Earlier this month at the training course in Reading on 3rd February 2024 in addition to a fabulous day's training there were three awards for senior grades!
Congratulations to Naomi Wyatt (centre) who was promoted to 5th Dan and to Bill Clewlow (left) and Colin Bell (right) who were both promoted to 6th Dan.
Here is what each of them had to say about their promotions.
Naomi Wyatt (5th Dan)
“I am truly humbled to have received my 5th Dan from my fellow karatekas, all of whom I respect immensely. It was very unexpected but I feel proud to represent Higashi at this level and I hope to inspire and be a role model to others. I miss Sensei Spanton every day and will be forever grateful to him for inspiring my love of karate and in particular kata. I have always believed karate is good for the body and the brain, but especially the soul. So keep on training everyone and enjoy it!”
Bill Clewlow (6th Dan)
“After what seemed like years of struggling I was finally graded to shodan by Sensei Peter Spanton in February 1990, followed by Nidan in August 1992, Sandan in April 1998, Yondan at Ogwen Bank in May 2005, promoted to Godan in December 2014 and Rokudan in February 2024. It’s been a hard but enjoyable struggle for all those years but I can’t imagine life without karate and especially Higashi. It was an honour and surprise to be awarded my 6th dan and I shall continue to train and try to live up to my promotion.”
Colin Bell (6th Dan)
“I am extremely honoured and proud and I’d like to thank everyone involved in my promotion and I will endeavour to do everything I can to do the grade justice. I would particularly like to thank Steve and Brad for all their encouragement along the way! I would also like to congratulate Naomi and Bill on their promotions!”