Black Belt Tests at Sun Dragon Seido Karate

from the April, 2009 issue of Kiai!

by Kyoshi Sarah Ludden

Unsung Heroines Award Jun Shihan Nancy and I had the honor and privilege of visiting Sun Dragon Seido Karate in Austin, Texas, this past March to teach and support Senpai Joy Williamson in the promotion exam of two students, Graham Smith for adult black belt and Leila Newton for junior black belt.

We arrived Friday afternoon, had a delicious lunch outdoors with Senpai Joy, enjoying the 80 degree sunny weather, then dashed off to her beautiful new dojo where we were greeted enthusiastically by her youngest students, ages 4 – 8. Four classes later, Shihan and I had taught all levels and age groups, including a self-defense oriented teen class and an energetic sparring class for teens and adults.

The Sun Dragon students are dedicated and hard working karateka, supporting their teacher and the growth of their dojo, and were very warm and inviting to us. After training, 16 of us re-grouped at a lively Mexican restaurant for dinner and were treated with a surprise visit from Senpai Chad Petersen! Senpai Chad is a Thousand Waves black belt who moved to Austin and trained at Sun Dragon for many years. He moved recently to Arizona for graduate school and came back to town to support the black belt test. All of us were thrilled to see him.

Shihan Nancy and I stayed with Senpai Joy and her partner, Sam Grimes, in their lovely home. After a morning treat of breakfast burritos prepared by Sam and a tour of their garden and chickens—yes, chickens—we were off to the dojo for black belt testing.

We began the test with the ritual meditation and bows of gratitude, to Kaicho, Shihan Nancy and myself, Senpai Joy, her black belts students, and the assembled white and colored belt students. Many karate generations were present, from Chicago to Austin (and Phoenix), a visible expression of waves inspiring thousands of others.

Shihan Nancy reminded us that the oral part of the black belt test is to meet the important challenge of public speaking, and is also an opportunity to build community, strengthen extended family ties and deepen our understanding of martial arts history and tradition.

Graham Newton, age 40, spoke eloquently about his lengthy training history, since 1993, first in Tang Soo Do, and then Seido karate. He expressed deep gratitude to his teachers, past and present, who have helped him on his martial art path. Graham acknowledged that the most challenging aspect of his martial training is the mental aspect, focusing and controlling his mind when training; strengths he has enjoyed are his health and athleticism. He hoped most to present Seido Karate well during his test, to honor his teachers and style. Graham’s oral presentation got the test off to a wonderful start.

Leila, age 14, has been training since age 7, half her life. When asked about strengths and challenges in her art, she acknowledged the challenge of mental focus during class, being present and not distracted. Her strengths are memorizing sequences and learning the mechanical details of technique. Her goal for the test was to do her best. Leila spoke sincerely about the difficulties of middle school, the decision to leave her school, the pain she experienced and the courage cultivated to make such a move.

For the next 3 hours, Senpai Joy, Shihan Nancy and myself led the two talented and well-prepared students through their basics, kata, self-defense and sparring. Sun Dragon black belts, Senpai KJ, Amy, George and Chad partnered in, held target pads, and created complicated technique combinations, presented in Japanese of course, to challenge the candidates. At one point, all the students, children and adults, white to black belt, participated in creating a fitness circuit/obstacle course for the testing students.

What a strong and dignified presentation they both gave! Senpai Graham and Leila’s knowledge of Seido karate, their stamina, strength and fitness, and their physical mastery of martial movement and skills were very very strong. Their self-defense and sparring skills were exemplary It was quite an honor to support Senpai Joy in the promotion of two new kari (beginner) shodan and to deepen our relationship with the Sun Dragon dojo. We took many pictures, tidied up the dojo and adjourned to Senpai Leila’s home for a wonderful celebratory party.

Jun Shihan and I congratulate Senpai Joy and the Sun Dragon community on the promotion of two more black belts. Senpai Graham and Leila are key players in the leadership at Sun Dragon and I’m sure will continue to be inspiring Senpai. We look forward to our future collaboration and trainings together.

Osu and thank you Senpai Joy and the community of Sun Dragon!