BLOOD………SWEAT………TEARS…………

And that was before the graduation! What came after was an amazing feet of dedication, determination and sheer will power. All in the name of improving yourselves and making sure that you are the best possible Black Belt you can be!!

16 took to the mats to push themselves to the limit in the hope of gaining that ultimate black belt. Pushing yourself through the pain barrier and showing everyone the grit and determination it takes to be a Chuldow black belt. You all showed the grading panel exactly why and how much you deserved that black belt you now wear.

We then had 6 candidates pushing on even further to try and attain the even more coveted 2^nd dan. After 2 ½ hours each and every single one was asked a simple question “do you wish to continue?”. A simple “No sir” would see them safely going home and put an end to the gruelling graduation. However not one wanted to quit, not one wanted to give up, but everyone knew what was coming. The dreaded “walk of pain” and knowing this was due every single one refused to quit and with a perky smile, replied. YES SIR, (I want to continue). This is what it means to be a black belt. Taking that challenge, not being beaten and refusing to give up.

Every single candidate this weekend, showed those values. They proved to themselves and everyone else that they have what it takes to be the best……….A Chuldow black belt!

Be proud of yourselves ladies and gents, yet again a new bar has been set for others to follow!

Black belt register will be updated shortly, but for now here is the full list that graduated to Black belt this weekend:-

Kickboxing: 1st Dan
Robert Johnson (Wakefield)

Michaela Curtis (Normanton)

Levi Hedges (Morley)

Karate:1st Dan
Dalton Mason (Knottingley)

Matthew Sharpe (Knottingley)

Liam Tupling (Knottingley)

Harrison Lee (Knottingley)

Joel Matthew (Sandal)

Connor Bedford (Sandal)

Emma Wilkinson (Kippax)

Karate: 2nd Dan
Wayne Brear (Knottingley)

Cheryl Archer (Knottingley)

Sally Meiningen (Knottingley)

Barry Glover (Wakefield)

Jacob Glover (Wakefield)

Cam Hauer (Wakefield)

 

WOW!!!! To say 2012 finished on a massive high with the Black Belt gradings and leaving everyone thinking that was an impossible act to follow. 2013 then kicks off with yet ANOTHER OUTSTANDING performance from the black Belt candidates. The standard shown over this last weekend has been absolutely superb. We just don’t know how you guys keep coming and proving that there’s always more to give!

Again with a massive black belt graduation held, it was not easy to stand out this weekend. An unbelievable amount of 25 took to the mats to push yourselves to the limit in the hope of gaining that ultimate black belt. Pushing yourself through the pain barrier and showing everyone the grit and determination it takes to be a Chuldow black belt. Through blood, sweat and tears the emotions ran high (and that was just from the parents waiting) but the true spirit of Martial Arts shone brightly this weekend and not one of you gave up! You all showed the grading panel exactly why and how much you deserved that black belt you now wear.

Those of you who then thought that was tough had to observe the gruelling “walk of pain”. The 4 black belts (who obviously didn’t have enough the first time round) stepping on to the mats to receive even more punishment to only receive a piece of ribbon must be crazy? But only you will know and understand that the sacrifices you’ve made over the last two years, the pain you suffered during and afterwards is all worth the fact that you can now call yourself 2^nd dans in your respective styles! Only a handful of people can relate to what you went through but as the videos show, the last 10 minutes on that nice and peaceful “walk” was nothing compared to how much you wanted and deserved your new titles.

Be proud of yourselves ladies and gents, yet again a new bar has been set for others to follow!

Black belt register will be updated shortly, but for now here is the full list that graduated to Black belt this weekend:-

Kickboxing: 1st Dan
Helen Gelder (Wakefield)
Tauseef Ahmed (Wakefield)
Wayne Brear (Knott)
Zoe Bilyj (Knott)
Joshua Meiningen (knott)
Thomas Atkinson (Knott)
Robert Lafferty (Knott)
Janine Lafferty (Knott)
Michael Norbury (Knott)

Kickboxing: 2nd Dans
Kian Lafferty (Knott)
Jacques Morley (Knott)
Ian Kelly (Wakefield)

Karate:1st Dan
Michael Rudge (Wakefield)
John Lane (Wakefield)
Sarah Martin (Wakefield)
Tyler Mason (Wakefield)
Alysia Wood (Kippax)
Emily Butler (Kippax)
Millie Wray (Kippax)
Harry Pickersgill (Kippax)
Libby Doughty (Knott)
Adam Ahmed (Knott)
Joanne Harper (Knott)
Andrew Walker (Knott)
Thomas Clark (Knott)
Christopher Harris (Knott)
Helen Harris (Knott)
Liz Croft (South Kirkby)

Karate: 2nd Dan
Andrew Martin (Wakefield)

WELL… What can we say, with only one lot of graduations to go, we seem to be finishing the year on a massive high!! The standard shown over this last weekend has been absolutely superb, from the tiny tots, right through to the grumpy old men!

With what seemed like one of the largest black belt graduations held, it was not easy to stand out this weekend. A massive 24 of you took to the mats to push yourselves to the limit. In the hope of gaining that coveted black belt and boy we were not disappointed.

Through blood, sweat and tears the emotions ran high (and that was just from the parents waiting) but the true spirit of Martial Arts shone brightly this weekend and not one of you gave up! Each and every one of you pushed through the pain barrier and gave everything. Even when you thought you couldn’t and you all showed the grading panel exactly why and how much you deserved that black belt you now wear. It is an absolute honour to be a part of your Martial Arts journey, and your lives for that matter. Wear your black belt with pride and dignity, remember black belts lead by Example, Example, and Example. You certainly set that for the next group to follow!

Black belt register will be updated shortly, here is the full list that graduated to Black belt this weekend:-

Kickboxing 1^st Dan

Jamie Gelder (Wakefield) 

Barry Glover (Eggborough / Wakefield)

 Scott Barker (Wakefield)
Karate: 1^st Dan

 James Simms (Knottingley)

 Kaycee Hayward (Knottingley)

 Annie Betchetti (Knottingley)

 Annabel Holmes (Knottingley)

 Corey Ellis (Knottingley)

 Dylan Maundrill (Knottingley)

 Ryan Barlow (Knottingley)

 Madison Virr (Knottingley)

 Jenny Prebble (Knottingley)

 Andrew Barker (Knottingley)

 Scott O’Hare (Eggborough)

 Paris Mann (Walton)

 Rachael Lovell (Wakefield)

 Lucie Harrison (Morley)

 Charlotte Farrell (Woodlesford)

 James Turnbull (Sandal)

 George Denson (Sandal)

 Alice Wray (Kippax)

Karate 2^nd Dans

Ben Walker (Knottingley)

John Curtis (Normanton / Wakefield)

Eloisa Ridley (Wakefield)

What can we say ?

Action packed amazing kata perfomance with some exciting fights ! Massive thank you to the support from parents, family and friends. Well done everyone who entered, be proud !

Congratulations to the new black belts who showed skill, knowlegde and dedication to their style.

 

Ben Reucroft – Nunchaku 1st Dan – Kippax

James Turnbull – Sai Jutsu 1st Dan -Sandal

Ben Walker – Jo Justu 1st Dan – Knottingley

Simon Walker – Iaido 2nd Dan – Knottingley

 

Wow, what an exceptional weekend at Chuldow HQ.

It was time for a group of students to step onto the mats for the final time wearing a coloured belt, to face up to their nerves , the excitement, the anticipation of the unknown few hours ahead, the adrenaline and oh all those emotions !!!  Each and every person who takes their Black Belt will have their own story to tell of why they started Martial Arts and the journey they have taken to get them to the day of the Black Belt. However one thing every single person had in common was the desire to succeed and to accomplish their goal. 

Physical application, stamina and strength are all a big part of any graduation .But what took precedence to this was the passion and focus each person showed. The support one member gave to the next and the pure emotion was evident as thanks were given for the support that family and friends have shown.

It was an honour to witness these new black belts succeed with style and class, congratulations to the following:

Kickboxing 1st Dan

 Karl Lacey

Alexandra Brookes

 Karate 1st Dan

Kevin Langstaff

Sandra Rudge

David Skeldon

Theo Harmer

Grace Johnson

Benjamin Lawton

 Lee Mulvey (Normanton)

 Mark Reather (Normanton)

 Mick Virr (Knottingley)

 Bailey Farrell (Knottingley)

George Willshaw (from Kippax)

Advance Dans 2nd Dan

 Kirsty East (Morley / Wakefield)

 Dan Barraclough

Advance Dans 3rd Dan

Ian Kelly (Woodlesford/ Wakefield) 

UBB Completion

Only 5 out of 16 completed the challenge!!!

Jake Normington

Sally Meiningen

Ian Kelly

Sarah Hauer

Ary Hauer

A huge congratulations to 3 members of Chuldow who attained black belt  in Weaponry.

Congratulations to

Connor Allen from South Kirkby who atttained Black Belt in Kama Jutsu

Chris Walker from Knottingley who attained Black Belt in Sai Jutsu

Finally Congratulations to Simon Walker who is one of few that attained 2nd Dan Black Belt in Sai Jutsu.

A brilliant standard set by you all, you gave all the students something to aspire towards.

Congratulations to an amazing group of people who passed their black belt at Chuldow HQ over the weekend.

Each and every one of you deserve to wear your belt with pride, each journey to black belt holds a unique and personal story… you are all amazing people !

Each and every one of you demonstrated what martial arts is really about, commitment, focus, determination, emotional strength and a whole lot of physcial endurance

Congratulations to the following members:

Kickboxing Black Belts

1st Dans
Leon Parsons (Wakefield)
Adrian Huxley (Wakefield)
Aaron Huxley (Wakefield)
Angela Farmer (Knottingley)
Sally Meiningen (Knottingley)
Mark Meiningen (Knottingley)
James Meiningen (Knottingley)

2nd Dans:
Natalie Wright (Wakefield)
John Curtis (Wakefield)

Karate Black Belts:

1st Dans:
Claire Scott (Wakefield)
Emma Davies (Knottingley)
Chris Walker (Knottingley)
Sean Davies (Knottingley)
Thomas Wood (Sandal)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to all students who graduated this weekend, this special mention is for all those who attained Black Belt !  The standard was very high and you all worked very hard to gain your new belts, young or old you are an inspiration to your loved ones and us the instructors !

On Saturday in Kickboxing we had Max Bell, Charlotte Greenaway, Jon Field, Marc Bradley, Alistair Thomson, William Wilson and Rebecca Wilson from Wakefield Academy, Nick Bland and Debra Evans from Woodlesford Academy who all graduated to 1st Dan Black Belt. Also special congratulations to Jeff Moore from Wakefield Academy who graduated to 2nd Dan Black Belt. Well Done!!

On Sunday in Karate we had Athiesh Manoharan, Ismail Khan and James Armitage from Wakefield Academy, Julie Bolton, Scott Bolton and Alex Bolton from Walton Academy, Mark Forbes from Normanton Academy, Tamara Lawton from South Kirkby Academy, Benjamin Reucroft from Kippax Academy, Hazel Virr, Ryan Mc Donough, Abigail Jackson and Ellie-Mae Harrison from Featherstone Academy and Mark Eadie and Mark Mc Loughlin from Knottingley Academy who all graduated to 1st Dan. Well Done to you all!

 

Here are some of your comments:

Congratulations to all who graduated today big well done for those who went black belt and a massive thank you to all who encouraged me all the way too many to mention  so  here is a BIG THANK YOU   – Jeff Moore

Looking forward to meeting my next three black belts tomorrow, Abbie Rubie Jackson, EllieMae Harrison & Ryan McDonough You will learn tomorrow why I push you so hard, just soak it up and enjoy, tune in and do what I know you’re capable of, push yourselves to your absolute limit and then the buzz you get from being awarded that belt will be immense. Remember, ANYONE can get a black belt (JJB Sports, about 4 quid) really earning one is something else entirely – Rob Hubbard

 

Congratulations to all that graded today in kickboxing. Those of you who achieved their black belts well done. A really big congrats to a big hearted guy for achieving his 2nd Dan in kickboxing – John Curtis

Is now officially a Black belt 1st Dan in Kickboxing. Thanks to everyone who supported, sparred, grappled and encouraged me. It was a pleasure as always to be on the mats! – Marc Bradley

A big thank you too all my friends & family, along with all my fellow students from Karate: Shaun Mckee, EllieMae Harrison, Abbie Rubie Jackson, Zack Grant, Philip Grant and of course my instructor Rob Hubbard for guiding me along the past 10 belts towards Black Belt. Here’s to more fun. – Ryan mcdonough

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very big well done to Mr Darren Ettles and Mr Kevin Clancey who attained Black Belt in Iaido (Sword) at the Weapons Seminar held at Chuldow HQ.  Your skill was admired by all those following in your footsteps. 

Your instructors and examiners were extremely proud of the commitment and passion demonstrated throughout the day.

Comments from fellow students:

Mark Brookes  “Looked great them fellas did!  I was very impressed.”

Nicola Claire Oxley-Moore “Congratulations to both of you.. amazing achievement. Wish I’d seen your katas..bet they were awesome!!”

Alexandra Leigh Brookes “They looked very very Impressive can’t wait till I get to the point where I look as good as that with a sword”

Mark Meiningen “Well done to you both.”