First Grading at Solis Ortus 2018
Congratulations to all our karatekas who graded this weekend. It is extremely rewarding to see how our karatekas improved and succeeded to their next belt level. Our karate standard is high and Solis Ortus stand proud to each and every one of you.
Traditionally we always start with our mini karatekas. All dressed up like little polar bears they arrived bright and early to come and show their skills to our grading panel. Adorable, sweet and with great spirit they concurred their fundamental skills examination with loud kiais and immense pride.
Well done to our future little champions, we are so proud of you!
After intense and hard training preparing for the grading, you all arose from all your fears and came prepared with determination to earn your next belt. To all our white belts who graded for the first time; well done! You all came with the utmost karate etiquette and perseverance to overcome your uncertainty of what is expected. With goose bumps and awe we solute you all. Keep up the good work, always remember the basics of your karate and you will grow into a good karateka as you grade to higher belts.
Our coloured belt groups also accomplished a higher standard in their grading and presented their karate skills with flying colours. Grading is a good measurement to improve yourself and to understand that karate basics; Kihon (basics), Kata (form) and Kumite (sparring) are the foundation of good karate in the future. During grading you get measured of how you have developed in your current belt, and then be recognised for your progress, and the reward is to succeed to the next belt level.
The higher belt groups, brown and up gradings are much more intense and on a different level as for the coloured belts. Endurance, competence, technique, fitness and perseverance are key to this level grading. Solis Ortus is immeasurably proud of the standard of our senior belt groups. You earned every stripe on your belt and deserved to be promoted to your next level. Solis Ortus is building a strong history in developing good karatekas for the future.
This year Solis Ortus is celebrating a rich history of 40 years. We have added to this history the first free fighting event in our Special needs division at SA JKA Nationals. To top this achievement we have graded one of our special needs karatekas, James van Zyl, for the last time in the dojo to Junior Black. His next grading will be Shodan. James, we are extremely proud of you. You have excelled in so many ways as a karateka, and achieved the highest ranking in Solis Ortus history. We wish you all the best and luck on your karate journey and are looking forward to celebrate with you your Shodan grading.
As always, Sensei Eugene and his team of instructors and assistance were well prepared and on schedule with the grading program. Thank you to all our parents for your support and to all our karatekas for your loyalty, etiquette and performance on grading day.
Be proud, frame your achievements, not everyone has a karate belt. Never ever give up. The more we learn, the more I realize how much we have to learn. Remember karate is a journey, black belt is not the destination, it is the start.
Karate builds our character, and with a strong character you can achieve anything in life.
We cannot wait to see you all in your new belts!
Written by: Heilethe Calitz