18/07/09 - High Wycombe Grading
On Saturday was the High Wycombe Grading which was held at High Wycombe. We had three members attend this competition which were Hayley, Kirstie and Larry.
Hayley had 6 fights, she won her first fight, sadly lost the second but then went on to win the third fight and a result of that she earned 20 points towards her dan grade and because she had won those two fights with ippon she got a line up. She won the first fight but then unfortunately lost the second fight; granting her another 10 points but also leaving her with another 10 points needed to get a dan grade. The last fight her came from fighting her sister Kirstie.
Kirstie had 4 fights, but there was a small issue with her group as there was only one other dan grade. Kirstie went on to fight the dan grade and beat her granting her 10 points towards her 2nd dan grade. As there was only one other dan grade she then got a line up of 1st kyu's so she then got the chance to earn 1/2 points. The line up consisted of 3 opponents including her sister Hayley. Kirstie won her first fight resulting in her earning 5 points, but then got Hayley in her next fight. Hayley went on to fight Kirstie and beat her and earned the 10 points she needed for her black belt. Kirstie had a third and final fight which she won resulting in another 5 points won and in total 20 points earned by her.
Hayley then on the same day went on to do the theory side of her dan grade, passed that and is a fully fledged Black Belt.
Larry had 8-9 Fights (he lost count), he lost the first fight, but went on to win the second fight as a result of a forfeit from his opponent and because he hadn't made a score he was not rewarded any points for that fight towards his dan grade. His third fight he lost but then went on to win his forth fight against someone twice his size. He scored a waza-ari against this opponent and he also was injured and pulled out resulting in Larry not being able to make it an ippon score. After that fight Larry was used in a number of line ups but sadly didn't win anymore fights but was happy to come away with at least 7 points towards his dan grade.