Brett Keith

Karate first started for me 38 years ago, then ended 36 years ago! As a child, I wanted to

be with my friends, learn a martial art, and gain a skill. Years later, I tried Aikido, kung fu,

Tae Kwon Do, and Jujitsu. Each brief and each not fulfilling at the time. I was fresh out of

Uni and still not ready to commit to a martial art at the time. (Much) Later as an adult,

and father, I wanted to find an activity I could do with my daughter Inara - then aged 6.

On speaking with Renshi Kidby in 2019 when I found the CFTS website it became apparent

that I could restart my karate journey in a new chapter where I could finally focus and

learn without the trials of adolescence! I never thought beyond the lesson or belt ahead in

the early days as it was all about the experience, though I found it a little tricky being the

only adult in the first class, I was enjoying doing something with Inara while staying active

and having a new interest.

Covid times were interesting. I took my Orange belt grading on my own, outside in the

light rain, assessed by Sensei Viv Wilson on the 8th March 2020. After the Shodan grading,

this one was by far the most memorable! Zoom sessions were not quite the same of

course, though It did give me the opportunity to meet other club senseis.

As I progressed, I found it a little overwhelming as the amount of things to remember and

master became larger. My Shodan grading preparation was quite intense, and was quite an

experience that began when I was honoured to be invited to grade... The books, the

videos, the notes, the practice, the 4 lessons a week...the aches... In actuality the real

preparation began after grading for 1st Kyu, though I didn't recognise it then. What I have

found though is that it culminated in the consolidation of my knowledge of 9 sets, 15 kata,

and countless terminology. This prep, and the grading itself, were another level, and have

put me on the path to the next chapter as karateka.

I had set myself the goal of achieving Shodan before I reached 50. This I managed with 4

months to spare!

Now, I am enjoying attending the first lessons again, this time assisting Senseis McMahon in

preparing the kyu grades for their gradings when required, and helping them follow their

own karate-do, including my son Seth who now also trains - yellow tags at the time of

writing this. Achieving Shodan has also given me the confidence to help my children

succeed and maybe, hopefully, become dan grades themselves!

Shodan represents to me, the end - of the beginning...