Good crowd, great vibes, and high fives at Daniel’s black belt grading on 20 January 2024
Wonderful morning of Aikido in the dojo last Saturday as the crew came together to support Daniel in his bid for Shodan…
It was a real pleasure to welcome Andy Rayne, Chief Instructor of Azamikai, who flew down from Edinburgh expressly to oversee proceedings.
A good crowd gathered bright and early for the 8:30am start, including first to arrive Angelito who came fresh from working a night shift! After a nice warmup, Andy segwayed into ukemi practice; teddy bear rolls all round, ushiro ukemi from sitting then standing, and finally bringing it all together in dynamic throws from kokyu-nage. By 10am Andy had steered us through a Greatest Hits of Aikido, with an emphasis throughout on good communication, crisp and responsive body movement. Challenging, vigorous, fun.
With others joining at the break, we had a pretty much full cast for the second session, and after a bit of stretch, the grading proper was underway.
Daniel dealt coolly with the somewhat daunting prospect of being the only person grading, and grading to black belt no less. His technique through the Suwariwaza and Hanmi handachi-waza forms was excellent (“pixel perfect”, according to Andy) and despite more nerves in the flowing second half, overall it was a most competent and accomplished showing. Thanks go to Hernan for providing top class service as uke, delivering clear distinct attacks, at a controlled pace and with impressive ukemi.
More training followed, travelling through the Kaitens and Ushiro-waza with ongoing focus on precision in ukemi: being in the right position to relax and absorb the energy of an attack, regardless of its power (like “surfing a wave within the body” – Andy). All up, a full-on celebration of The Joy of Movement!
Applause all round when Daniel’s accession to black belt was finally announced. And proceedings closed with a presentation to Andy of Kanetuska Sensei’s book; apt since it was Sensei who awarded Andy with his Shodan in Oxford some 25 years ago.
Per tradition, the event was followed with the usual after-party of coffee and buns in the sub-4 café. And, for Daniel and Andy, an all-important spot of administration and signing of the books.
Thanks to all members who supported the event; occasions like this are a reminder that Aikido is most certainly alive and well in Oxford 👍
