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This was a tough and long test for all candidates with everything on their syllabus examined in detail by the panel:- all ukemi, unsoku & tandoku undo, kata (ju-nanahon, Ura-Waza, Dai-San and Dai-Yon) and many bouts of relentless kakari-geiko and hikitate-geiko were demanded to push candidates to their limits.
Ross, an adult member since 2016, has been a constant and welcome presence on the mat, at seminars and competitions over the years. Ross gave an impressive demonstration of all kata, showed resilience and understanding of application to earn shodan. Ross, a medal winner at Club and National level is a valuable and consistant member of our competitive teams at National and European level now joins the dark-side.
Catherine, who joined in 2017 at the age of twelve, is now the fifth member from the youth class to transition through to adult ranks and achieve shodan. A youth National and European champion, Catherine now joins the dan-grade Irish national team for the upcoming WSAF European Championships in July.
Pam Dempsey, Catherine Cadawas, Ross Hand and Keith McClean Darragh, a longstanding and popular member who joined DTA junior ranks at the age of nine and a National, European and World level medal winning competitor, gave a standout display of kata and hikitate-geiko as well as performing uke duties for other candidates. A well deserved promotion to 2nd Dan.
And of course much thanks to those that helped prepare and uke for the candidates on the day. Thanks so much to Jer (Von) Ryan, Micheál Coill Thoir, Emma Lawlor, Maurice Lawlor and Robert Stewart from Black Mountain Aikido coming all the way from Belfast just to support the candidates.
Finally, there would be no BAA grading without an experienced examiner panel. Thanks to Brendan Gunn sensei 4th Dan BAA travelling from Belfast, Keith McClean sensei 5th Dan BAA, Marty Knocker sensei 3rd Dan BAA travelling from Antrim and Pamela Dempsey sensei 3rd Dan BAA.
