| 7/1/2008 |
On June 21st Dennis Hooker Sensei conducted testing for candidates from Shindai Dojo, and Michi Dojo, our sister dojo in Puerto Rico. On the testing board was Dennis Hooker (6th Dan), Stephen Fasen (4th Dan), Brian Canin (4th Dan), Dr. Charles Harney (3rd Dan, Michi Dojo), Ivan Firacinetti (2nd Dan/Dojo Cho Michi Dojo).
From Michi Dojo, Luis Rodrigues (Yonkyu) and Frances Rosa (Sankyu) showed the integrity of their dojo's instruction by performing well above the rank being sought. William Nieves, who was testing for Shodan, complimented his instructors by his performance... entering the yudansha ranks of Michi dojo as an asset.
The Shindai Dojo candidates were Kip Keiner (Shodan), along with Ian Pinkerton/Yacine Tanane/Peter Murphy/Keith Oshiro/Dan McCartney/Guanghui Zhao who all tested for Nidan. Most of these candidates have trained for years beyond the requirements, but had still polished their Aikido for weeks in preparation for this day. It showed. Under Hooker Sensei's exacting scrutiny , and the nervous observation of friends and family...the candidates performed at an impressive level for over three hours. Hooker Sensei commented that what he saw was both Yudansha becoming Nidan and some of the Nidan as future Aikido teachers. There was struggle and there was stirring performance. Some humbled their teachers and peers by showing a command of Aiki principle we hope to find in ourselves. In the end, try as they might, the board could find no reason not to recommend all candidates for promotion. Saotome Sensei would have been pleased.
The party that followed was almost as grand as the test itself, and lasted almost as long. Anchored by Jeff Honey's ( Master Meat Man) smoked beef briquette, a pot luck repast was set out that is difficult to describe. Balanced by just enough cold beer, the community of Shindai members and their families participated in celebrating the contributions that all had made of consideration, time, and effort that had brought the candidates to this point. Many a toast was made to family and spouses for tolerating the additional training and anxiety.
It is with great pride that we congratulate all those who received well earned promotions. It is with deep appreciation that we recognize again the community around these candidates that support their training. |
