By Bertrand Bourgeat, Member until 2022

Together with Michael, Christian and Oliver, I completed the physical test in fine style in a training room in the basement under Glostrup Hospital. That was over, it was just a matter of waiting patiently for it to be time for the X-Mas camp and the last four stop tests. The week was used to intensively study the syllabus and train at home in the living room. Immediately before the X-Mas camp, this time there was also a LUS – Leader Development Seminar – for invited brown and black belts. It started on Friday night and ran straight into the X-Mas camp, which was scheduled to start Saturday noon.

For this LUS, it was announced that we would spend a lot of time on Koryo Naihanchi II. The seminar focused on training the very basic movement dynamics. The starting point for the exercises was that "if you want to finish right, you have to start right" and we trained based on ido-unsuku. But on top of this a new element was added – tai-segyo – body control.

Only in the evening was training in the dojo over and we were divided into groups. Three tasks were set, which we had to solve together. The first two were analysis and presentation tasks, the last one was to prepare a display for the X-Mas camp the following day. When it was 23:00 we finished the preparations and I cycled home to bed.

The next day we were supposed to meet at 8:00. This third part of the seminar focused on training in presentation techniques. One team at a time, we were invited up to present. Sensei then took good and bad examples out of the individual presentations and no detail was too small. Everything from how to get up from the chair, point to the screen, voice, to the facial expressions of the other team members were reviewed. Then the new Project Old Modern Warrior and pistol shooting were discussed after which we were sent back into the dojo.

We started with repetition from the day before and then moved on to techniques in generating power for lateral movement through manipulation of the shoulders and hips. Really fun and a bit difficult here at the start. I didn't know my body had so many joints. In the middle of it all, I was drawn in for graduation.

The graduation test number two in ryugi started as usual with Sensei looking up the syllabus handbook and starting to ask questions. I had scrutinized Ryugi extra thoroughly this time, but still I felt that there were important things that I hadn't caught. If you want to be on the safe side, you have to know the first 74 pages by heart... Nevertheless, I passed and a little later we were on to the ryuha test.

The Ryuha test lasted 30-45 minutes where we were asked to do different kihon, kata and tai-sabaki. Some of them were variations that I know we have never trained before. I gave it full throttle and did my best. As I got tired I could see my technique getting worse and worse. Finally the test was over and we had all passed the third stop test. We were now asked to get ready for the kumite test.

As part of the preparation, Sensei had told us to find out if we were clear. I found gloves and a mouthguard as I looked into the other training room, where the others at LUS were looking expectantly at us. I knew from the last camp that Sensei likes to play pranks to put mental pressure on us and this time was no exception. Suddenly it swarmed in with black and brown belts from LUS and they all had their battle gear on! A beautiful sight! After this, Sensei proclaimed that we should fight them all at once… Well, it wasn't supposed to be that way anyway – even if it felt that way later.

We were told that it was 100% kumite, however only with punches and kicks on the body. I sensed from the start that I was not clear and it became quite clear along the way. Among other things, I neglected to carry out a strangulation and wasted a lot of valuable energy while I was lying "hugging" with Oliver. The opponents were constantly replaced with new, fresh opponents. I was getting more and more tired and heavy in the arms but it didn't seem to bother my opponents. I ended up in a strangulation, which was well executed by Jan, but I couldn't really find the will to strike again. In the end I was up against Søren Renshi, and although I sensed that he was holding back a bit, the punches and kicks rained mercilessly on me. I did my best to keep it running, to economize on my efforts and to keep an overview. And as suddenly as it had begun, it was over and the fourth stop test passed.

Then followed a good X-Mas camp with concentrated training, fine displays and a good atmosphere, after which it was time for the last stop test – the stamina and will test. In short, you have to punch and kick pillows continuously for 3 x 2-4 minutes - or so. Jens Hanshi-dai had arranged himself to hold the cushion for Oliver, but suddenly Sensei announced that the head instructors should hold the cushion for their own students. Jens Hanshi-dai went over to me and said in a low voice – and with a twinkle in his eyes – that he would have preferred to have one of the small opponents. It probably made me unconsciously hold back a bit to save Jen's Hanshi-dai, because after the first round Sensei said that now I should get my act together. Then the pillow was punched and kicked the best I knew how, while I was constantly trying to economize with my strength and breathe. It was a really hard exercise, but you are carried forward by people who clap and cheer you on.

I passed 1st kyu Yakami Shinsei-ryu Karate-do. The entire graduation was characterized by a safe, serious and friendly atmosphere. There is an incredibly good camaraderie and togetherness in Shindenkan, which helps to make it easier to complete. Even when pressure is put on one, one knows that it is for one's own good and to help one further - step by step.

The essence of karate is thorough preparation. I must therefore already start preparing for the next graduation. I have decided that I will now stay in shape and that I will structure my training efforts. And this time there is also a mental dimension that I have to work with. The question is why I wasn't clear during kumite and not least: what does it take to become clear!?