My Karate Journey by Poppy a 15yr old nidan

Having participated in Shotokan Karate for many years, it was my dad who wished for me to do two things—some form of martial arts and swimming. Also, my godfather, Al Peasland, whom I have always respected and looked up to, influenced my journey.

As an only child, at the age of seven, my mum took me to a karate class at the local school hall. I was quite nervous walking into a room of 30-plus students and parents, but I was welcomed right into the family. After a couple of weeks, I was taken under the wing of a 40+ 10th Kyu lady. I was able to take my first grading after only three weeks. Through the support and guidance of the Sensei, I continued to love going each week and managed to grade every three months until I finally left the club as a 1st Kyu karate-ka.

Even at a young age, I had the opportunity on several occasions to direct the whole class in warm-up exercises and demonstrate my ability to perform katas up to my current grade, as well as spar with other students. At no point were there any negatives to my age or gender, and we all seemed like a family.

As time moved on, the club started to move away from the passion of teaching and became more of a business. Costs increased, starting with class fees, then rising clothing and equipment prices, and onto grading fees. During this time, I went to competitions with others from the club and even won some awards for my standard in kata and kumite.

The Journey to 1st Dan

My karate journey was reborn at TSKC, with expert instruction, support, and guidance from other karateka and a network of the best instructors in different martial arts, not only in this country but from around the world.

It was when I started my biggest challenge—preparing for my 1st Dan—that I was truly tested to my limits. At TSKC, it doesn’t matter what age or gender you are—we are all equal. I had so much to learn: all the bad habits I had gained and differences in form to correct. I had never graded before at another club, so I was very nervous and unsure of what to expect.

My preparation for grading was a six-month journey, much of it over Zoom, although we were finally back in the dojo after the lockdown. As my main instructor, Les Sensei, would be the judge at my grading, my job was to impress and prove my ability to Steve Sensei. Every session leading up to my grading, he tested my knowledge and ability in kihon, kata, and application—but most importantly, he tested me.

I took my grading alongside another 1st Kyu student. There were also two senior students taking their 3rd Dans and a further four students taking their 2nd Dans. I was physically fit and prepared, but nothing could have fully set me up for the final stage—the fighting.

I fought intensely with a senior female student and also with Sensei’s son, who is a brilliant fighter. Hot, sweaty, red-faced, and with tears in my eyes, my name was called out. I beamed with pride as I received a beautiful certificate that I will cherish for the rest of my life, along with a black belt to wear proudly in every class.