By Jokokan Honbu

With a cheering chorus of over 60 Jokokan comrades and friends, the two new black belts completed the final part of the graduation test; Jokokan's Shiai (freestyle). Jokokan only uses freestyle during brown and black belt graduations, which helps to create tough, strong-willed and self-realistic brown and black belts at Jokokan.

Jokokan's freestyle is very tough and realistic, as there are almost no rules. You just shouldn't intentionally injure the opponent too violently - even though every year there are graduates who voluntarily go to the emergency room for a subsequent review of minor knocks.

To minimize the risk of injury, both graduates had gone through and passed Jokokan's physical test package with flying colors two weeks in advance. What was later revealed to both Jokokan comrades and spectators was that the graduates did indeed have minor injuries, but both WOULD complete the full graduation package and this was not up for debate.

Everyone agreed that they did it really well, as an extra spicy ending to Jokokan's annual Winter Training Camp 2003.

Søren Nielsen, who is Head Instructor at the new Jokokan school; Jokokan Amager Karate School, passed his 1.dan, Yakami-ryu Gensei Karate-do, and 1.kyu Yakami-ryu Taijutsu.

Søren Nielsen is then graduated in the following:

1.Dan, Yakami-ryu Gensei Karate-do (2003)
1.Kyu, Yakami-ryu Taijutsu (2003)
1st dan, Gensei-ryu Karate-do (1992)

Martin Hansen, who is the Chief Instructor at Jokokan Korsør Karate School, passed his 1st dan, Yakami-ryu Taijutsu.

Martin Hansen is then graduated in the following:

1st Dan, Yakami-ryu Taijutsu, Omote (2003)
1.Dan, Yakami-ryu Gensei Karate-do (2002)

Soke Sensei Tonegawa, Kaicho JEU and Country Manager JDK wish you hearty congratulations”.