The Moose Mountain Wado Kai Karate Club hosted its grading night for its Just for Kicks members at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17.
Grading was completed by Senseis Kara McNair, Quinn Brown, Kevin Dyck, and Sensei Jayson Humphries who also organized the group throughout the evening.
Students performed their katas for those grading as well as the kumite. A kata is a choreographed shadow fight against multiple opponents. It requires specific technique and gusto, which includes the kiai, a yell or shout much like a battle cry. The kumite can be both training and competition against an adversary using the skills and techniques learned in the kata, but it is the actual fighting.
“You have all put in a lot of hard work this year and you have all improved very quickly,” Sensei Jayson said. “It’s been a great year.”
“Tonight some of you will earn a stripe and others may earn a full belt, but it’s important to remember it’s not a competition. This is your journey and you’re graded on where you are at.
