Roma's Son. First Karate Belt

For a long time I wanted my son Roma (the fourth of my five children) to take up some sport that would help organize his development — perhaps one of the Eastern martial arts. It was a bit frightening to choose a club for him: a coach gradually gains a very serious influence over a child. I didn't want to end up with someone who would steer my son's development in a direction I wouldn't agree with... I was glad to learn that a former student of mine, who left me with the best of impressions, is a children's coach at a kenso karate-do school. Yes, Veronika is a person I trust. Roma had been doing karate since autumn. He liked it. And now he passed his first grading and received his first belt. The pre-grading and grading seemed quite impressive to me, so I'll post the photos I took here... The pre-grading took place before the grading. Veronika was preparing a mixed-age group of students. Some were going for a white belt, others for a green one [IMG_1] [IMG_2] [IMG_3] [IMG_4] [IMG_5] Two fairly young coaches with black belts came to the pre-grading. The children performed in groups (from the lower level to the higher ones); the coaches commented on their performances, pointed out mistakes, and tried to polish the technique to the required standard [IMG_6] The coaches are busy with their affairs, while the students work through their physical exercises (calibrated according to their age and level) [IMG_7] [IMG_8] The exercises began... [IMG_9] [IMG_10] Roma practises kata — a fight against an imaginary opponent [IMG_11] [IMG_12] [IMG_13] Debriefing [IMG_14] [IMG_15] [IMG_16] Then the older students begin showing their level, while the younger ones (and those whose turn hasn't come yet) simply watch and wait [IMG_17] [IMG_18] [IMG_19] [IMG_20] [IMG_21] [IMG_22][IMG_23] Tired... [IMG_24] But little Roma is still holding up [IMG_25] The higher the level, the finer the details the coaches work on [IMG_26] [IMG_27] [IMG_28] [IMG_29] [IMG_30] [IMG_31] A week later — the grading. The masters came here (Veronika explained who they were very simply — her Teacher and her Teacher's Teacher), and the parents were invited [IMG_32] [IMG_33] [IMG_34] [IMG_35] General warm-up... [IMG_36] [IMG_37] ...and the grading itself. The older students wait for now [IMG_38] These are the ones who are supposed to receive white belts [IMG_39] Roma performs kata [IMG_40] [IMG_41] [IMG_42] Finished. He was praised [IMG_43] Next stage [IMG_44] [IMG_45] [IMG_46] [IMG_47] [IMG_48] One of the tasks — tying the belt [IMG_49] And this is already the next stage. As the belts advance, the tasks the students perform become more complex [IMG_50] [IMG_51] The younger ones watch. They will be working — this is the prospect that awaits them [IMG_52][IMG_53] [IMG_54] [IMG_55] [IMG_56] The process is long. Everyone is tired, but the serious business doesn't allow for relaxation [IMG_57] [IMG_58] [IMG_59] [IMG_60] [IMG_61] [IMG_62] [IMG_63] [IMG_64] A reprimand... [IMG_65] ...and a softening [IMG_66] [IMG_67] I stepped outside to take a phone call and saw that hailstones like these had fallen from the sky [IMG_68] [IMG_69] And the grading continues without any breaks [IMG_70] [IMG_71] The master shows the young man how to strike the girl. The girl is quite good herself... [IMG_72] Done! The performances are over. The next stage of the debrief begins. The masters have a whole list of remarks about the precision of many elements, primarily those related to insufficient refinement of the stances [IMG_73] While Veronika discusses the results with her supervisors, the students wait [IMG_74] [IMG_75] The conversation at the table softens with every passing minute [IMG_76] [IMG_77] [IMG_78] Done! All is well. The grading was credited to everyone Veronika had admitted to this stage — each participant received the belt they had been striving for. Shortcomings will be addressed in further work [IMG_79] Someone is not paying attention... [IMG_80] ...and during the subsequent conversation the offender will be doing push-ups [IMG_81] Well, I am pleased with what I saw. And not only because Roma seems to have changed for the better. Looking at the older students, I saw how longer training had affected them. Looking at the masters and gurus, I formed some impression of them, of those who set the style. The system I trust to influence my son is undoubtedly demanding and quite strict, but, it seems to me, humane and sincere. I liked it. Roma seems ready to continue. Well, so be it... Veronika, thank you!