BLACKBELT GRADING OCTOBER 2011

On saturday 1st Oct the Scottish Tae Kwon Academy held its annual blackbelt grading. Held in the clubs new (do jan) hall at 29 West Stewart St Greenock, and to oversee the grading was AIMAA Master Amrit Kalcutt 6th Degree Blackbelt and founding member of the West Midland School of Tae Kwon Do, Club Instructors Mr Charles Boyle 5th Degree and Mrs Gillian Boyle 3rd Degree Blackbelts.

Nine students graded ages from 10 years old to 39 years old.

All nine students have been training intensely since January and have also undertaken three pre-grading's over the past two months to be able to endure a five and a half hours grading on the day to prove to Master Kalcutt and Mr Boyle they were ready for the challenge laid out to them. All students also had to undergo 10 months of teaching within the academy, which is also a requirement of grading to the black belt ranks.

The morning started off with a half hour warm up, leading into patterns, basic and advanced line work, sparring then on to pad work, self-defence, 3 v's 1sparring for 2nd dan's 2 v's 1 sparring and 2 v's 1 self defence, then on to breaking. All students were on the flour for 5 1/2 hours with only small breaks from time to time to take on water. Students were also tested on there knowledge of Tae Kwon-Do, and had write a 500 word essay on there experiences through Tae Kwon-Do and how it has changed their lives, to be sent to AIMAA president Grandmaster He Il Cho who is based in Hawaii.

Students grading to 1st degree were, Luisa Devine (10), Chloe Morton (13), Alexander Clarke (16) and Elliot McVey (39), these students have trained with us over the past 4 years with the exception of Alexander who joined us last year from his former club in Paisley.

Students grading to 2nd degree were, Louis Rowe (13), Louis has trained within the club for 7 years now, and gained his 1st degree in October 2009.

Students grading to 3rd degree were Aimee Ellis (15), James Lewis (14), Jordan Learie (15) and Nicky Jackson (17). These 4 students have trained within the Academy for about 10 years now some starting as young as 4 years old. Aimee gained her 1st degree in 2005 with James, Jordan and Nicky following in 2006.

All 9 students proved they had the determination and spirit on the day to succeed. High praise was also given to Miss Ellis with Master Kalcutt saying she would make a good instructor 1 day. Master Kalcutt also gave praise to Mr Lewis for his kicking techniques, anyone who has seen Mr Lewis in action will know what he means.

Again Mr & Mrs Boyle would like to thank Mr Colin Moore from Express Holiday Inn Greenock for the kind hospitality towards Master & Mrs Kalcutt

For anyone interested in joining the Academy log onto www.inverclyde-taekwondo.com for more information, or pop into our hall any evening after 5pm. The Academy is offering 1 free week of training to any new members. Classes are offered to students from the age of 3 1/2 years and upwards.