By Niels Seier Schnedler-Sørensen, 3rd Kyu, Yakami Shinsei-ryu Taijutsu & Karate-do, 2nd Kyu., Bujutsu Kodosokukai Jikitai Karate-do, 2nd Kyu., Bujutsu Kodosokukai sports Karate-do.
There is room for everyone - and you can if you want
OK, the journey metaphor is quite embarrassing, but for me the road to 3rd Kyu brown belt has been quite a journey.
Now, I don't want to belittle myself, but it's probably no secret that I'm not very talented at karate, and I'm usually the last to learn the details of both Kihon, Kihon Kumite and Kata. But here I have benefited from great patience and commitment from Jens Hanshi-dai and the other instructors. And thank you for that. The fact that I can achieve a brown belt seems to be the confirmation that with - room for everyone - and you can, if you want - is also put into practice, and is not just words on paper (or a screen). Values and learning principles may look great on paper, but they only have value if they are implemented in daily life, and they will be in Shindenkan.
Well, then the graduation window opened and we had to start on a Saturday with the physical tests and completion tests. But instead, Kimu-Sensei chose that we immediately go to the KataFIT/SKK test and the Ryuha test. According to the plan, this would not happen until the following Sunday. As for KataFIT, I've had a bit of difficulty with the technique in the LowerCrosHIT part, and I continue to have a bit of difficulty getting down far enough into the eji-dachi, especially on the right. I also just got a reprimand for that from Kimu-Sensei. And it was perfectly fine. In Shindenkan there are requirements to be met and it is the same for everyone. I'm actually a big fan of that. It's a level playing field for everyone. I don't want a degree I haven't earned.
The Ryuha test, the practical and technical syllabus test: Well, it was hard and difficult, and unfortunately it didn't go super well for me. There were Kihon combos that were really hard. I really did my best and couldn't have done better. After this there was a session with a little Ryugi, and then Kimu-Sensei told us that for the fitness test we would be assessed based on the ongoing fitness tests we have completed in Fitness World/PureGym. The candy test means that you have to lie in the areas high to very high for your age group. Here I had constantly fulfilled the requirement and had then passed here. I keep up my fitness all year round, with runs and a bit of spinning. Here, I have great respect for the requirements that the younger people have to meet. For a 64-year-old like me, the requirement doesn't feel that hard, and I'm actually quite happy with a fitness figure of 39. The session then ended with Kimu-Sensei announcing that we had all passed the day's tests. It was a great joy and a great relief, as I wasn't quite sure in my own head that I deserved to pass. So many thanks to Kimu-Sensei for this.
So on June 15, the day of the summer meeting arrived. I had the great pleasure of having my family in the audience. The day started with the OBC qualification, where I took part in task-Fighting 1 and 2 and for Kenjutsu 1 and Kotachi 2. After that I went to the training, where the task was to make Bunkai according to one of the high-ranking kata, I have unfortunately forgotten which , I did that together with Steffen and it was extremely enjoyable. By the way, good to have you back Steffen! Then there was the Kata elimination race, where I unfortunately got to fumble in a sequence. Not so lucky. But it helped as I was subsequently one of those who had cleared the OBC final exam.
Then we came to the highlight of the day: the stamina test for Kjeld Renshi, Pia Shidoin, William and the undersigned. A cordon had been set up around where it was supposed to take place. It was really nice. It's super nice to have the other Shindenkaners and spectators cheering. But just fine they didn't get too close. Shisho Michael was to hold the pillow for me. What I was particularly concerned with was psyching myself up to remember to breathe. I had confidence that my fitness was good enough, but I feared that I would forget to breathe and die for it. But I agreed with Shisho Michael that he should remind me about the breathing. The first round of punches went quite well, but I could feel that already here the heart rate was rising. Good help from Shisho Michael to vary which punch series were good to use to avoid using too much power.
Then came the final round with both kicks and punches. I could feel it pulling its teeth, and I could feel that now a lot of energy had been extracted. and now it was all about the will and of course getting the breath right down to the belly, which Shisho Michael was good at reminding me of. Luckily it worked and then I felt Kimu-Sensei's hand on my shoulder and a message to stop. After a hug from my beloved wife, I could stand up and cheer on the other three who were up for the test, and who had to go through the tortures a bit longer than me. Luckily it stopped for them too, and my greatest respect to Kjeld Renshi, Pia Shidoin and William.
Then we came to the final line-up of the summer meeting, and then I was asked by Kimu-Sensei to take a step forward and was told that I had passed, luckily the three other BB/SB graduates also got that message. After that it was up to the podium where Kimu-Sensei officially announced that we had graduated.
I was happy and proud and many thanks to the many who congratulated and hugged me. I have always felt welcome at Shindenkan, so I was once again confirmed that there is room for everyone and you can if you want - also where it is more persistence and stubbornness than talent that drives the work.
