How many dream of it, to become a black belt in a martial art and so little gain it. Laurence Norman (25) from Axminster in Devon is on his way to make that dream come real. Yesterday he did a huge step towards this goal and successfully completed his next Jiu-Jitsu grading.
Laurence is a member of the Bridport martial art school Ichinen Bridport and takes extra lessons with Grandmaster Horst Lindenau (63) 6th Dan. He was tested for nearly an hour and finally certified with the 3rd Kyu Jiu-Jitsu (IMASA).
The 3rd Kyu is the green belt in traditional Jiu-Jitsu and can be called “half the Master”. It requires a fierce training regime and for the grading one has to proof self defence skills against one and two attackers, a randori fight against a higher grade, a theory test and the demonstration of 15 falls and rolls + show of following techniques:
2 Feet throws + follow up technique
Hip throw + follow up technique
Shoulder throw + follow up technique
1 self falling technique
4 defenses against strangle hold
4 strangling holds
3 hold down + 2 liberations
3 transport grips
3 wrist locks
Throat nerve press, control attacker
3 arm locks
3 defense against bear hugs
3 Kicks
5 defenses against various weapons/objects
3 show use of unnatural weapons
Jiu-Jitsu trained in this traditional way is not a sport or competition martial art sport. It includes the whole range of skills a martial artist can get. Including punching + kicking, ground work and rolls and falls, a wide range of weapon skills and last but not least a training for mind, body and soul.
If you like what Laurence Norman is doing come and join us at Ichinen Bridport martial arts school. For 2018 you can join as well for private lessons. Places are limited; you can choose time and place and which style suits you.
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| Laurence Norman in a randori fight at Ichinen Bridport. Doing a self falling technique. |
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| Ground work during the graduation for 3rd Kyu Jiu-Jitsu |
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| Laurence Norman in doing randori fight at Ichinen Bridport |
