Shunkenkan Ju-Jitsu belt up for next level grading

The road to earning a black belt is long with each incremental step unlocking further potential. The hours of dedicated training and repetitive practice all become worthwhile on grading day.

Guided by Sensei Adrian van der Werken, Shunkenkan Ju-Jitsu held their junior and senior grading day on Saturday, 21 November. From beginner red belts to more advanced purple belts, the self-defence specialists were put through their paces by seasoned facilitators in an effort to prove their worthiness to progress to the next stage of their training.

Ensuring the integrity of the grading, Sensei Adrian brought in outside facilitators from as far afield as the East Rand. Sensei Connor Reynolds got the students’ hearts pounding with an intense warm-up before 6th Dan Sensei, Stuart Kimchin, led the thorough examination of the students’ abilities. “We focus on their technique and execution. However, we can’t ask for someone to do more than their best. We can’t ask for perfection because it is never perfect in the streets,” said the Boksburg-based Kimchin.

Ju-Jitsu is a self-defence focused martial art that empowers those to use the Japanese-crafted techniques to fend off would-be attackers. “My students, juniors and seniors, have truly impressed me during the grading this weekend. Because of Covid we had very limited training time and the regulations added more restrictions, but they did excellent work and made me proud to be their Sensei,” said the veteran Shunkenkan leader.

All students present passed their grading with flying colours and will move up a belt to begin mastering new techniques.

In a world full of lurking dangers, girls and boys of all ages are being given the tools to defend themselves and their dignity. Capable hands guided by calm minds cannot be beaten.