Recent Black Belt Rank Promotions
1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Dan (Renshi) Ranks Awarded!
On November 14th, 2009 Kyoshi Sid Rayford had the honor of awarding six more Black Belt ranks to students after an incredible display of skills and stamina on an exam that lasted 4 1/2 hours. 1st Dan Black Belts were awarded to Tong Lee and Chris Minor, both of Merced. 2nd Dan ranks were awarded to Aundrea Mosley of Merced and Brian McWashington of Atwater. Ernie Macias of Le Grand, CA., earned his 4th Dan rank, and Kyoshi Rayford's son, Jacob, earned his 5th Dan and Renshi title. The Black Belt exam included the performing of all system katas (several times each and some of them finish to start), complexes (with and without an opposing partner), bunkai (applications of kata techniques), kobudo bunkai (bo technique applications with a partner), and much more.
Good Job Shorin-Ryu Warriors!
Photo Below Taken Immediately following the Black Belt Portion and Conclusion of the Exam
A very proud moment for Kyoshi Sid Rayford; handing the 5th Dan certificate and Renshi belt to his son, Renshi Jacob Rayford.
Renshi Charlie Meder and Sensei Aundrea Mosley
Jacob Rayford
Jacob Rayford in full extension of kick and punch during one of the several complexes and Renzoku-kens that the group was asked to perform.
Weapons Work
Led by Renshi Charlie Meder, the group was also asked to work on some bo kata bunkai. The techniques were from Choun No Kon bo kata and executed with partner opposition.
Renshi Don Anderson
Renshi Don Anderson, Chief Instructor of Rayford Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo in Sonora, CA., siezed the opportunity to also get in a good work out for the day.
Sensei Aundrea Mosley
Tong Lee, examining for his 1st Dan Black Belt, is pictured above working hard during one of the bunkai phases of the exam.
Group Kata
Group kata with Sensei Ernie Macias of Le Grand, CA., neareast in photo.
Brian McWashington
Brian McWashington, examining for the 2nd Dan rank, is buzzing through one of the complexes at a very high rate of speed. DO NOT get in his way!
Kyoshi Sid Rayford
Kyoshi Sid Rayford gets plenty of exercise during the examination of his students. He is usually found leading the drills and complexes, but he does so without the pressure of earning his next rank.
Chris Minor
Chris Minor, examining for his 1st Dan Black Belt, is pictured above delivering a kick to the side of Renshi Don Anderson during a bunkai phase of the examination.
Renshi Jacob Rayford-5th Dan
Renshi Jacob Rayford ties his new Renshi belt for the first time. Renshi Jake began training at age four under his father in Hanford, CA. With the exception of a two year absence due to high school and college sports, Renshi Jacob has now been training for a solid 15 years. While training, Renshi Jake enjoyed numerous tournament kumite and kata wins and also had the honor of being taught by Hanshi Sid Campbell from time to time. Renshi Jake also received a certificate from WOSKKA that was signed and sent to him by Hanshi Dan Tosh, WOSKKA president.
Tong Lee
Tong Lee is well known for his sharp techniques and training ethics. He works very hard to improve the most basic of techniques, which in turn has made his advanced techniques quite sharp and precise. He is a welcome addition to the dojo teaching staff and Kyoshi Rayford is very proud of the progress that he has made thus far.