting 8th kyu with Saanvi achieving the full 8th kyu red belt grade, while Rose and Scott achieved 8th Mon red and white stripe belt.

The next group out was the large contingent of junior red belt students testing for yellow belts.

They worked hard in front of Dermot Sensei to show the progress they have made since the last grading examination and Ryan, Pirteek, Jamie-Leigh, Lily, Lace, Sebastian and Erin earned their yellow belts for their efforts while Gintaras earned his yellow and white stripe belt.

The senior men put on an excellent display of what can be achieved by adults in karate and Tony McDowell and David O Reilly were both rewarded with achieving their 7th kyu yellow belts.

Four students presented for the intermediate 6th kyu green belt examination with the examination criteria being a little more complex at this level, Yuvraj and Ryleigh achieved their 6 mon green with white stripe belt while Eric and Aaron progressed to their 8th kyu full green belt.

The final examinations of the evening were Codey and Ruby who presented for 5th kyu purple belt and 4th kyu 2nd purple belt respectively.

At this advanced level the examination demands are greater and Codey and Ruby worked hard to demonstrate they had achieved the required standard at this level to successfully attain their new belts.

Dermot Sensei was pleased with the standard on show on the night and said the students were a credit to JKS Tallaght and its Sensei.

“I am relieved the exams are over” Philip Sensei said, “It’s hard work preparing everyone for their exam, each group has a different syllabus and kata and it can be a bit nerve wrecking on the day as you hope everyone will pass.

Thankfully they all did extremely well, a good standard and I’m very pleased with everyone’s results.”