Sempai Gabriel & Sempai Ben's Shodan-Ho Grading

Mark Thomas • 12 November 2025

Shodan Ho Grading 17th May 2025

The long awaited and much anticipated Shodan-Ho grading for Ben and Gabriel.


This grading is not for the feint hearted, starting with a 6 mile run and fitness testing in the park swiftly followed by a hearty breakfast.


Then its off to the dojo for a full day on the mat starting with basic mat fitness and warm up throws, then specialist Shodan-Ho syllabus including group asaults, weapons skills, tactics and retention.

 

This is followed by intensive scrutiny of their knowledge of club syllabus from 8th kyu Red belt to 1st kyu Brown belt testing under duress with non compliant Uke’s.


Now the pressure really starts with an onslaught of attacks followed by relentless grappling and just for good measure of their mettle a couple of rounds of milling.


We finish the day testing their spirit with one last round of fitness.


At the end of all this they are awarded the title of Sempai…they have indeed led by example, well done Ben & Gabriel wear you belts with extreme pride.

Club Tour of Japan 2025

by Mark Thomas • 12 November 2025
Sensei Tony & Sensei Matthew's 2nd Dan Grading

Matsubayashi Ryu Seminar Bristol

by Mark Thomas • 15 September 2023
Matsubayashi Ryu Bristol Hosts James Pankiewicz Seminar 11th Sept 2023.

Three New Shodan, Three more Sensei

by Mark Thomas Sensei • 27 June 2022
A full report with photos about the Shodan grading 26th June 2022

Intermediate Grading May ‘22

by Mark Thomas • 19 May 2022
Teenagers succeed in passing their 6th Kyu Yellow belt grading

6th Annual Weapons Seminar March '20

by Mark Thomas Sensei • 16 March 2020
Photos from our latest 6th Annual Weapons Seminar

End of Year Grading

by Sensei Mark • 9 December 2019
Well done everyone that participated in and successfully graded at the weekend, for the candidates who attempted 7th Kyu Red belt it was, as expected, a massive shock to the system as their fitness and mettle are properly tested for the first time. Emotions always run high as its the first insight into testing their syllabus under duress...congratulations to Tyler, Malika, Shayan, Ishaan and Janno on an outstanding first senior grading.

Autumn term starts with a blast

by Sensei Mark • 5 September 2019
What better way to start the autumn term than with a visit from Sensei Jeff Pelter 6th dan and Sensei Mark Hill 2nd dan from Woodford Ju-Jitsu club. We love a guest instructor at Fudoshin and had a thoroughly great evening "stealing" (to quote Sensei Jeff) techniques to add and improve our syllabus. Lots of hard training and judging by Sensei peter face lots of pain as well but remember what they say..."No Gain - No Gain" :) Looking around the mat and watching everyone working hard I could tell that everyone was enjoying the experience and for some this was the first time they had encountered an instructor other than myself, Sensei Peter or Sensei Mikey. I'm truly privileged that Sensei Jeff had taken time to visit us and see what we are about and its such an honour to host such an established instructor. We are all looking forward to next seminar around March / April

Summer Madness

by Sensei Mark • 23 July 2019
Bushey Grove Refurbishment

Simran & Jason's 1st Kyu Brown Belt Grading

by Mark Thomas Sensei • 5 May 2019
Congratulations to Simran and Jason who both successfully graded to 1st Kyu Brown Belt tonight. They both gave an excellent account of themselves throughout the grading demonstrating excellent techniques under duress with plenty of aggression and spirit. We are all so proud of you both, whilst there are thousands of kids sat at home in front of TV’s and their X-boxes you both take the hard option every week in training, you are both great role models for those that dare to follow. Wear those rightly deserved belts with pride.

Sensei Peter hits the Big 50

by Sensei Mark • 14 March 2019
Sensei Peter turned 50 this year and to help him celebrate his birthday Sensei Mikey had organised a birthday treat for him, a rather special limited edition bottle of Japanese Whiskey...I'm sure you will join me in wishing Sensei Peter a very Happy Birthday and I'm sure he won't mind us joining him to help celebrate, now crack that bottle open old chap :)
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