karate kid

He has done it again!  Russell was put through his paces on Saturday for his karate yellow belt.  The gradings are really getting quite tough now.  There is the physical challenge of crunches, push ups and repeated kicking and punching.  They are also required to hold a 4kg weight in front of their bodies while in the squat position for a very long time.  At one point he had to lie on his back with his feet slightly off the ground without dropping down while the other boys were tested on their routines.  Then there is the mental test of remembering the "kata" as well as a random unknown routine that the Sempai rattles off for you to demonstrate. The pressure is huge for these young boys but they seem to handle so well.  Karate has turned out to be great mental training and the physical benefits are starting to show in Russell's lean strong little body.  It was a proud moment when he graded up to yellow and performed to such a high standard.

 

On Friday Russell competed in the inter house gala at school.  He swam beautifully, placing in all four of his events and winning his backstroke by 20 metres!  He was awarded the silver medal for runner up in the Year 4's.  So he is really on a high.