Five new black belts in Kalgoorlie
November 2023 saw 18 senior students pass their gradings before a panel of Kofukan black belts, six in Kalgoorlie and 12 from the Perth/Peel metro dojos.
In Kalgoorlie on 12 November 2023 we welcomed five new Shodan (1st dan) black belts:
- Melissa Robinson
- Eishaan Chand (junior Shodan)
- Jaelle Kyle (junior Shodan)
- Rashall Sumadipradja (junior Shodan)
- Taine Stutley (junior Shodan)
Aiden Snowling also passed to 2nd Kyu brown belt.
The Kalgoorlie grading was conducted by Kalgoorlie instructors Brian Chambers (6th dan) and Rob Sage (2nd dan) along with Don McKay (4th dan) who flew in from Perth.
The Kalgoorlie panel grading also coincided with an intensive training weekend for students, as well as an anti-bullying seminar run by Sensei Don open to the public. Approximately 30 participants joined the free anti-bullying seminar which received excellent feedback. The seminar was supported by the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, which approved a grant to Kofukan Karate Australia to support Don’s travel to Kalgoorlie. The Goldfields YMCA, which is the Kalgoorlie dojo venue, also provided the seminar venue hire free of charge. Kofukan Karate Australia would like to thank the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Goldfields YMCA.
During the seminar weekend, Rob Sage was presented with his official Nidan (2nd dan) certificate after passing his grading in front of Shihan Keiji Tomiyama back in April 2023.
In Meadow Springs Mandurah on 26 November 2023, the following students passed their gradings:
- Aaron Wilkinson (1st Kyu)
- Curtis Koenig (1st Kyu)
- Bradley Mason (2nd Kyu)
- Chelsea Hobson (2nd Kyu)
- Jack Wade (2nd Kyu)
- Lachlan Chapman (2nd Kyu)
- Martin Russell (2nd Kyu)
- Nathaniel Black (2nd Kyu)
- Sandra Kalmar (2nd Kyu)
- Taj Hewson (2nd Kyu)
- Thomas Winckles (2nd Kyu)
- Xander Kalmar (2nd Kyu)
Well done to all students who attempted and passed their gradings.
Kofukan members progressing to 2nd Kyu and 1st Kyu brown belt and to black belt must grade before a panel. This ensures the quality and uniformity of our senior karate-ka. Members can find the grading requirements and assessment criteria for their 2nd Kyu, 1st Kyu and Shodan gradings in the Member Area.
Anti-Bullying Workshop Kalgoorlie, 11-12 November 2023
Panel Grading Meadow Springs Mandurah, 26 November 2023
