My Promotion to Yondan
May. 19, 2010 By: Filed in: Tests & Preparation
I have some good news to share here on the blogosphere. After reviewing my 6,000 word written thesis on knife defense, as well as my teaching skills in a recent knife defense course that I instructed, among other things appropriately chosen by my superiors, my Sensei, Ed Hiscoe Shihan, informed me that I am to be promoted to Yondan, 4th degree black belt, in the art of Can-ryu Jiu-jitsu.
My belt will be presented to me by Steve Hiscoe Shihan (my Sensei’s son) at the upcoming black belt seminar in Chilliwack, BC. I’ll be teaching a two-hour course covering higher level ground defense curriculum that day. This is another milestone in my 17-year career in the martial arts.
Thanks everyone for all your support past, present and future!
We're proud to announce that Lori O'Connell Sensei's new book, When the Fight Goes to the Ground: Jiu-jitsu Strategies & Tactics for Self-Defense, published through international martial arts publisher Tuttle Publishing, is now available in major book stores and online. More about it & where to buy it.
A bow and congratulations to you!
Congratulation on the promotion and the 17 years of study Lori.
osu!
6000 words? OMG. I only had to do something like that for my MBA program. So … hearty congratulations! Colin
Thanks for all your support everyone! This blog has been an invaluable tool, allowing me to bounce ideas of my readers. Go-kurosamadeshita!
Rob,
Thanks for your sentiments. I accidentally mis-clicked and rejected your comment though. You asked why I chose knife defense. I didn't actually choose it. It was assigned to me.
Lori
I like the concept of submitting a written thesis as part of your grading. It's not something I've come across before in jujitsu/judo but it has existed in Italian fencing for centuries and I think it makes a lot of sense.
Congratulations Lori,
I just did a word count on mine and it was just over 3000 words (I did for my Godan). It is funny the different requirements for each system… for my Yodan I had to create 10 techniques and 2 kata.
Thanks again everyone! Rob, I agree. I think at the higher levels writing a thesis makes sense. It was a lot of work, but well worth the effort.
John, the funny thing is that they never told me that it should be 6,000 words long, I just wrote it until I thought I covered enough ground to address the various points I was told to cover. Sound like what you did for Yondan must have been fun!
Congratulations!
Mes respects!