BUSSELTON Martial Arts Dojo Bukido Taijutsu hosted senior gradings for eight candidates during the holiday period.
Eight hours of non-stop technical testing saw the biggest senior grading ever conducted by sensei Phil Holt since the club was formed 10 years ago.
Matthew Hilyard and Shane Blackman both sat the test for their brown belt.
This involved weapons handling, strategy and sparring, grappling, wrestling and multiple opponent exercises.
“This is an extremely taxing grading where the student is pushed to their limit and tested in a really diverse skill set,” Holt said.
Five juniors also sat the test for their junior black belt.
“These kids did really well with some of them putting in five to six years of dedicated training,” he said.
“They have showed a high level of discipline and technical ability for such young people.
“They had to perform most of their grading with adults and gave as good as they got.”
The highlight of the grading was the testing of the first senior black belt by Tim Birch.
He was punished through extremely complex weaponry, grappling, ground fighting, sparring, multiple opponent sparring, techniques and meditation philosophy.
“The aim in this grading is to test the depth of understanding over all facets of martial arts,” Holt said.
“We try to prepare the students for random situations so they can cope with anything.
“This art is not a sport or just the learning of some fighting techniques – it is really a study of your own personal potential.”
Birch performed so well in the grading he was also awarded the honorific title of sensei indicating his years of experience and the ability to teach others.
For more information about Bukido Taijutsu contact sensei Phil Holt on 0438 386 012 or visit bukidotaijutsu.com.
