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| Kim Colvin Struts Her Stuff |
My sensei, she is earning her sixth degree black belt.
And of course, Kim Colvin (aka KC) has had more than her fair share of obstacles along the way. While it's extra cool that she's a women earning her sixth degree, she counts as an inspirational sensei and instructor in any league. And it helps that she's a recognized pioneer of women in the martial arts.
I remember a few years ago, in one of my favorite posts, I mentioned that I was one of the few people historically who could say: My sensei is pregnant!
| Elite Force Black Belt Spectacular KC Lavallee Earns her 6th Degree Mike Sweeney earns the sensei title! |
How many women have earned their sixth degree? Do you know any? If so, please comment and tell us.
And the Black Belt Spectacular is on November 3rd, 12 pm. The venue is provided by Westiminister Academy arranged by Coach Boland, presumably.
The Black Belt Spectacular is the award show where the news black belts strut their stuff, For years, it was in local school gyms and then for about five years, they upgraded it to the Parker Playhouse and made it into a more formal and slicker presentation. We are now returning to the charm and intimacy of the previous era which I think is a step forward into the past.
Ouse! So here's to our Ft Lauderdale martial arts school, Northeast Broward dojo.
The Black Belt Spectacular is the award show where the news black belts strut their stuff, For years, it was in local school gyms and then for about five years, they upgraded it to the Parker Playhouse and made it into a more formal and slicker presentation. We are now returning to the charm and intimacy of the previous era which I think is a step forward into the past.
Ouse! So here's to our Ft Lauderdale martial arts school, Northeast Broward dojo.
5 comments:
You cross-poste this on the Facebook group. Here's some comments:
Linda Thiis. Wow, I am impressed! That is something to have in mind while training:)
Yesterday at 14:42 · Like
Steve Wilson. Linda Marchant is the highest graded goju ryu woman in the UK and is 6th Dan.
Yesterday at 17:08 via mobile · Like
Fiona Shane Simmonds. My female instructor is looking to grade for her 6th dan next year
20 hours ago ·
In response to your comment on my blog: I don't have any kind of list of female martial artists achievements but I can tell you about two other women: Sensei Christine Poole is 6th dan in jujitsu. She is based in the North of England, here's a link to a blog post about her: http://marfest-uk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/jujitsu-with-sensei-christine-poole.html
But more impressive is the achievement of Keiko Fukuda Sensei who achieved the rank of 10th dan this year in judo at the age of 98! Here's a link to a blog post about her: http://kickasssuec.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/never-to-old-keiko-fukuda-sensei.html
I sometimes train with Renshi Pam Johansen and Karen Conley-Greene.
Renshi Johansen holds the rank of 6th degree. Shihan Karen Conley-Greene, wife of Roger Greene, holds the rank of 6th degree as well. Both women are role models and inspiration for me to continue my training!
Pat Hendricks Sensei is a 7th Dan in Aikido
Kyoshi Judy Modafferi-Tearney is an 8th Dan
Kim "KO" Andrello is a 6th Degree
Kyoshi Tisha Bronner-Trotman is at least a 6th Dan
Those are just a few that I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure there are hundreds or thousands of others around the world. It's still a significant achievement, though.
Not quite sure how rare it is for women - statistically, anyway - but as 6th dan rank is rarer than 5th dan, which is rarer than 4th, 3rd and 2nd dan (you get my point), I'm sure there are lot less women with the rank than men simply because there are fewer women on the mat than men. It's quite an accomplishment! My sensei is a 6th dan as well and has been training in the martial arts for 40 years. Congrats to your sensei :-)
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