After one laaaaaang week with a physical test the Sunday before, another 3 stop tests on Friday as well as the spring rent on Saturday 20 March, concluding with the pillow challenge, it was a tired but happy family that drove home - Anders had won the 3rd kyu and signed the 2nd kyu in Yakami Shinsei-ryu . It had been a long few days with both ups and downs, which had to be overcome in order to progress in the graduation.

In contrast to the 3rd kyu, the preparations for the graduation have been less intense, but more protracted and sustained over the past 12 months. There is no doubt that the 3rd kyu's graduation was a "wake-up call" that emphasized the importance of continuous performance between graduations - which then peaked at graduation. Going from the blue belt to the brown requires a mental shift and not least a sincere desire to get the next belt (With us, the brown belt usually also corresponds to the black belt in many other martial arts systems). A heartfelt desire that must be present in the interior and shine out to the outside world at all future graduations. So the preparations have extended far beyond the normal training hours in the club, There has been training regularly every second or third Friday for a long time either in the training facilities at work or in the Dojo in Ballerup. Thanks to a really good camaraderie in Ballerup's TG3, this has not only been a good support but socially enjoyable, as everyone contributes with different aspects of the curriculum - and which collectively makes everyone stronger.

The fitness has been maintained over the past 12 months, with regular circles and runs on the treadmill during lunch breaks at work, as well as running training with Anders in the neighborhood since Christmas. These runs supported the whole family around with the youngest on a bike, the eldest sister and the mother in jogging clothes. So the tiring thing was turned into a family activity for the benefit of both Anders and me.

Carrying out the physical test was painless. The circle was completed within the given framework in a reasonable time and the Cooper test went well, with an "overflow" in relation to the minimum requirements for the class of 1960... So keeping up the form is extremely appropriate in relation to the next graduation, as there will be more time to concentrate on the other disciplines. It was important for me to know my optimal running rhythm, i.e. which starting speed as well as the incremental increase in speed to reach the planned distance. And this can only be practiced on a treadmill.

Up until the next stop test on Friday, the training and optimization of kihon, kata, shio etc. were practiced intensively both during the lunch break at work and at home in the living room when the family had gone to bed. One evening was devoted to "studying" the syllabus with my dear "Koncollega" Henrik from Ballerup, who was also going to 2. kyu graduation. It was a long evening, but clearly fruitful, as each emphasizes different things in the curriculum. This sparring gives you a broader view of the very large amount of information in the curriculum handbook. So a good piece of advice for everyone going up – form study groups and use each other.

A lot of time was spent visualizing the upcoming stop tests in relation to the learning points I had extracted from the graduation to 3rd kyu for approx. 1 year ago below:

• Choose a location in first row so that the influence from the others is minimized.
• Keep focus on what needs to be done - and believe it - continually.
• Shut everything else out.
• Roof "you good time” for the exercises – avoid being paced by the others.
• Know your fabric – front and back.

It was my desire and clear intention to live these learning points as much as possible. So during the week I felt I was ready for the big day with the three stop tests. I knew my katas and shihos - and was "fit for fight". When the day dawned and we finally stood in the Dojo, there were still butterflies in my stomach.

It was a hectic 1½ hours that followed with technical skills under Kimu Sensei's direct instruction, where, despite 11 graduates, you constantly feel monitored and have to bite your tongue when you make mistakes, so as not to fall in and show his irritation. You would think that with a similar graduation behind you, you would be seasoned, but it just wasn't like that. After this session it was time for the oral syllabus test (questions and understanding of the syllabus, names and concepts) where Kimu Sensei asks questions throughout the syllabus book - and I mean all syllabus. The questions come fluently with the expectation that answers will come back just as fluently - which, however, was not quite the case.

I tried to live up to the learning from the last graduation that "you have to stick to - but remember to mark when you know the answer". After a slightly fluctuating performance, but without feedback from Kimu Sensei, it was made clear for Task-fighting/free-combat. Initially, the duelists went through Task Fight 1 (with an appropriate safety distance), then Task Fight 2 with "skin touch", after which 100 % were declared against each other and against the black belts present. This got the adrenaline pumping and for some meant blood could be tasted – literally. It was an intense free-fight session, but very educational both mentally and technically and physically.

But it wasn't until the following day that the various scares showed themselves in the form of soreness and many large bruises. Much more intense than what I have previously experienced - but it was a great session. One of my learning points in this kind of free fight is to keep a cool head, don't get carried away and try to keep an overview. Identify your opponents' weak points and go after them – there is no time to explore and try out different techniques like in training in the Dojo. Use the techniques that currently work against this particular opponent. You must maintain control of yourself and the opponent at all times. And all the learning principles THANKS, MY and CT suddenly take on a completely different meaning. And last but not least save your energy, "for it ain't over before Kimu Sensei says so".

Well tired, slightly bruised, we were asked to take something to drink and wait while Kimu Sensei evaluated the head instructors. Afterwards, we were called in individually so that Kimu Sensei could give personal feedback on each of the day's three stop tests. Everything was passed except for the oral test of the syllabus. Here some of us were asked to meet a little earlier the next morning, as there would be a re-examination in the syllabus - we were, however, happy to get the chance to make it right again. It was thus with "joy" that the evening was rounded off, even though there were several hours of reading ahead of us during the night.

Tired but clear, we showed up the next morning to the spring tenant, a little earlier than usual, while we waited to get to the final oral review before the start of the spring tenant. The night's studies bore fruit and everyone was on to the final challenge of the day – a training camp followed by the famous "punching and kicking the pillow test". The camp went well and besides being on all the time, it was important to stay warm while the other graduations were on. It was a long wait and it was quite a relief to be called to the floor to do kihon, shio and kata. As I said, the graduation ended with a "go amok" pillow fight and a big thank you to the encouraging spectators and not least to Christian, from Jokokan Frederiksberg, who encouragingly took the punches and kicks for 7-8 minutes - although it felt more like ½ hour. After the last punch and kick was placed in the cushion, there was a short warm-up session before we could "finally" line up and await our "result" - the climax of many months.

It was with great relief that Kimu Sensei could announce that I and the other brown and black belt graduates had passed. I had thus reached 2nd kyu Yakami Shinsei-ryu and 1st kyu Kodosoku-kai Gensei-ryu Karate-do – which I am personally happy and proud of. Not least considering that I could barely spell karate 5½ years ago, and even less had I considered "cultivating" it. But the joy was also great that Anders, my son, got 3rd kyu Yakami Shinsei-ryu and 2nd kyu Kodosoku-kai Gensei-ryu Karate-do. It was a perfect day and a wonderful feeling. Despite fatigue from many days of toil and little sleep, I stayed awake for the subsequent church concert, where the other children in the family sing in choir. In fact, it allowed for a little evaluation from one of the back seats.

A big thank you to all karate colleagues (who have been really good sparring partners) who have been part of this journey, the family who are willing to support to the extent necessary and to Jens Kyoshi as a very inspiring, committed and tireless instructor ..

That same evening I collected the thoughts from the church and made an evaluation of the progress of the graduation. The three main learning points that I take away from this session are:

• Stay in good physical shape so that at any time you can do three circles and run a Cooper's test that meets the requirements.
• Do not underestimate the extent of the oral syllabus test – the entire syllabus must be read and mastered, not only for the sake of graduation but in order to be the role model expected of a brown belt in everyday life and in the dojo.
• Keep focus on what needs to be done - and believe it - continually. Why start doubting what lies ahead in daily training and in the curriculum training sessions. So the ability to shut off everything else, when the battle must be stopped, must be trained in the coming period - this is what gives one the advantage and ensures "survival" on the battlefield.