We had our Karate banquet and award dinner today. It used to be an annual event but we didn’t have one in 2007 so it was nice to get together with everyone.
They always have some really nice video presentations and this year, being it was our clubs 30th anniversary, the videos were really good. The first video was really neat because it was a bunch of pictures from 1980’s. They started out with pictures of our senior Sensei, Sensei DiPasquale doing kata poses to the song Bad from Michael Jackson. There were really good pictures of many of our instructors when they were very young, including Sensei Cieplik.
We also had four excellent demonstrations. I did video tape them and will try to put them up on here when I have the time. The demo started with three young black belts who are the Synchronized Kata Team National Champions. Their kata was excellent and their timing was great.
After that came and excellent self defense demo. It was really we done and Dale Weber ended up doing a back flip was just unreal.
One of our younger students and a cancer survivor did an excellent demo of Heian Nidan and Heian Sandan. She is an inspiration to all Karate athletes both young and old.
The last demo was performed by William Gatch. He is the top kata competitor in our club and will one day be the world champion. He did an awesome Unsu that brought the house down. There is no doubt in my mind that he will do all the way on day soon.
They also handed out the awards such as scholorships award and others. My wife, son and I recieved leadership plaques since we assist with classes and the suprise of the night for me was the “Most Improved Senior Male” award. I had no idea that I was getting the award and was honored to recieve it.
It was good time for all and a night that I won’t forget anytime soon.