By Flynn Bush
On Friday and Saturday, October 25th and 26th, the premier martial arts group on the island held its super seminar and grading. The Grand Cayman Purple Dragon dojo had its students at the Loyola Hall for this exciting, and challenging, event and everything went smoothly. Professor Don Jacob, the Grand Master and founder of the Purple Dragon discipline, was on hand to conduct the entire event. Accompanying him was Shihan Anthony Thompson who is an 8th degree Black Belt and the second highest ranking student in the system.
The Super Seminar on Friday evening was as always an enlightening, empowering and of course sweaty one. Professor Jacob broke down and educated the students ranging from 6 years - 62 years on several different blocks, strikes, takedowns and exciting life defense techniques. These were followed by some team resistance and aggression drills. Finally, the seminar closed with a demonstration of Block Routine; one that was done by 21 of 23 active Purple Dragon Black Belts in the Cayman Islands.
On Saturday, students were tested in all aspects of their training. There was the physical side which included tests of strength, endurance and flexibility, along with Katas, Self Defense and Point Sparring. Also graded, however, was their discipline in how they carried themselves, while seated awaiting their group's turn and their ability to stand in a uniform manner with little to no assistance or instruction from the examiners.
At the end of the rigorous exam, all candidates triumphed and were upgraded to their next rank. There must be special mentions of Ms. Elizabeth Walton and Mr. Neil Lumley who were upgraded a rank past the one they were testing for. This is also known as skipping/jumping a rank. In addition to MS. Walton and Mr. Lumley, Ms. Brenda Lee Scott was rewarded for her excellence as it was announced that she had jumped 2 complete ranks. These three warriors were given this distinction because of their outstanding performances.
From here, Professor Jacob is expected to travel back to the United States with visits to Georgia and New York next before continuing the tour over in Canada. Purple Dragon Cayman Islands' very own Instructor Shihan Floyd Baptiste will be joining the Grand Master on the Canadian leg of the grading tour, to render his assistance and to learn more valuable lessons and techniques. These he will undoubtedly bring back to the Cayman Islands to share with the Purple Dragon students here.
Overall, as has become the norm, the Cayman Islands Purple Dragon dojo went into the grading properly prepared and all of the students performed admirably. Well done to all of the students.
For more information on Purple Dragon Cayman Islands visit them on Instagram and Facebook @purpledragoncayman, Call: 946-1241 or email purple@candw.ky
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