Brown Belt Test

USU's Kyu Shin Ryu Chapter met on Saturday for the annual belt advancement test. Ian was very nervous about it this year, perhaps because the brown belt test involved ukemi (skills of falling and rolling) and a kata (a choreographed sequence of positions) in addition to the usual test of kicks and punches.

Getting ready to warm up with the group...

The test:

Andrew, Ryan, Ian, Trenton, and Taggart with their new brown belts!
Don't pick a fight with any of these guys.

After the belts were awarded, it was sparring time! Ian did a great job and later lost a match to a larger and very quick boy named Alex. Andrew almost made it to the final trophy round but then got defeated by Alex too. Their friends Xavier and Taggart took 1st and 2nd place, respectively, after going into overtime. We thought it was great how the class members were cheering for both Taggart and Xavier during the final match. It's difficult when friends have to compete against each other. Everyone exhibited good sportsmanship.

Ian's and Andrew's Cheering Section
(along with Erin, Dad, and Mom who aren't pictured)

Ian and Andrew with Sensei Gary Connors
They have been together in karate for 4 years now.
Andrew will be moving to the adult class next year, and Ian will miss being with him.



Until next fall..."Be good kids, and DON'T START FIGHTS!"