People who are being Graded including there Grades

Mike "Gumbi" Kinkle, 4th Kyu
Victor Hernandez, 4th Kyu
Chandler Brown, 5th Kyu
Holger Wiedemann, 5th kyu
And two beginners, Rico and Tabatha.

Attending the grading as observers were Sensei Haynes, 3rd Dan Judo and Sensei Mathews 3rd Dan Tae Kwon Do. These are both very respected teachers in this area, and I invited them to watch the proceedings. They were impressed, as was I.

Although Victor Hernandez was running on a damaged knee, and he was in considerable discomfort after the warm-up, he nevertheless made it through the entire process with some degree of skill and control. Subsequently, he was awarded his next grade, 3rd kyu. He has been with the club for about two years.

Mr. Mike Kinkle gave an impressive performance demonstrating all eight forms, technique against sword and club attack as well as control over multiple opponents. He was subsequently graded to 2nd kyu. He has been with the club for about five years.

Mr. Holger Weidemann, a member of the German Air Force was able to garner a grade of 4th kyu ­ one step up, after demonstrating good fluid technique from six different forms. Of particular note was Mr. Weidemann's request to demonstrate technique against knife ­ something I normally would not allow someone of his grade to try. However, knowing he'd spent quite some time working on this with Mr. Kinkle, I presented him with the knife. His performance was very good.

Mr. Rico, a new member of our group (he's been with us for about a year now) demonstrated his knowledge of first, second and third form with adequate precision and a measure of fluidity. He received his 5th kyu for the performance.

Both Sensei Mathews and Sensei Haynes expressed their astonishment at the ferocity of the examination for the higher grades ­ at one point, Mathews commented that he'd have to be there for a dan grade test, although he couldn't imagine that it could be much harder than what Kinkle and Hernandez went through that day.