By Martin S. Hansen, Member until 2012

A small personal story, regarding my experience around my 7.kyu graduation at X-mas camp 11 Dec. 2010.

The selection for 7.kyu took place at a local training session a week before the event at Søren Renshi, during which they were asked if there were any doubts about the syllabus. No doubt at all, by participating in 3xcurriculum training + local training, it would just sit in the cupboard I thought!!

 The X-mas camp started, spirits were high, lovely songs and Christmas farts. It was (personally) a really good time training at this event, compared to the 2 previous events I have participated in. There was intensity, focus and mood on the boy, nice first with Tai Chi pace and then full hammer.

Yes, then came the test, the graduation, "what are you good at for the presentation". You go and mentally prepare for the event, until you are called. There are always butterflies in the stomach, because you are well aware that you will be looked at both as a director, but also as a spectator. With aching old soccer legs that had become a little stiff after the break between training and graduation, I walked on the floor with the others at the same level. Immediately Ippon - as well as Sanbon Kumite and Shiho´en - went ok, but it could well have been better, there were some problems with the balance!

Then came the Kata, as well as the famous clap that goes down when something particularly spectacular has to be done. It was really strange, it felt like I was in a trance, I "performed" 2 Kata's and funnily enough I didn't really understand what I was doing! It was as if I was confused by what was happening around me with the other practitioners, some of whom were moving faster and some slower than myself. Exactly this problem, I discovered in all the Kata's. Focus and attitude were as if ripped away, especially when Kimu Sensei ordered "one more time".

In the middle of graduation, I discovered that I have a problem with keeping focus and attitude when I'm out on the floor! "Yes, thank you", was then said from Jens Kyoshi, and onto the bench I went. Since then, I have pondered and pondered over what happened. The conclusion is probably that I need some help from Søren Renshi, who just needs to teach me something about self-control, as well as believing in oneself in situations where you are in the center.

Although the 7th Kyu was passed, it was not received with pride. There were far too many personal mistakes, I thought. But again, I learned a lot anyway. There will be something to work on, you are a devil's man up in your head before the event, but when it finally comes down to it you have the feeling that it all falls to the floor. But as they say; you become wise from injury.