Shodan-Ho Gradings
1st September 2007
Honbu Dojo


Lou during her combat fitness tests.
Sempai Sheila still going strong after her 12 mile run.


Renshi Trevor helping Ruth out of the water.

On the 1st of September 2007, Lisa Johnson and Del Shannon from the Thetford Dojo and Lou Panteli and Ruth Rogers from the Borehamwood Dojo were joined by a support team of a dozen senior grades from the Borehamwood, Thetford, Bushey and Honbu Dojos to take on the challenge of sitting their all-day Shodan Ho gradings at the Honbu Dojo.

They were joined by some of the organisations senior grades sitting their compulsory fitness tests, which they must re-sit every four months until they successfully become a Dan grade.

The start time was set at 8.00am with a rapid drive down to the Norfolk Golf and Country Club for the start of the run, But in true Ishin Ryu tradition, (working on Ishin Ryu time) it was 8:30 / 8:45. Having completed the first six miles on the road, the four Shodan-Ho candidates, were straight into the six mile cross country section followed by an extremely arduous swim through a cold lake with the other senior candidates, a true testament to the toughness and demanding nature of this grading.

All the students completed the run and then performed their fifty push-ups, sit-ups, leg raises and squat thrusts that comprise their basic fitness test in a field before returning to the Norfolk Golf and Country Club for a hot shower and a hearty breakfast.

Taking a well deserved breakfast.
Ruth and Lisa demonstrating all their throws.


Lisa and Ruth heavily engaged in groundwork.

It was then a quick drive back to Honbu to complete a very severe grading, which lasted for six and a half hours, during which time the candidates were truly tested to their limits, covering syllabus techniques from white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, brown/black and Shodan-Ho belts. The grading began with Ruth, Lou, Del and Lisa performing four sword Kata followed by Del, partnered with Sempai Kamal, Lisa, partnered with Sempai Vearnon and Ruth partnered with Lou for some very impressive embu (pair form display) whilst the grading panel, consisting of Kevin Pell Hanshi, Trevor Steward Renshi, Mark Hayden-Smith Renshi, Andrew Herbert Sensei and Mark Thomas Sensei took it in turns to read through the candidates application to grade letters and essays.

The last hour and a half of the grading consisted of the students joining together for a good old fashioned Ishin Ryu beasting, which consisted of more physical tests over three hundred and sixty assorted throws, ten ground fights and two minute rounds of milling which truly tested their fitness, aggression, determination and courage.

After six and a half hours of non-stop mat work, Ruth, Lou, Del and Lisa were proudly and emotionally presented with their new belts and certificates. All four students deserve the right to stand tall and wear their new Shodan Ho belts with pride, secure in the knowledge that they had done more than enough to wear them and once again to coin one of my favourite phrases, knowing that they had not been purchased off the back of a cornflake packet!

Del and Lou during their hip throw and finish-offs.
Ruth and Lou demonstrating breaking ground strangles.


The day finished with a barbeque and excellent buffet at Sempai Vearnon and Sharon's house, which had been arranged as a surprise going away party to Jessica Kent from the Thetford Dojo, who is shortly of to Sandhurst to become an officer in the British army.

In closing I would just like to state how immensely proud I am of my two girls, Ruth and Lou, from Borehamwood and of Del and Lisa from the Thetford Dojo under Renshi Trevor Steward.

At times like these, when my students push themselves physically and mentally beyond what is generally considered in the martial arts world to be reasonable or normal, I feel that the following prose from Pilgrims Progress sums it up perfectly.

We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall go
Always a little further: it may be
Beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow,
Across that angry or that glimmering sea


The girls in full flow during their two x one minute rounds of milling.
A typically healthy turnout for support of our Shodan Ho candidates.


Thank You Letters

Ouss Soke

I don't know where to start, well lets start by saying thank you for the honour to grade under yourself and a day that I will never forget for as long as I live.

As myself and the many others know that I was a bit of a space cadet on Saturday and by the end of the evening didn't really know what was going on, but knew I must keep going, it must be the hardest thing that I have ever done. I would also like to say a big THANKYOU for the support that everyone has giving me both within jujitsu and outside of the organisation.

Congratulations to Lisa, Ruth and Lou, and I hope your all recovering well.

With Honour and Respect

Del Shannon
Thetford Dojo


To all those souls who were with us physically and spiritually on the day of our toughest test.

As women warriors we came armed with the spirit and courage to complete our first journey. Whilst we were the first to celebrate, we acknowledge those that stood with us, arms around us, lifting our spirits through the day. Thank you! Thank you!

Lou Panteli Sempai - Ruth Rodgers Sempai
It was truly an honour and a privilege to witness the Shodan Ho gradings on Saturday. Lisa, Dell, Lou and Ruth were all amazing as they battled through a gruelling day to earn their Sempai titles. It was a truly inspirational display of martial skills, guts and determination. Well done to them all and thanks for setting such an example for the rest of us!

James Pankiewicz
Bushey Dojo


Congratulations to the new Sempai, Lou Ruth Lisa and Dell. Sorry to hear you were so outnumbered on the matt Dell. Soon Sempai Sheila will be asking all Shodan-Ho to wear pink Gi.

I'm sorry I could not be there I have not missed a Shodan-Ho grading in 9 years but this one fell on my wedding anniversary and I would have been strung up.

It will be an excellent feeling when you are all at the 6th Shochu Geiko Also a big well done to all those who helped out on the day as Uke I have been there it feels like you are doing the grade also.

Congratulations to you all a very proud time for Ishin Ryu Ju-Jitsu.

Sensei Andy Tierney


Well done Sempai Ruth, Sempai Lou, Sempai Dell and sempai Lisa, what a great grading!

Also well done to everyone who completed the 12 mile run and river swim which included my husband Stephen Peil Renshi and my personal student Leigh Keyte!

Laura Peil Sensei
Worcestershire Dojos
Ouss Soke,

I have just been checking the website again and note the achievement of your new Shodan-Ho. Please pass on to them congratulations from Sensei Jane and I and all at St Athan Dojo.

Regards

Paul Rudd Sensei


Ouss Soke,

A massive congratulations to all four of the new Shodan Ho for their gradings. All four showed fighting spirit, Kiai, strength and resilience and was amazing to witness four such determined candidates.

As usual it is a credit to all the Sempai, Sensei, Renshi and Soke himself that such fine students reflect the Ishin Ryu way and continue to do it proud.

Amazing effort.

Honour and Respect.

Gabriel John


Ouss Soke

Just like to pass on my congratulations to the new Sempai, Lisa, Dell, Ruth and Lou after their grading on Saturday. A long and hard day for the four of them but worth it in the end.

I also have to mention that all those who did the run in the morning, it was a tremendous effort. An awesome day which I know Sheila will be overjoyed at as the girls now lead the men 4 to 3!!!!

As a dad I'm grateful to you, Renshi Trevor and Mark, and to Sensei Andy and Mark, for your time and allowing Lisa to prove to herself what she is capable of.

Sharon and I are very proud of her.

with honour and respect

Vearnon Johnson Sempai
Thetford Dojo
Ouss Soke,

Once again an enjoyable senior grade training day.

Congratulations to the four new Shodan-Ho. Well done to Sempai Del, Lisa, Lou and Ruth. It was a good 12 hour grading with a gentle stroll (12 mile run) around the Norfolk golf and country club as a nice two and a half hour warm-up. Well done to Leigh Keyte for completing that as well.

Thank you as well goes to Sharon and Sempai Vernon and Sempai Lisa for opening their house to be invaded by a large bunch of tired Ju-Jitsuka, for an after grading buffet and leaving party for Jess. Jess is leaving for pastures new but I am sure she will put her heart and soul into everything se does. Good luck Jess!

Looking forward to seeing everyone again in two weeks time at the Shochu Geiko.

Domo Arigato

Stephen Peil Renshi
Worcestershire Dojos


Ouss Soke!

I have a few thanks/congratulations/comments to make from the last Advanced training day/ Shodan-Ho grading.

First of all, I would like to thank yourself for your hospitality, as usual I felt at home.

Second, the NEW SEMPAI'S!!! A huge congratulation has to said for the four that graded and passed. It was an honour to play a part of the grading, no matter how little of a part I played. All of the candidates surprised me with the amount of effort and guts they put into this grading. The milling! First time I have ever milled and it was surprisingly fun to mill with Sempai Lou. A huge well done guys!

I would like to thank Sempai Vern and Sharon for the after party and grub. After the long day in the dojo, I think everyone was grateful for the food and the drink.

Finally, I would like to wish Jess from the Thetford Dojo all the best. Since I affiliated to Ishin Ryu, I have noticed she was involved in everything that was going, and that's one hell of an achievement. I wish her the best of luck in college, university and finally Sandhurst! All the best Jess!

Domo Arigato

Leigh Keyte,
Worcestershire Dojo's


Ouss Soke,

Please pass on my sincere congratulations to our new Shodan Ho, namely Sempai Lou, Ruth, Dell (Killer Kiai) and Lisa who all proved themselves so worthy of their new belts and title, they all did an absolutely awesome grading. Thanks also to Sempai Vearnon and Sharon for after grading party and BBQ.

Best wishes to Jess, who will be missed and I wish her the very best of luck at Welbeck, I'm sure she will do just fine.

Also congrats to Simon on passing his newly acquired Yellow belt, it's great to see him back on the Tatami.

Sensei Mark Thomas
Borehamwood Dojo


Congratulations to all the new Shodan Ho's, and to Ruth and Lou I am really happy for you both on becoming the newest sempai of Ishin Ryu I know you must have been throw hell and back a knowing you both train hard and you would have gave it your all.

Well done to all wish I could have seen the look's on your face's that day, well done and hope to see you at the Shochu Geiko this coming weekend.

Kyle Burks Sensei
Halstead Dojo


Just wanted to say a big congratulations to Dell, Lisa, Lou and Ruth on passing their Shodan Ho grading. I know what an arduous day it is and it was very humbling to have witnessed a grading that lasted significantly longer than most I have participated in (with the exception of Sensei Andy's Dan grade!!). A genuine display of grit and determination - well done to all the new Sempai.

Kind regards

Kemal Shaheen Sempai
Thetford Dojo
Ouss to one and all.

Congratulations to all the new Shodan Ho's, a super effort!

Ruth and Lou I am really chuffed for you, I know how much you have had to improve to get there (just joking)!

Seriously though; really happy for you, who would have thought it aye Ruth? I look forward to being there at your Shodan gradings

Onwards and Upwards

Gavin Weir
Borehamwood Dojo


I would like to say how proud I am of my two new Shodan-Ho students. Lisa is the youngest ever girl to achieve the rank of Shodan-Ho which is a fantastic achievement. She showed true determination and Ishin Ryu spirit that would put many martial art students to shame. Well what can I say about super sonic Dell, he is a very respectful and disciplined student and has been a pleasure to teach over the years. It was an honour and privilege as their instructor to award them with their certificates. Congratulations to Sempai Lou and Sempai Ruth in passing their Shodan-Ho grading.

A very big thank you to our support team Sharon Johnson for all the great food she supplied, and of course Sempai Vearnon for holding the after party at their house.

Trevor Steward Renshi
Honbu Dojo