Grading Graduation – May 2011

Saturday 7th May saw the latest UK MASDA Grading Graduation, celebrated in style at The Marconi club, Chelmsford. The event, as always, was a great way to celebrate the success and achievement of a number of people who have been working hard towards their martial arts goals.

In the morning of the same day, Laurence Sandum hosted a competition at the same venue. After a short lunch break, the Grading Graduation got under way.

Kicking things off was a demonstration of our Children’s Martial Arts Programmes, followed by the awarding of their certificates. The children then had the opportunity to have the faces painted and get some balloon models.

Next, it was the turn of the adults, giving demonstrations and receiving certificates in some of the arts that we offer; Jun Fan Gung Fu, Kali, Kickboxing, MMA and Muay Thai.

Additional presentations were made to those that had acheived other accreditation, such as Instructor rank and grading examiner status.

We were lucky enough to have Guro Ralph Jones in attendence at the event. Guro Ralph, one of only 6 Full Instructors in Jun Fan JKD and Kali in Europe under Guro Dan Inosanto, gave an interesting speech on the history and lineage of Jun Fan and Kali, linking Laurence Sandum directly to both Sijo Bruce Lee and Guro Dan Inosanto.

Well done to everyone that attended, the event goes to show the level of commitment to the arts that both the students and instructors of the academy possess. We look forward to seeing you all again, to receive your next level certificate, at the next ceremony later this year.