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12 Sep |
First Grading Test News
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Malacca: The Okinawa Karate-do Uechi-Ryu Zankai Malaysia Dōkōkai has conducted the very first grading test on September 9, 2007. The first batch of students graded for kukyu (9th kyu) were the Little Tigers from Jasin dōkōkai.
Three Little Tigers with hatchi-kyu (8th kyu) from previous style had qualified for Uechi-Ryu Zankai ku-kyu (9th kyu). Under the new system, all previously qualified students have to re-qualify up to the kyu level they are holding now. The re-qualification is important as Uechi-Ryu is a completely different system from conventional modern karate.
The grading test was conducted by Adrian Hoe Senpai who had undergone a month-long sabbatical training on Okinawa under the supervision of Seizan Sensei, hatchi-dan (8th-dan) kyoshi to-dan. Seizan Sensei is a very close and high ranking student of Toyama Sensei, ju-dan (10th dan) hanshi. Seizan Sensei is responsible to train all overseas students and to supervise all overseas dojo and dōkōkai.
This grading test also signifies the transition to Uechi-Ryu Zankai has been completed. Most of the students were from previous style under the training of Adrian Hoe Senpai. Adrian has done extensive research into various karate styles and the different system of Uechi-Ryu. He finds that Uechi-Ryu Zankai practices the pre-World-War-2 old style karate-do which still has very strong Chinese influence.
“The system is not violent as it does not practice jiyu kumite. The system uses a more gentle and traditional approach of ancient martial arts training to build and strengthen the body and health of the practitioners.”, says Adrian.
“Jiyu kumite adds, to the dull and monotonous training, spices and excitement as well as the personal and group glorification when one wins in a competition. Injuries sustained from jiyu kumite may be bad for health as the injuries will damage muscle, tissue and nerve fibers. The effect will not be immediately felt but it will eventually surface when one enters old age.”, iterates Adrian. “Uechi-Ryu Zankai builds a person very slowly and gently and the strengthening effect will not be seen as immediately as sports karate but the health and strength obtained from this old style training will stay until the old age. The health benefits of Uechi-Ryu Zankai training is notably important as we can see the 80-year-old Toyama Sensei is still training and performing like a young man.”, added Adrian.
“The Little Tigers at Jasin Shibu Dōkōkai have trained very hard and I am pleased to see their performance and I am very happy that our students are now practicing 100% Uechi-Ryu Zankai techniques as we have completed the transition.”, says Adrian.
“Unlike the public performance on June 10 at Mahkota Parade (article here), we are now confident and ready to give any performance using 100% Uechi-Ryu Zankai techniques from now on.”, again says Adrian.
The next grading test will be held in October for Bukit Beruang dōkōkai students. Another grading test will be held in November or December for those who are holding higher qualification from previous style to allow them to move up to the equivalent kyu level they are holding.
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