TSG Winter Camp 2023

Sunday

The first training of the day and last of the camp was at 9 am. Shihan Raul held that one, and it was with thankfulness not too hard and exhausting. Some fun combos with a well-deserved water break in between. But the worst session of the day was yet to come.

The Dan grading

The Toris who were grading was: Sempai Burch to Sandan, Sempai Fufu to Nidan, Sempai Tommy to Nidan, Sempai Joakim to Nidan, Sempai Robert Bank from Sweden to Shodan and Sempai Robert from Romania to Shodan.

It started off with some short combos on pads to make Toris relax.

This was followed up by fighting drills that unfortunately didn’t last very long until Sempai Joakim injured his hip, from a miss-hap during the fighting drill. That really messed the rest of his grading up…

The grading carried on with Ippon kumite.

This means that the Tori places himself in the middle of a ring of Ukes. One of them steps forward and throws a left straight punch and an optional technique of their liking. The Tori has to block and counter and rapidly face the next Uke waiting with a new attack. This proceeds to go on for a predetermined number of minutes, depending on the Dan grade.

After everyone had done their Ippon Kumite and showed great variety of defense and counters, the last part of the grading was up: the sparring!

15 rounds of very tough sparring were stunning to watch!

There were some moments where we thought they wouldn’t make it, but they proved us wrong. Really well fought and a well-deserved grading from everyone.

Everyone passed and the camp pretty much wrapped up after the certificate and belt ceremony.

Congratulations to the new black belts!

The Sunday evening

Everyone who stayed on after the camp went, as tradition after the Winter Camps, to O’Leary’s for dinner (O’Leary’s is an American restaurant, with bowling, pool and very nice food).

There were around 20 of us and we had a great time just talking and enjoying ourselves. The youths went playing arcade games, pool and had great desserts.

We all lost track of time and stayed on till closing.

After dinner, everyone said goodbye and we hope to see everyone again soon. The camp was a real fun experience for everyone and once again it was a pleasure to see that many people coming here honoring our well beloved Soke.

Until next time, OSU!

Sempai Alexander Beltowski