Wangaratta martial artists Dane Reid and Ryan Mansfield have graded to Nidan and Shodan levels, respectively, under Loong Fu Pai Martial Arts (LFP) on Sunday.
For Reid's grading to 2nd dan black belt he was required to perform 12 unarmed katas (one self-created) and one armed kata, while Mansfield displayed his technique in 10 katas across the grading syllabus and also performed 20 armed and unarmed yakusukos kumite (pre-arranged karate sparring forms).
As part of Reid's grading, he was required to perform a self-created kata and he drew on his experience of Zen Do Kai (ZDK) and LFP disciplines which influenced his demonstrated form.
He also learnt and displayed a katana (sword) kata which he carried out to a high standard.
Both martial artists then had 12 kumite (sparring) bouts against opponents holding ranks up to Yondan (4th dan black belt), including LFP members from dojos in metropolitan Melbourne who travelled especially for the occasion.
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Dai Sensei Andrew Worland said Reid was very strong in his kata, which he created from his ZDK and LFP influences, as he was with his weapons kata.
"Dane perfected his moves himself with the katana kata, and he did very well," Worland said.
"Both Ryan and Dane did exceptionally well and they put in extra training prior to a Melbourne tournament about six weeks ago, which they also performed well at."
The pair navigated 12 individual bouts and a quad spar where they encountered four highly ranked opponents at the same time to cap off their gradings.
Mansfield capped off his grading with a show of strength, a requirement to break concrete tiles - two sets, each with hand and foot.
"Overall they were both very strong in their technique and fitness," he said.
"Good luck to their martial arts future and I hope to be a part of it."
Dai Sensei Des Mansfield, a Loong Fu Pai martial artist of 30 years, and also the father of Ryan, expressed his pride while presenting his son with his black belt on the day.
