The two combatants bowed to each other before their fists and feet sprang to life in front of a crowd of friends, family and other students.
A group of instructors sat at a table near one end of the gym as they graded the students on their form and looked to see if they landed any blows.
It was all part of the Moo Yan Kune Chi karate club's belt grading that took place April 1 in the Saint Andrews Elementary School gym in Chatham.
New karate students begin with a white belt and receive different colours as their skills progress, until they reach the black belt. From there they move in degrees, up to 10th degree black belt.
Louis Morris, one of the instructors, has studied karate for 32 years and reached the 10th degree about five years ago.
As the students waited to find out if they passed, Morris told them they did very well.
"I'm very proud of you."
Even so, some of them struggled and not everyone passed.
After the 16 students who did pass were presented with their belts, Morris had all of the students line up and addressed the group.
There was a time when he struggled too because of his nerves, he said, but it is something the students have to overcome.
"It's entirely up to you guys."
Danny Sonier watched the testing from the sides as, one-by-one, the students went through the grading ritual.
Sonier has been involved in karate off-and-on for five years and is two steps away from a black belt.
It will probably be two or three years before he reaches that level, he said.
"Whenever master sensei says you're ready to go."
Sonier said he likes karate because of the social aspect of it and because it frees his mind.
"I always want to learn," he said.
Yvon Cormier was there for his third class and said karate gives him a great cardiovascular workout.
Cormier said he used to be in the military, owns a gym and has lifted weights for years but karate was a big change for him. "It's a whole different ball game," he explained.
At the end of the night, as the instructors packed up their equipment, Morris said he teaches karate as a way to help communities.
"It's to help the kids."
1 comment:
Miss those classes. Luke Gallant. luke.gallant1981@gmail.com
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