Sam Sobkowiak
has become the first junior under the UFBDA to achieve his 1st
Dan Black Belt; this was no ordinary grading as Sam along with
13 other hopefuls had the extra pressure of being examined by
Master Shi Xing Du who is the 32nd generation Shaolin Temple
Monk. The Grading
started on the Saturday when all who were grading had to attend
the Cheltenham leisure centre for five hours, showing their
speed, power and agility from techniques that they have been
taught from their style of martial art.
On the Sunday
it was more up tempo as another five hours had to be done, in
this session all students had to show their street self defence,
unarmed and armed along with set sequences from their particular
style. After the five hours had finished the prospective black
belts had to travel over to the WUMA HQ about three miles away,
then the real work started. Sam had to endure three hours of
quick fire techniques given by eight different-styled martial
arts grading examiners led by Master Xing Du.
He had to
do shadow sparring, free sparring, Pad and Bag work and was
only allowed to stop for much needed drink when allowed. For those
who have not yet endured this grading you earn every stitch
on the belt and should always wear it with pride and the knowledge
of knowing it was well deserved.
