REPORT
Rayners Lane Taekwon-do Academy are proud to announce that Colin Avis was promoted to 1st degree black belt, following a successful examination held on 23rd September 2006.

Colin, who started training in late 2000 under Mr Anslow (4th dan) is only the 4th student ever from Rayners Lane to pass the feared black belt test and others that tested on the day were not so lucky, such is the standard expected.

The gruelling 3 hour non-stop exam encompassed all the elements of Taekwon-do taught at the academy. Unlike many dan gradings, it wasn't a case of a few patterns, a round or two of light sparring followed by some breaking. The actual black belt test saw the students changing rapidly between the remaining 5 testable areas of patterns, sparring, hosinsul and destruction, with the two and a half hour written theory paper being completed a week earlier, following a 5 hour pre-grading under the auspices of Mr Anslow and Mr Elliott Walker of Dartford Taekwondo.

The grading purposely didn't run in what is the expected order, instead the students went from performing various patterns, to free sparring, to step sparring, back to patterns, to knife defences and hosinsul etc. This is designed not only to test their knowledge, but to see just how ingrained it actually is as the constant changing under pressure, coupled with the energy drain means students have to rely on instinct rather than simply thinking then performing.

Over the course of the grading, Colin and the other entrants completed the following:
Saju Makgi, Saju Jirugi, Chon-Ji, Dan-Gun, Do-San, Won-Hyo, Yul-Gok, Joong-Gun, Toi-Gye, Hwa-Rang and Choong-Moo tul, 3 Step Sparring, 2 Step Sparring, 1 Step Sparring (Traditional)  as well as 1 Step Sparring with single attacks of any techniques, on any side, Relaxed 1 Step with knife, Hosinsul (Self Defence techniques) firstly with frontal attacks, then with rearward attacks, Traditional Free Sparring (meaning they can kick, strike, sweep, take down and throw), Free sparring with knife attacks. Following a short minute break to enable some fluid intake the students then padded up and performed Traditional Free Sparring (with more contact allowed), which was followed by Idale Matsogi (2 v 1 Sparring), then Choke Sparring (a form of ground based sparring). All sparring, hosinsul, knife work and 1 step was performed over 2 rounds each, firstly against a fellow gradee, then against a 1st dan to really test the students ability. As you can imagine this is all extremely taxing and a challenge indeed for the students.

The grading concluded with the destruction element, with 1st kups having to perform Twio Yop Cha Jirugi (Jumping Side Piercing Kick) through two boards, with both legs (1 black board & 1 cream board together). Then they performed Fore Fist Punch through two boards, followed by a hand technique of choice through a black board on their weak side. All 1st kups were also required to perform a break through a black board with no measuring or distance taking by simply walking up to the holder and striking with the kick), a basic kicking technique is chosen at random for each leg.

The grading concluded with the Technical Break Demonstrations, which are chosen by the students themselves. In this final section Colin chose to demonstrated a combination turning and hook kick from the chamber position to 2 wood boards either side, followed by a jumping downward kick.

Rayners Lane Taekwon-do is renowned for having very high standards and expecting a lot from students and this grading was no exception. The true worth of earning a black belt is kept by such a physically and mentally demanding test. Every grading is examined and scrutinised by a panel of dan grades with at least 3 outside examiners, ranging from 6th to 2nd dan, and it this, coupled with the toughness of the actual grading which means when a student passes then they know they have truly earned their new black belt. Many congratulations to Colin Avis.

For the full results - please
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For more photos - please
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For Party photos - coming soon
Rayners Lane Taekwon-do Academy Dan grading
23rd September, 2006
Rayners Lane Taekwon-do Academy Dan grading
23rd September, 2006