Promotion Reports

Report Submitted: 25/1/06
Published: 25/1/06
Authors: Sensei Adam

Contest Grading 21st January 2006
Theory Grading 14th January 2006

Waited to post the results from this grading, as the Akitas clubs held a Presentation Evening/Quiz Night on Sunday 22nd January 2006.

The theory grading was attended well, with all displaying great aptitude. Of particular note were Jade Goodwin, Charlie Butcher and Katherine Holmes who all jumped 4 levels in the respective grading schemes. Nothing more than they deserved, but an excellent showing of how far they have already progressed.

An interesting development that we hope will assist students in future is the break-down of their own techniques being made available to them. Hopefully this will be able to give each student a good idea on what techniques they need to concentrate on before the next grading as well as highlighting all techniques that they excelled on.

In no grade order, the following grades were awarded (Squad Players are in Bold Blue, with hyperlinks to their Homepages):

Aston Darling		To:
Jade Goodwin		To:
Craig Darling		To:
Charlie Butcher		To:
Katherine Holmes		To:
Louis Pond-Thompson		To:
Sean Hine		To:
Adam Somerset-Butler		To:
The following are Theory grades:
Elliott Woodham		To:
David James		To:
Becky Haylett	(BJC (MAC) grade)	To:
Tammi Fitzjohn	(BJC (MAC) grade)	To:
Senior grades - Full Grades		To:
Michael Haylett		To:
Stuart Darling		To:
Seniors - Theory Grades
Stuart Darling		To:
Michael Haylett		To:
Steve Sexton		To:
Robin Williams		To:
Tony Dixon		To:
Andreas Killi		To:

Contest Grading 21st January 2006, High Wycombe
And on to the following weekend. A small band of us attended this one, but including the 4 needing Dan grades - a bit of a distance for the rest! The showing was a little different for each attempt however, with Adam Hutchins only just out of his sickbed, Paul Pasifull having to fight the ref, and Jono Drane flirting with the ref's!

Tony Dixon
Tony lost his first fight due to a great left handed make-komi, after some quick pulling and moving around. However, you could see that Tony simply hadn't been ready for this fight, and so we look towards his next bout with interest!

In his second fight, Tony took the same approach to the contest and concentrated on getting his opponent into Ne Waza, avoiding the first couple of attacks and pressuring his opponent to the ground unceremoniously, and unlucky not to be able to get his opponent to turn on to his back for a hold, losing a contact lens in the process. Up again and straight into some fierce battles for grips, with his opponent tentative in the extreme. Tony attempts a Tomoe Nage, fails but succeeds in getting his opponent onto the ground. His opponent then fails to parry an attack on the ground and is held for a strong Mune Gatame for the full point, despite some futile attempts to entrap the league.

1 win and 1 loss for Tony who went from 8th Kyu to 7th Kyu.

Well done Tony!

Adam Hutchins
As already stated, Adam was from his sickbed, after being away from work the previous two days and still showing the results of his illness. However, Adam needing to convert his BJC (MAC) 2nd Dan to BJA, he continued to give everything his all.

In his first fight, an attempted Uchi Mata by his opponent with Adam's arm in a favourable position, Adam took the throw on his side and was rewarded as he hoped by landing straight into a Gyaku Kesa Gatame. However, the ref not seeing it this way gave the opposition an Ippon instead, turning the balance somewhat!

Annoyed at landing on his side for an Ippon, Adam dived into his second bout, and ended up having to muster all his strength to escape one hold down, attempt an Uchi Mata that was countered by a Kata Guruma, that in turn was stopped by.... Adam's face rubbing across the mat. How this wasn't a Hansoku-make is anyone's guess, but up again. Adam then spoken to by the referee for a slow strangle in Tachi Waza, with Adam not being direct and swift enough. A failed dropping Seoi by his opponent, and Adam has his opponent trapped in a favourite position. Showing weakness due to ill health however, Adam allows his opponent to escape this position, but grips tightly with his legs on his opponents leg to avoid the Kuzure Mune Gatame. Up again and with Adam turning into a poor Ippon-Seoi position, his opponent attempts a Te Guruma, and is unlucky not to turn Adam onto at least his side - but is awarded a Wazari for Adam landing on his bottom. On the ground, Adam immediately into a Kami Shiho Gatame - but again shows his lack of strength and is easily rolled into a Kami Shiho Gatame himself, which turns into a Mune Gatame. Again, with the complete loss of strength, Adam is held down for a Waza-ari-awasete-Ippon.

Third fight, and as yet no wins for the ill Adam. This time however, Adam straight into attack. tries a Te Waza of his own from a failed Uchi Mata attack from his opponent, with opponent in a weak position, Adam straight into a Tate Shiho Gatame, easily spun out of by his opponent. A few more twists and Adam is in a hold once more - but matte is called. Straight in again, and Ne Waza almost immediately after a failed dropping Seoi by the opposition. In between Adam's legs, the opponent fails to get past Adam's legs and is eventually turned as Adam managed to 'get on top' and hold down for one of his trade mark Mune Gatames. No strength showed as Adam failed to get a submission, but a win none the less!

Fourth fight and this left Adam apologising to his counterpart. Void of all strength by now, it was only going one way and ended with wazari-awasete-Ippon for the 3rd Dan - which although a little questionable served as a massive relief for the now depleted Adam. 

Adam did confirm his 2nd Dan, onto the Budokwai in health next week for that 3rd!


Paul Pasifull
A strong resolution was not rewarded to Paul, who was the biggest victim of unusual refereeing decisions of the whole day.

In the first fight, stalemate between the two 1st Kyu's, with neither really gaining the upper hand, and much of the contest used up in the surrounding mat area. This until the dying seconds of the fight, Paul parried his charging opponent for a picture perfect Tomoe Nage. An uproar from the onlooking crowd for a technique so rarely seen executed properly, let alone with such perfection. Ippon! To his opponent?! Still dumbfounded with this one!

Paul's second fight was another loss, this time as he submitted against an armlock that was attacking his shoulder. Extremely unlucky! Paul's third and final fight was in a line-up. After a strong battle, Paul eventually succumbed and lost in the dying seconds of the bout. Better luck next time at the Budokwai, Paul!


Lee Ellis
Lee stormed through his fights, winning by Ippon, Waza-ari and another Ippon to make it through to a line-up. There he won his first fight, but thought he had done enough in his second with a throw, but, scoring a Waza-ari was taken by surprise and held down by his opponent - one to remember Lee ;)

In his first fight, a Waza-ari quickly achieved, as what can only be described as a O Guruma Otoshi from a failed Harai Goshi is pulled off with aplomb.

With 50 points now in the bag, great things expected Sunday at the Budokwai!


Jono Drane
Jono hardly broke a sweat all day. 2 fights to get his line-up, and with flirtation with the ref and all-round good-sportsmanship, Jono won his 1st Dan in style. Well done Jono!