Chadderton junior Ju-Jitsu trio secure first Black Belt Gold Tabs

The Samurai Ju-Jitsu Academy in Chadderton staged a hugely successful World Ju-Jitsu Federation (WJJF) annual Black Belt Grading Day at the weekend.

Around 40 students were graded during the course of the day.

These included juniors going from brown to black, Junior black belts doing an upgrade to full senior black belt (Shodan status), and a whole range of new Dan grades, right up to 5th Dan master’s degree level.

Three students, all junior black belts, completed their first Gold Tab grades.

These are designed to keep young students interested until they can take their full Shodan grade at 16 years of age.

The students who graded for Samurai were:

Zara Jamal, 12 years of age

Ishmaeel Abdur-Rahmen, 13 years of age

Zainab Abdur-Rahmen, 12 years of age

The day started at about 9am when the grading officers from the WJJF started arriving.

To be able to grade students at Black Belt level you must be at least 3rd Dan level, and a duly appointed Grading Officer.

In total there were about 40 students who graded - these were supported and assessed by around 20 grading officers, along with support staff.

Including parents and friends of the students there were around 120 people hosted on the day.

These were well catered for with refreshments throughout the day.

The WJJF teaches traditional Japanese Ju-Jitsu, with a modern twist.

Being affiliated to the WJJF, Samurai is well supported by a bigger organisation.

Although Samurai are based in Chadderton, they have a “footprint” that spans the globe, with any student being able to train at any WJJF affiliated club.

The WJJF take care of all our legal requirements which include student insurance, child protection and safeguarding.

They also provide a tried and tested syllabus designed to take students from zero to hero (red to black belt) in around four years.

Samurai is a very progressive but friendly club.

Instructors teach tolerance and understanding and breaking down barriers between communities.

Everyone is welcome no matter what age, gender, or religious beliefs they may have.

Their Dojo (training centre) is a neutral zone where people can work and train together in safety and understanding.

Samurai help build confidence and improve people’s self-esteem, as well as teaching them to respect each other.

Meanwhile, the Grading Day also saw the promotion of John Greenhalgh, 10th Dan to Technical Director, also three people - Kancho Robert Hart, Shihan Russ Walsh and Shihan Nick Horton - being promoted to 8th Dan.

Samurai Ju-Jitsu Academy is based at the Stockfield Mill, Stockfield Road in Chadderton (OL9 9EW).

As a club it has been going around nine years.

There are currently approximately 25 students on the books, and training takes place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.

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