Karate Brown 2 Grading

Today is grading day. This year it's held in SRJK Kong Min Cawangan 2 in Air Itam. I happily told daddy that it was the school where you had your karate camp back in May. Well, we sure were surprised when we arrived since there was no car there. And then I realised the photo did not look like those sent by sensei!

Well, we quickly checked the messages and turned on Google maps to bring us to the correct location. We still made it with sufficient time to settle down before the grading started. It was a combination of Brown 2 and Brown 3 students.

First was the kata. Could not get a good photo of you since we're seated at the back and you were quite far to the front. The examiner this year is stricter, asking you all to do it correctly and even coming down to correct certain students. I guess the technique must be more correct as you go to higher belts.

Next is the kumite. Your sparring partner is your friend from the dojo, Angelynn. 

The exam timing went further than the allocated time. After everyone completed the kumite, the examiner gave you all a brief talk about the importance of karate and doing it properly and time for a quick group photo before calling it a day:

Then we hopped into the car and headed for breakfast before going home.

P/s: Sensei proudly announced that everyone passed that day.

Karate Brown 2 Test

It was an early day for us. Exam day. Luckily the location is so near to the house, we were there in less than 10 minutes. Daddy didn't play golf today. So we woke up, had breakfast, changed then woke him up to drop us at the Dewan Silat. 
We waited a little after arriving and soon you were called to take your spots for the exams. Then it was time to go into the hall for your turn to be examined. Your group was the second group for the day. You were to do the Kata.

Then you were told to put on your gloves, pick a partner about your height and start sparring:

Called daddy to say that we were done. He picked us up and we headed to Chowrasta Market to eat breakfast. We also bought lunch for the rest of the family.

Later that day, when we picked you up from ballet lessons, I received a message that you had passed the test. You were 1 of the 8 who passed. 19 of you took the test. Good job, Evelyn. We're proud of you. 

Karate Exams: Brown 4

Today was exam day. Sensei gave those being examined today extra lessons yesterday evening. Saturday sure was a busy day for you: music in the morning, ballet in the afternoon then karate in the evening.

You had a light breakfast, then changed. And off we went to Majlis Sukan Negeri where the exams are held. We arrived at 8.40am, a little earlier than requested, but better than being rushed and then stressed before the exams.

After a short wait, it was time for your group to go into the examination hall. 

And then the testing started. This time, the examiner sat on the stage, giving him a better view of everyone.

Took some videos. Here's one.. which somehow is in slow motion.. of you sparring:

Then, that was it. Exams are over. Caught up with you and headed off. Your seniors asked you how it went and you shook your head. You apparently were not aware that you needed to spar! 

Update 21 Apr: Sensei sent a message to say that everyone passed the exams. Great job! On to Brown 3.

Karate Exam - Purple Belt

We were both pleasantly surprised when you were given a form to take part in the next round of examinations. You had just taken the last exam in July. And the last few times, you only took the exams once a year.

I guess attending the lessons at the Dojo was more regular, so you could learn faster to be able to have the exams. 

Anyhow we arrived a little earlier than the scheduled time. Luckily too. Because just shortly from your arrival, it was your groups' turn to go into the exam hall. 

Everything was over very quickly this round. 

Congratulations, you've passed this exam. On to the brown belt!

Karate Exams - Blue belt

The school has a fixed time for us to arrive. As usual, it's an easy drive to the Pusat Silat Negeri. Just a few minutes away. Shortly after we arrived, they called your group to gather on the mat.

Showing me your "meh" face

First to start with the moves you have learnt:

Then you need to partner with another to perform the newly demonstrated moves:

Thanking the examiner:

As we were leaving, your partner thanked you for helping her get the correct action. 

Karate - Green belt grading

You proudly came back to inform me that you were the only one from school selected to take part in the green belt grading.

The exam location was the same as before. Only thing was this time seemed to be a larger crowd taking the examinations. We arrived on time (obviously.. when the location is just a 5 minutes' drive from home..) and headed to the back waiting area. There were still many children waiting for their turn to be examined. Group 2 green grading were just grouping and shortly after you gathered with the rest of the children in your group. 

At 10.30 am sharp, you all started the examination.

Once you were done, we waited a little and Ah Ma came to pick us up then go for lunch.

In the evening, Sensei Li Li messaged the parents to congratulate the children for a job well done and to inform us that you'd all passed the exams. Yay!

Karate White Belt Exam

You called me at work on Thursday to tell me that you had been selected to take the white belt exam. And it was to be held on Sunday. Talk about short notice!!

Anyhow, I went back and reached out to your Sensei. She was a nice lady who asked if you could attend extra lessons on Saturday, which unfortunately clashes with your ballet class and was a lesson you could not miss either seeing Monday was your ballet exams!

She was nice enough to share me a video to show you on the steps again which would be demonstrated during the exams.

This morning, we woke up to have breakfast and then Ah Ma dropped us off at the Pusat Sukan Negeri (reminded me of Ko-ko's Wushu MSSPP competition). 

Upon arrival, you sat down with your group mates while I gave the instructor your application form and exam fees. Luckily I joined the other parents to sit down inside the hall while waiting for your turn.

Waiting patiently

It was finally your turn to go with the group. You were the last of the students to be examined. 

Bowing to the examiner

And we are done. Waited a while for Ah Ma to come and then we headed to Tanjung Bungah to buy lunch as you had requested... nasi lemak.