Congratulations to Kengokan Dojo assistant instrutor Sempai Adrian Cepak who was promoted to Shodan (1st Dan black belt) at the Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha Karate Australia national training camp at Coolum over the weekend of 16-18 April.

Graded to Shodan-ho (probational 1st Dan) 12 months ago, Sempai Adrian put on an excellent demonstration that shows his indepth analysis of Shorinjiryu karate technique.

Sempai Adrian’s promotion was awarded by headmaster of Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha Karate, Hanshi Shunji Watanabe who presided over a panel consisting of Shihan Dan Hayes (USA), Shihan Page Christis (USA), Shihan Jim Griffin (Australia), Shihan Max Estens (Australia), Renshi Lesley Griffin (Australia), Renshi Des Paroz (Kengokan Dojo) and Sensei Tony Fletcher.

Congratulations to other yudansha promotion recipients Shihan Jim Griffin (nanadan), Sensei Mark Slingo (sandan) and Sempai Christine Dewar (nidan), who were promoted at the same event.

Congratulations to Joanna Choe who was promoted to 1st Kyu (brown belt / black tip) a couple of weeks ago, at a grading conducted by Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha Karate Australia chief instrutor Shihan Jim Griffin and Kengokan head instructor Renshi Des Paroz.

Joanna performed kata, yakusoku kumite and buki-ho well. Her progress reflects the excellent effort she has put in over 3.5 years of training in Shorinjiryu karate.