NEWS FROM THE LOWESTOFT AND HALESWORTH DOJANGS (June / July 2010)

On Wednesday June 2nd a black belt grading was held for over forty Kuk Sool practitioners at the Waterlane Sports Centre, Lowestoft.

For at least ten students from the Halesworth Kuk Sool School this was to be there final test before achieving their black belts.

The grading, which incorporated all aspects of the martial arts such as, kicking, punching, pre-arranged forms, self-defence techniques, board breaking and weapons was conducted by several senior Kuk Sool Masters, including the Grandmasters two eldest son's.
 
On Saturday 5th June, the successful candidates from the Halesworth and Lowestoft Kuk Sool School, all travelled to King Lynn, Norfolk to receive their Black Belts, which were personally awarded by the Grandmaster himself in front of a very large audience of family and friends.

A special mention goes to Rory Davies who received an emotional standing-ovation from the audience when being awarded his second degree black belt.

Rory is currently battling a severe illness and was only able to make his promotion after recently coming home after a prolonged period of treatment in Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Special congratulations go to the following people on achieving their first degree Black belts.

 

From Left to right; back row
Jamie Freeman, Jack Robbins, Robert Kemp, Chris Rogers 

Front row
Bilal Bounit, Finn Clouting, Alex Rogers

Also not pictured Alice Colls, Matthew Keal

1st degree Black Belt; Sian Savage, Brendan Harper, Shay Jordan, Ben Norris, Joseph Barber, Laura Gasson, Laura Riches, Andy Hemmings.

2nd degree Black Belt; Michael Garrod, Rory Davies

3rd degree Black Belt; Harriette Goldspink

4th degree Black Belt; Jonathan Denny, Matthew Goldspink

Martial Art Mum Win's Major European Title

A local mother has recently won a major martial art competition at the Kuk Sool Won European Championships at Kings Lynn on Saturday 5th June. The two-day event, is one of the largest martial art competitions in the region, saw over six hundred competitors coming from all parts of Europe to compete.

Janet Small 47, from Reydon near Southwold, had to compete in a variety of different categories, including sword, sparring and board breaking.

Janet won five gold medals and one silver medal to take the overall 1st degree Black Belt Senior Grand Championship title. Her particular division was made up from a large selection of both men and women and witnessed Janet providing the Judging panel with several faultless performances.

When asked about her achievement, Janet said, that she was really surprised and pleased at the same time, and added "I knew I had done well but I wasn't sure if I'd gained the overall Grand Championship title until the end of the day."Janet, who works as a local artist, is also a part-time gardener at St. Felix School, Southwold. She has been practicing the traditional Korean Martial Art of Kuk Sool Won for six years and trains regularly several times a week at both the Halesworth and Lowestoft Kuk Sool Schools.

The married mum, who has an twelve year old son, seems an unlikely candidate to be participating in the martial arts. Janet initially started the martial arts for fitness reasons, however she has already set her sights on her next major goal; to achieve her second-degree black belt, which she say's she'll be taking some-time next year.