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The Final ProKick Kickboxing Grading for 2023
December 23, 2023
On a busy Saturday at ProKick Gym in Belfast, the day was filled with the end-of-year grading. The Kids-in-combat set the bar high for the adults who later turned up the heat to Belt-up. On the 23rd of December 2023, the 'Le Grande Grading’ marked the final kickboxing exam of the year. The event kicked off at 10am with the ProKick Kids grading, which was successfully completed just before midday. The adults then took their turn starting at 12pm and continued until 4 pm.
On Saturday, December 23, 2023, the 'Le Grande Grading' marked the final kickboxing exam of the year. The event started at 10am with the ProKick Kids grading, which was completed before midday. The adults then had their turn from 12pm to 4pm.
Students ranging from 6 to 65 years old gathered at the East Belfast HQ, all eager to challenge themselves and progress to the next level of their syllabus. It was a remarkable display of dedication and perseverance, as participants of various skill levels, from raw novices to final brown belts, embarked on their journey to achieve greatness on the Kickboxing ladder of excellence.
Regrettably, the grading wasn't concluded for three senior Purple to Brown and four senior level Brown's were unable to complete the grading. Their work will resume on Thursday, 28th Dec, at 5pm.
Today's grading was overseen by Head ProKick coach Billy Murray, who was assisted by coaches and senior Black belts Kathryn Warren and Ruth Anderson. As if that wasn't impressive enough, we were honoured to have Sensei Gary McAllister, one of the founders of the N,Ireland Tai-Jutsu Assoc, as our special guest instructor, with his remarkable 7th Dan expertise.
Today's grading was conducted by Head ProKick coach Billy Murray which was helped today by, coaches and senior Black belts, Kathryn Warren and Ruth Anderson, if that wasn't enough, special guest instructor was one of the founders of the N,Ireland Tai-Jutsu Assoc - Sensei Gary McAllister 7the Dan.
In Kickboxing a Grading, students, both non-contact and contact, undergo a grading system to assess their progress. This system consists of multiple levels, starting from White Belt and culminating at Black Belt with the prestigious Dan grade. One can think of the Dan grade as a Kickboxing equivalent to a degree level. Achieving such a milestone typically requires an average of six to eight years with at least 3-4 sessions a week of dedicated training and commitment.
