Three members of the Club attended the Senior Grading at Bridgwater this year. Alex Edge was hoping to repeat last year's success and advance to blue belt, Min Vincent was going for her first senior grading in the hope of retaining her junior green belt, and Joe was after blue tabs on his Junior green belt.
 There was quite a good turn-out for the grading, but our three still faced some awesome opposition in their fights. Joe was the first out with the Junior green belts, and got through the theory with no difficulty, as usual. Fighting was a different matter and his inexperience in contesting outside the club made it especially challenging for him. He succeeded in winning one of his bouts, which was enough to allow him to perform the first set of kata. He did this with confidence, and was awarded one blue tab to go on his Junior green belt.
Min was easily the youngest and lightest in her group of Seniors, but overcome her earlier attack of nerves to fight all five with tremendous spirit. She did well to win two of her fights, and was awarded her Senior green belt.
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 Alex was also up against tough competition, and did well to win two of his bouts against fellow green belts. As this wasn't enough to allow him to go for his next grade, he was offered another chance if he was prepared to fight against all the Senior blue belts. He rose to the challenge, and stayed on the mat to fight for his blue belt. He was unlucky not to win any of the fights, and we all agreed that he'd worked very hard all day just to stay at the same grade.
All three appeared to be more confident in their theory than most of the others doing the grading. Min and Alex were disappointed not to get a chance to show off their kata, which they have been practising hard for the last few weeks. They all came off the mat undeterred and already looking forward to the next grading.
They were a credit to Torbay Judo Club and Sensei John Cole. Well done Alex, Min and Joe! |
