This weekend Solis Ortus celebrated its 78th grading, since 1978, and carved a new chapter in its history book. Grading day was a successful, positive and fruitful experience for our karatekas. We had 189 graders who succeeded their grading to the next belt level. Solis Ortus stand proud to acknowledge each individual exceled in their karate, but also how abundantly they enjoy their karate.
For some karatekas it was their first grading, for others the experience was more nerve wrecking, and of course for our senior belts, grading was an emotional roller coaster.
We started bright and early with our Mini graders (3-5 years old). They looked too cute in their karate Gi’s (suits). The minis outshined themselves in their grading course and did everything with precision, determination, loud kiais and good spirit. Oh my goodness, did they know their terminology! It is so adorable to hear them count and repeat the Japanese terminology. We are so proud of our little ninjas growing up to become great karate stars one day. The minis are developing in a strong and well-designed karate foundation to eventually support their abilities in their karate journeys. With bliss they graded to mini yellow, mini orange and mini blue.
Our junior gradings, Yellow 1 to Blue, showed good progress and express a promising individual succeeding to higher belts. It was impressive to observe some of our white belts showing great potential as newbies on their new karate journey. Well done to all our junior graders, you have shown great growth and good spirit. Keep on growing but above all keep on enjoying your karate!
The standard of our more senior belt levels, Purple 1 to Brown, were exceptionally high. They showed more power, strength, precision and understanding what karate is all about. The 3K’s are forming a well-developed foundation as you are becoming more mature and understand the why of karate. This group have great form and stances. Well done, we are immensely proud of you all.
And then, the emotional roller coaster of nerves, excitement and pride step onto the floor. Eight karatekas graded to Kuy 3 and Kuy 2; Junior Black 2 and Junior Black 1. This grading was tough and the graders needed to prove their character and spirit to be able to pass this grading. With persistence, they all persevered. It was incredible to be an observer on the panel, as it reminded us how intense and privileged it was to grade in this group. The cream of the crop emerging to become the next Black Belt generation in Solis Ortus. Two karatekas graded to Junior Black 1 and had their last grading in the dojo and achieved the status of our next generation. We have four new Junior Black 2 karatekas. Remember: “A black belt is a white belt who never gave up!”
To all our karatekas we congratulate you on a well-deserved and brilliant grading. Without you, Solis Ortus cannot build a heritage and we are extremely proud to have you part of our club.
Thank you to our parents who dedicated their time to our karate students, who helped them to enjoy and love karate as a sport. To all our Instructors and assistant Instructors, thank you for your dedication in teaching our karatekas. Thank you to Sensei Eugene for being our role model, we look up to you and will follow your lead. There is only ONE WAY, JKA! JKA, ONE WAY!
Solis Ortus sending warm wishes to you and your family during this Christmas Season. May your home be blessed with love and happiness. If you are going away, please drive safely. See you all 8 January 2018!
Written by: Heilethe Calitz