EJC's BLACK BELTS

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 Examnination at High Wycombe