Hell yeah! There is no greater compliment!  That's me on the left above... part way through kankudai.

So, after nine years of training in GKR, I have finally achieved nidan.

My first grading to shodan-ho was in 2005.  Although I didn't feel worthy or ready (not assisted by being told that if I had a bad day I'd fail) I felt that I performed well on the day.  July 2007 was shodan and this time I felt ready to grade but didn't perform well and hence, felt undeserving.   This time around I think I struck the better balance.  I admit that I would have liked to be better and didn't feel at the standard of old school nidan but I think for me I was good for it.  I also felt like I performed pretty well and the overhwelmingly positive feedback has helped to cement that feeling.

This time round I wasn't anywhere near as nervous as previous times and with eight other contenders, it helped to disperse the focus somewhat.  The grading followed a format similar to that previously observed under S. Gavin and was largely comprised of basics with small combinations. There was nothing overly challenging in terms of complexity but after 3.5 hours pulling out all stops, I was absolutely shattered.

Everything was working for me mentally though which I think is what carried me from saifa onwards... about the point I realised that I was both fatigued and running on a general lack of blood sugar. From there it was a matter of getting through one kata at a time.  At some point during this process I decided that I was never going to go through this process again.  A little later I decided that if I didn't pass I wasn't even going to bother trying again.   It was torture.  I felt absolutely terrible...lethargic and sick.  Every part of my body was telling me to lie down.  Despite that, I apparently did just fine and the little I've seen as far as photgraphic evidence (as above) seems to support these claims! 

Kumite was the last hurdle and at that point I was glad that I had JS there to dress me while I chewed up Glucodin tablets with water as I was tremoring furiously and barely able to function through the fog. Did the trick as my brain cleared during my second easy round enough to start moving again.  I got four rounds with managers interspersed with peers and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.  S. Gary first, S. Gavin next, S. Craig and a second session with S. Gary.  First round was great despite ending up on the ground a number of times.  S. Gavin was next and I was just determined to keep my head on my shoulders!  Got socked a great one in the stomach (bruised the actual organ) and had to take a moment to recover from the winding but aside from that felt I held my own reasonably well. S. Craig was tricky... it was if his guard was just everywhere and I had enormous difficulty landing any techniques. He subsequently socked me in the jaw and wiped the floor with me.  By the end of trying to chase him around I was wasted so round two with S. Gary was shocking.  He kept nailing me in the guts with a front kick and looking at me as if to say "Aren't you going to do something about that?".  I knew what I was supposed to do but my body was too tired to carry it out with any kind of speed or strength.  Still had a great time though! 

By the finish, I had nothing left.  I had a pinched nerve in my neck and again felt ghastly.  All I wanted to do was lie down. Felt like an eternity leading up to our certificates and at the point I knew deep down that I was going to be fine.  S. Gavin started talking about something along the lines of strong and focused young lady... things are a tad fuzzy post kumite... I thought it was either going to be me or N and was chuffed when he announced me!  I received a lot of positive feedback from the other RM folk too but I couldn't tell you what was said.





My gi was soaked... I couldn't even stay upright while S. Gavin talked about how being a nidan puts us in the minority etc.  But I came away feeling like I earned every last bit of that grade. 

Wasn't really all too aware of what was happening around me during the grading so will be curious as anything to see the video that C has made.    Oh that and the photos from JB as well!

Went to senior training up the coast last night, my first physical acitivty since the grading.  There I was... the highest graded person in the dojo for the first time ever.  The first time I've done bow in and out.... The little things.   I'm feeling really relaxed and for the first time, I wasn't worried about performing to a standard...like I had to be something awesome just because I graded.  Guess that is the real mark of confidence and readiness.  Only wish we weren't winding up for the year so soon. 

Found out the best piece of positive feedback from S. Gavin... "She's got guy snap."  Yeah... I finally nailed it and 18 months of hard work has paid off!