The Beaver Valley and Rossland Karate Dojo got rained out on Saturday morning at Gyro Park, where they usually undergo their annual testing, but the show did go on as the Karate kas moved to higher ground.
Following testing within the dry confines of the Fruitvale Memorial Hall, Sensei Scott Hutcheson promoted Cedric Boothe from the Rossland Dojo to ninth Kyu, Jonathon Gardner to eighth Kyu, and Morgaine Watts to seventh Kyu.
“Promotions are not an easy task in traditional karate,” said Hutcheson. “O-Sensei Chitose had to study his first Kata for seven years before his Sensei would teach him his second Kata. It requires not only a proper attitude, diligent attendance and proficiency for their level, the higher level testing requires a longer time to have to put into training just to be eligible to grade.”
Emily Gardner, Taeo Bednarz, and Findlay Smith were graded for an additional stripe on their yellow belts or fifth Kyu, while from the BV Dojo, Dawson Stemmler was promoted to his orange belt (fourth Kyu) and Meagan Campsall was promoted to her blue belt (second Kyu).
“Annually we also give out our Honour Sword to the student or students who best exemplify the warrior spirit and the way of the Samurai,” said Hutcheson. “To a Samurai, our sword is not just a physical weapon but a spiritual one as well. It represents everything a Samurai should mean; it can bring war, deliver peace, it can defend injustice, and provide or take life and can only be entrusted to those who can wield its power with honour.”
A Samurai wielded three swords in battle: a Katana, Wakazashi, and a Tanto, each being slightly smaller than the other. This year, the Tanto blade was awarded to Rossland’s Morgaine Watts for being the only Rossland student to attend Sensei Tanedas Friendship tournament, while Meagan Campsall received the Wakazashi Blade. Campsall competed in four competitions this year including the prestigious BC Winter Games and the provincials. The Katana blade was then awarded to Dawson Stemmler for earning the Best Male athlete at the BV Karate Championships, and competing at the Friendship tournament in Penticton where he won a bronze medal against the best fighters from the Chito Ryu style across Western Canada.
The BV and Rossland Karate Club will also participate in the Internment Karate Camp sponsored by the Columbia Basin Trust and Regional District Central Kootenay in New Denver Aug. 4-6. Any style of Martial Arts is welcome. For more information on BV-Rossland Karate call BV Rec 367-9319 or Rossland Rec 362-2327 and check their Facebook page for details on the Karate Camp.