Karate Black Belt Grading

Although I practise regularly, I don't often write about my karate.

But I think this Sunday gone deserves a blog post!

I have been practising karate for almost 9 years; training every week, at least once, usually twice and sometimes even three times a week. I supplement my training with running, yoga and Pilate's type exercises.

Karate has become part of my life and you could say my club has almost become a kind of family to me.

After a grueling 4 hour assessment and a black eye, I graded to black belt!

Two days later and I'm not sure it's quite sunk in yet....although I am still feeling the pain

Side kicks

The Empi jump

Taking off the brown belt for the last time

Looking slightly disheveled!

On the left is my name in Japanese (apparently!), on the right the name of my club.

 In case you don't know, the black belt is custom made in Japan and usually has your name embroidered in Kanji on one end and the name of your club on the other.

My belt came from www.kuroobiya.com - I would recommend them for their fast, friendly and efficient service.

I am off to train tonight...for the first time as a black belt...how strange! :-)