Congratulations for successful jujutsu gradings

I am very pleased to announce that both Jack Baker and Sean Thompson were successful in their jujutsu shinsa on Saturday. 

Jack has been long overdue a grading attempt, having missed a few opportunities to challenge for 6KYU. He ably demonstrated the requirements for the grade on Saturday, and will be leaving Toowoomba with the right to wear a blue belt in training. Sean was a last minute inclusion for the grade, but amply demonstrated the requirements for 8KYU.

As always, shinsa lets people know about what they need to focus on next, and is an important tool to frame your training journey, rather than see as a destination to reach. Many thanks to Brady for his role as dojo steward, and to Dylan G, back to the dojo after a break, in his role as uke. 

My intention is to hold another grading opportunity in November, and I would like to see many more accept the challenge at that time.  

Congratulations Isaacs Sensei

On the 30th of April, we received the news from Tamura Sensei that John Isaacs Sensei, chief instructor of Kenshinkai and Head coach of QLD AKC Squad, had successfully challenged for the rank of nanadan (7th Dan) Kendo, in Kyoto in Japan. I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate him on behalf of the combined Bun Bu Ryo Do and Mu Shin Itto Kendo Clubs. Please join me in congratulating Isaacs Sensei.

Isaacs Sensei’s grading Match 1

Match 2

Sean T- Kendo Coordinator

Toowoomba Jujutsu Classes for May

Hi all,

Due to the Labor Day holiday tomorrow, there will be no jujutsu training.

Furthermore, due to low attendance, Monday night training will be held only when there are three people who have gotten onto Brady to express their availability to train on a Monday night. Since numbers have been low on Mondays, this has become a necessary step to keep the night of training viable for the club.

So, if you want to and are available to train on Mondays, message Brady no later than 4:30pm on Monday to let him know so that a decision can be made around training for the night. Remember there needs to be a minimum of three people for training.

I look forward to seeing everyone on the mats shortly and congratulations to those who successfully challenged a grade over the weekend.

B

News from the North

It has been a fairly intense week up north, with me away in Rockhampton attending a residential school for the exercise science course I am currently undertaking. Despite the best intentions, there was little chance to carve out time to even get a little bit of suburi practice over the weekend, so I am looking forward to starting off the training week right by heading to Gin Gin for Jujutsu tonight. Remember, 6 pm for a 6.30 pm start!

It has been great to see steady numbers at the Gin Gin dojo across Jujutsu, Kendo and Iaido, and we are hoping that with some local advertising we might encourage a few more of the locals to come along to class.  

I will not be back in Toowoomba till late Friday evening, as I have a oral presentation to make a little after Friday lunchtime for my Physiotherapy course. I will look forward to catching up with everyone on the weekend, and will leave training in the able hands of Brady, Kateena, Sean, Sian and Tracy to direct the weekday practices till I return. 

Can I also remind folk that are contemplating challenging for a jujutsu grade on Saturday that you must contact me ASAP with your intentions. I need some time to ensure that all the paperwork is in order for the day. If you are unsure of which grade you may be eligible to challenge for, we can have a quick chat. 

Have a marvellous week everyone, and whatever you are up to — gambatte! 

Regular practice to resume this week + Kendo Related news

With Easter break and Anzac Day public holidays and Sensei away studying, we’ve had a pretty disrupted practice schedule. With all that out of the way we can resume regular practice and with roughly 12 weeks practice the majority of us need to get cracking to have the best possible shot at making the grade. Remember Grading forms are Downloadable from the AKR Website

In other news a few weekends ago held two big events on the Kendo calendar. First the lesser of the two but by no means small was the Australian Kendo Championships (AKC). Held in Perth WA, our best Kenshi performed on the national stage. Our team showed great spirit and fought hard, but the competition was just to much. Our Women’s Dan team managed to near the summit achieving Bronze in the Women’s Dan Team Division. The second significant event from the Kendo calendar was the All Japan 8th Dan Championships. The two day invitational Tournament brought the best 8th Dan masters from all over Japan. Many former All Japan and World champions competed displaying some of the most beautiful Kendo. In the end it was Naoki Eiga sensei on his first time entering the AJ8DC won outright with some amazing displays. This is a video of the Finals for interest.

Sean T

Kendo Coordinator

Jujutsu this week: Monday 29 April 2019

Morning all,

This week in jujutsu will be focused around preparation for the upcoming grading opportunity. Can I please as that you let myself know if you will be attending training this week so that suitable arrangements can be made for class content. Michael will not be at back in Toowoomba until the end of the week, so I will be taking both classes.

For tonight’s class, can I ask that you let me know directly if you will be attending.

For Thursday, things will need run slightly differently. I will be at parent teacher interviews until just after 6pm and will be heading directly to the dojo for jujutsu. But since I may be a touch late, Jack, as a more senior student, has agreed to oversee the set up and beginning of the warm up in my absence. As soon as I arrive I will be on the mat and we will continue with class as normal.

Can I please ask that if you will not make an evening this week that you let me know as soon as convenient.

Best of luck in the upcoming grading!

BBRD Jujutsu grading opportunity Saturday 4 May

There will be an available grading opportunity for Jujutsu on Saturday 4 May. We shall be starting at 10.30 am at the MEAC. 

Those interested in challenging for a grade must notify me of their intention, and deposit the $30 grading fee into the Club’s account no later than Friday 3 May. 

Make sure that you have a look at the required grading sheet to assess the criteria against which you will be assessed. If you do not have access to one for the grade you are attempting, please contact me urgently so I can send a copy through to you. 

The lead up to this grading is less than ideal due to a number of factors, including my being away till the day of the grading and other dates in May being unavailable. I would strongly urge that you work closely with Brady in class so sharpen up your skills and/or clarify with him any issues regarding the syllabus. 

Gambatte!  

Public holiday training cancellations

Just a quick note that training in both Toowoomba and Gin Gin will take a break today (Monday 22) and Thursday (ANZAC Day) for public holiday observance.  

We will have a Tuesday night jujutsu class in Gin Gin to make up for the missed session today, starting at 6 pm after regular Judo class.  

QKR Winter Seminar Announcement

For those of you who haven’t seen yet, the dates for winter Seminar and Grading opportunity for the Queensland Kendo Renmei (QKR) have been announced. It will again be at the Tallebudgera Leisure Centre on the 13th and 14th of July. The seminar cost is $70 for the two days, and we are again planning to head down on Friday afternoon and stay on the Coast in an AirBnB. Kateena and I are the only Toowoomba kendoka planning to challenge for grade, but I urge all who are available to come along and have a go. Participation in events such as these are important for all involved as it not only helps improve technical ability in the art but also assists to network and grow the Kendo community in Queensland. So if interested and it is your  first time to a seminar like this please see either Michael B Sensei or myself for further details.

In the mean time we will no doubt be ramping up practice to focus on grading syllabus, which can be found at the QKR Website.

Sean T
Kendo coordinator

MEAC cleaning this week

Hello All,

The school will be having the MEAC cleaned this Thursday (no indication of what time), so if the arts that train on Tuesday ensure that the mats are put away and any other club property then the cleaners shouldn’t have any issues.

Eric