Jo Williamson receiving his Certificate and Sash from Sifu Stuart Hunt


James Chestnutt receiving his Certificate and Sash from Sifu Stuart Hunt


Carl Syres receiving his Certificate and Sash from Sifu Stuart Hunt


On the 8th June 2008, Jo, James and Carl took their Second Degree Black Sash grading in Birmingham and all passed with great scores.

It was a long day, up at 6am for a journey to the Temple Martial Arts Gym in the centre of Birmingham for the once a year opportunity to Grade up.

There were quite a lot of other candidates this year taking their 2nd, 3rd and 4th degrees. After having their Licence, and Certificates from necessary courses checked, paying the required Exam fee it was into the gym to find a few small feet of space to just limber up and prepare both physically and mentally for the challenge ahead.

Once Grading had started; each candidate with a number to indicate the order they would grade, it was time to sit and wait, try to keep calm and catch an odd glimpse of others as they graded until it was your moment.

The grading lasts about 10 minutes from the time you enter the room to leaving, with two grading at a time it soon got round to our turns.

Before you could get your bag down it was time to start. You need to know you stuff as there is no time to think - just do!

So within no time at all we were back on the long road home, several calls to people to tell them how it went, the mandatory burger and coke and back home to await the arrival of the envelope informing you of your result.

All three managed very good scores, that they are really proud of and they have certainly set a bench mark for their next grading!