Grading December 2019
This was a special year for the school as a new black belt was graded. It is always an honour to watch a student persevere for years to improve themselves, perfecting their techniques night after night and ultimately getting to the day when 4-5 years of learning and training are tested to achieve the black belt level. This year was the grading of Charles Ritchie. Charles is a young man of talent and dedication to the martial arts. Fit and knowledgeable Charles was prepared well for his test. In the past few years Charles has also led the class in the warmups and basics which is also part of the test for black belt and he assists his mum Dai Sije Lianne with her karate club at the Koraunui school. Strong basics, good kata and sparring performances saw Charles through the requirements of the test. Dai Sije Lianne, Charles' proud mum presented him with his Black Belt and he is now the newest sihing of the school.
Sihing Geoff this year graded for his second dan black belt. Having demonstrated a number of advanced kata and weapons and having taught many classes over the past three years since his 1st dan grading he was graded to second dan. Sihing Geoff is a great example of continued training in karate after achieving the black belt level. There is always so much more to learn and in-depth understanding of techniques which only happens once one reaches the dan levels.
In addition Matthew also graded for his Orange belt. Matthew demonstrated a good understanding of the Yellow belt syllabus and although quite young at twelve years of age he performed good kata, basics and self defence techniques. Matthew has a lot of potential following in the footsteps of his dad Geoff who is one of the black belts of our school.
Also Kendra who joined us this year and trains with Sifu Peter and Dai Sihing Arron was awarded the light brown belt recognising not only this year's efforts bus also her previous experience.
Sihing Geoff awarded 2nd Dan Black belt
Charles awarded 1st Dan Black belt
Matthew awarded 8th kyu Orange belt
Kendra awarded 5th kyu Light Brown belt
Special thanks to Dai Sihing Andy who came all the way from Napier to assist with the grading. Dai Sihings Arron and Andy and Sihing Geoff participated in the sparring test with Charles giving him the opportunity to face a number of diverse opponents and styles of fighting. As always the hard work of the following instructors during the year needs to be acknowledged: Dai Sije Lianne, Dai Sihing Phil, Dai Sihing Arron, Sihing Geoff, Sifu Peter and Sifu Melissa. In addition Sije Amanda was kind enough to guide some of the black belts through Tai Chi sets.
Koraunui School Grading December 2019
Dai Sije Lianne and her son Sihing Charles held the grading for the young students of the Koraunui school. At the grading were also present Sifus Peter, Melissa, Stan and DaiSihing Arron. The children performed very well running through the basics, kata and self defence techniques. They also all did well with their fitness tests. Their enthusiasm and dedication are a credit to Dai Sije Lianne who selflessly gives of her time to train these young pupils in the martial arts. Congratulations to all the children on their new grades.
Grading June 2019
The midyear grading was attended by three students, Matthew, Lauren and Antonio. Matthew demonstrated a good grasp of the White belt syllabus and performed well in his basics and kata. Lauren demonstrated good understanding of the Orange belt syllabus and performed strong basics, kata and self defence techniques. Antonio showed a good grasp of the Light Brown syllabus, demonstrated great improvement in his techniques, performed very good kata and versatile self defence techniques. He also showed improvement in his sparring techniques and stamina.
Antonio awarded 4th kyu dark brown belt
Lauren awarded 7th kyu green belt
Matthew awarded 9th kyu yellow belt
Grading November 2018
A great milestone was completed with the end of year grading of 2018. The school completed its 50th year of operation. Still going strong after all these years the occasion was marked with gradings of the students as well as the current senior instructors. Grades were awarded by Sifu Peter as follows:
Charles awarded 1st kyu
Antonio awarded 5th kyu light brown
Dai Sihing Arron awarded 3rd Dan (over 15 years of dedicated training and teaching)
Dai Sihing Andy awarded 3rd Dan (over 10 years of dedicated training and teaching)
Dai Sije Lianne awarded 5th Dan (nearly 30 years of dedicated learning and teaching and over 5 years assisting in running the school). Also Dai Sije Lianne runs her own martial arts school at Koraunui School in Stokes Valley with over 10 students attending.
Dai Sihing Philip awarded 5th Dan (over 30 years of dedicated learning, teaching and over 5 years assisting in running the school)
Sifu Stan awarded 8th Dan (36 years of dedicated learning, teaching and 24 years of running the school)
In addition Sifu Peter awarded the following grades:
Sifu Melissa awarded 5th Dan (for services to the kung fu team of the school)
Sije Amanda awarded 1st Dan (for services to the kung fu team of the school)
We wish Charles and Antonio all the best on their ongoing dedicated training. They are great examples for everyone following them and they exhibit the martial spirit instilled by the fantastic training and instruction provided to them by the instructors.
Special thanks need to be expressed to Sifu Peter who has continued to teach everyone and inspires all of us as he is getting into his mid seventies. We are very lucky to have such a genuine martial arts enthusiast leading and teaching us. Sifu Bill's spirit certainly lives on through everyone's efforts in the school.
Have a great summer and we will meet again in February of the new year 2019.
Regards, Sifu Stan....
Koraunui School Grading December 2018
Dai Sije Lianne runs the Koraunui School martial arts school for the past two-three years. Assisting her have been senior students Charles, James and Antonio. The grading was completed in December 2018 and grades were awarded to Rylee, Emma and Logan who persevered with their training this year.
Below are photos from the two schools grading nights.
Latest news... Grading 23, 28, 30 November 2017
This year the grading was in two parts. First the 2nd dan grading of Arron Chan and Andy Clark took place on the 23rd of November. Arron and Andy demonstrated 16 empty hand and weapons forms from various Karate and Kung Fu styles. Three years of diligent training and dedication culminated in and evening of beautifully executed forms. In addition Arron and Andy demonstrated a number of self defense techniques derived from the above forms and finished with the customary free kumite which as well as one-on-one also pit them against four opponents each. Andy and Arron have well over three years on the 1st dan level and their confidence, experience, maturity and hard work showed through all aspects of their grading. In the words of Dai Sije Lianne "...Sifu Bill Would be proud of them!...".
Continuing from the Black Belt Grading the Brown and Orange belt grading took place over the 28th and 30th of November. Antonio and Angus displayed the techniques and kata of the Orange belt level. Both demonstrated a good grasp of the basics and a good understanding of the striking and kicking techniques. Their self defense techniques were accurate and realistic performed with great control. Both graded to the Green belt level 7th kyu.
The final grading featured James and Charles both aiming for the next level which was brown belt one black stripe 3rd kyu. Both demonstrated an in depth knowledge of the syllabus. Charles and James performed powerful kata and demonstrated advanced self defense applications. Both sparred aggressively, with great control and thought. As always they challenged themselves to the utmost and did not flinch in any of the challenges presented although they both carried minor injuries. These two are a great example of martial arts spirit and etiquette. A well deserved 3rd kyu was awarded at the end of the grading.
CUPS
5 cups were awarded: 1. Kumite James, 2. Kata Charles, 3. Most improved karateka Angus, 4. Most Improved Men's Junior Antonio, 5. Instructor's Cup Sihing Arron
INSTRUCTORS
Dai Sije Lianne lead the class all year helping the students build excellent fitness and flexibility which was evident during the various challenges of the grading. Sihing Andy and Sije Veronica did a marvelous job training the lower belts and beginners this year. Dai-Sihing Phil and Dai-Sije Lianne brought the higher belts to an excellent standard of technique, kata and martial spirit.
Sifu Peter and Sihing Arron running the Kung Fu part of the club did an excellent job with junior and senior students imparting such styles as the 6 foot stick, Northern Praying Mantis, Butterfly sword etc...
