Zen Do Kai The Best of Everything in Progression

On the 12th August it was time for the 18th annual Kobun gradings and Senjo ’06 at the Royal New Zealand Police College at the Aotea Lagoon. Each year on the anniversary of their first club opening on the 8th August 1988 they hold the mid year gradings. Once again Kyoshi Steve Nedelkos from Melbourne, Australia was the guest of honour in his capacity as chief instructor of the Dominators family of which Kobun Dojo belong. Other senior ranks included

• Kyoshi Martin Brady, Wolves Family, Palmerston North
• Shihan Shane Longstaff, Kobun Family, Wellington
• Shihan Ian Beardslee, Falcons Family, Wellington
• Renshi Daniel Smart, Raiders Family, Lower Hutt
• Renshi Lloyd Sushames, Dau Draig Family, Wellington
• Renshi Dave Hitchens, Alpha Family, Wellington

Doors
opened at 8.00 am and gradings were underway at 9.00 The Juniors grading was first conducted by Sempai Liz Wells from the Tawa juniors club and was met with huge support and cheers from the audience. Places were chosen by the selection panel for the following and medals awarded:

Junior Awards
White - Blue

• Tyler Whitford (Gold)
• Jessica-Leigh Freemantle (Silver)
• Tylah Kirtika (Bronze)

Blue - Green

• Glen Windwood (Gold)
• Raidyn Murphy (Silver)
• Bradley Hall (Bronze)

Green - Brown

• Courtnee Rudd (Gold)
• Kaylah Nikora (Silver)
• Kate Lawlor (Bronze)

At 10.30 the Seniors grading was underway with Dai Sempai Kane Freemantle from Upper Hutt and Sempai Rory Read from Tawa conducting proceedings. There was plenty of audience support from friends and family and once again the selection panel was on hand to choose the best of the best with medals going to the following positions:

Senior Awards
White - Blue

• Jeremy Whitford (Gold)
• Jayne D'Agnilli (Silver)
• Jithin (Jay) Singh (Bronze)

Blue - Green

• Dave Timmins (Gold)
• Nathan Rudd (Silver)
• Aaron Newton (Bronze)

Green - Brown

• Nadia Coombe (Gold)
• Jayden Tribe (Silver)
• Rowan Carlyle (Bronze)

From there it was on to Dan gradings with Sempai Liz Wells taking the Junior Shodan (First Dan) and Dai Sempai Greg Nesbitt (Upper Hutt) taking the Senior Shodan

Junior Shodan

• Aiden Nicol

Senior Shodan

• Rebecca Browne

The Nidan (2nd Dan) grading was run by Renshi Lloyd Sushames & Dai Sempai Chris Samuels (Paremata) with one person for intermediate and 4 for senior. These 5 students kicked and punched their way through the grading with the support and cheers from their fellow students.

Top Nidan

• Tim Watkins

The final grading of the day was conducted by Kyoshi Steve Nedelkos with Dai Sempai Carly Robinson (Tawa) attempting Sandan (3rd Dan). She performed her Kata (Patterns) and then with the aid of her 3 helpers Sempai Michael Cawley, Nadia Coombe and Royce Williams presented her delta self defence applications. She was awarded the rank of Sandan and the title of Sensei.

Sensei Carly's grading day was especially rewarding as 2 students from the Tawa Juniors club which she co instructs with Sempai Liz Wells attempted and were awarded Shodan Ho (Black Belt) a personal satisfaction which she mentioned in her 3rd Dan speech presentation.

As an extra on the day before the Dan gradings whilst everyone was lined up in formation Kyoshi Steve asked Shihan Shane to come out onto the floor. In appreciation of Shihan's contribution to Kobun and ZDK for the last 19 years as well as his recent birthday.

Kyoshi Steve presented him with an antique Wakasashi sword. This relic was from Kyoshi's private collection and we all know will be greatly treasured in Shihan's shiny equivalent to a stamp book.

Kobun would like to thank; Kyoshi Steve (Melbourne Dominators) for yet again coming over and helping us, Kyoshi Martin (Palmerston North Wolves), Shihan Shane (Wellington Kobun), Shihan Ian (Wellington Falcons) & Renshi Daniel (Lower Hutt Raiders) for picking the best of the best & Renshi Lloyd (Porirua Dau Draig) for making the medals that we all love to have! Lastly Sempai Pip (Otaki Dau Draig) for taking the pics that should be appearing soon.

A special mention to Dai Sempai Jeff and Rob Swain for travelling all the way from Auckland with students to grade. This is a great effort which they have continued to make over the years (perhaps next year they'll also bring helpers for their Sandan gradings).