EJC's BLACK BELTS

21st November 2009 - Misha finally gets his points!

Having been so unlucky at his last grading, finishing his day stuck at 97 points, Misha was pretty focussed on getting those last 3 points. so today he travelled to Kingsley Hall in Essex and in his first contest took ten points and his Dan grade. This makes Misha EJC's 5th Dan grade and we are very pleased for him. Well done Misha.

18th October 2008 - John makes it 4 for EJC

On Saturday 18th October 2008 John Hough, from EJC's excellent adult session, achieved the grade of 1st Dan. He only needed 20 points at the start of the day and actually earned himself 30. With the theory done quite some time before the grade was ratified in only a few days. Well done John.

25th May 2008 - Lyam is EJC Dan grade # 3

On Sunday 25th May 2008 Lyam Quin went to the Budokwai to earn his final ten points for his black belt. Having had a couple of previous occasions at gradings, missing out on the covetted grade by only the last fight in a line up, Lyam was pretty fired up to get it on this attempt. And so he did! He completed his theory on the same day too and so the job was done. Very well done Lyam.

8th July 2007 - 14 Year Old Taku Beats Line Up

Our very own home grown Taku Kawamoto went along to the Bucks County Grading on 8th July 2007 to try to get his senior brown belt, having converted to a senior licence earlier in the year. He threw two opponents for ippon to be graded to first Kyu, and was very happy. But he was then invited to fight for Dan grade points with the other 1st Kyus, so he did.

Taku drew his first contest in this section but he knew he had two more chances to earn a line up. One came and was dispatched for ippon, and then another. The line up was next. He faced three men, all bigger than himself, as there were no lighter players left to fight. He threw the first for ippon in 4 seconds, the second in 14 seconds and the third in 20 seconds!

All in all it took Taku less than a minute to secure his black belt! He then zipped through his theory, scoring well over 90%. However, he is too young to wear the grade as he is still 14. He turns 15 in September but will have to wait until January - as he has to be a 1st Kyu for 6 months...

It is an outstanding achievement for an outstanding fighter. Congratulations Taku.

14th May 2005 - Phil Becomes EJC's First Dan Grade

On the 14th May 2005 Phil Barnes went along to the Veterans Grading at Willesden in the hope of picking up his last 8 points. With a rib injury and only a little training beforehand his chances were slim.

He had 3 fights but unfortunately was not able to gain any points from them, leaving him disappointed and tired. But out of the gloom came a reprieve. There were still a few line-ups to be had... this could be his chance.

Phil was called up as the first man in the 2nd line-up of the day. Nervously he stepped forward. He footswept his opponent beautifully for ippon, giving him the ten points needed. Success!

With the theory already completed and the points tally totalled, Phil was over the moon. He had at last won his Dan grade - a huge achievement.

Big congratulations to Phil from everyone at the club. This was a long-awaited goal; Phil had been out of judo since college and had only been back in training for two years. So with twenty years out of the sport to contend with, finally getting his points was very sweet!

EJC's Dan Grade Register

1. Phil Barnes, 1st Dan achieved on 14.5.05 at the National Veterans' Grading at Willesden.

2. Taku Kawamoto, 1st Dan achieved on 8.7.07 at the National Promotion Examination at High Wycombe.

3. Lyam Quin, 1st Dan achieved on 25.5.08 at the Budokwai National Promotion Examination.

Lyam achieved his 2nd Dan on 27.6.10 at the Kent International Tournament at Crystal Palace. He earned his final 10 points at the event and had already completed his theory.

4. John Hough, 1st Dan achieved on 18.10.08 at High Wycombe.

5. Misha Kljutic, 1st Dan achieved on 21.11.09 at Kingsley Hall.