27/05/2026
What a weekend!
Following a fantastic self defence seminar hosted by Grandmaster Freddy Kleinschwaerzer on Saturday, SMAGB held its annual Black Belt grading at Sprowston Manor on Sunday.
The weather was hot outside, but the intensity in the grading room was boiling!
The candidates have been working towards their respective gradings for years, and over the last year have benefitted from special training sessions, mock exams and numerous seminars. They were prepared.
Of those who participated on the Sunday, all were succesful :-
1st Dan
Monica Becker
Rachel Hunter
Riley Nichols
Rory Bolton
Millie Hunter
Amelia Charlton
Lilly Rogers
4th Dan
Mia Wood
5th Dan Master Grade
Brian Hunter
A first for SMAGB, with 3 generations of the Hunter family attempting their respective Dan grades!
Following the Grading, the club held its famous (infamous?) Gala meal, with the occasion being shared with family and friends. Entertainment was provided by Connor with his unique quiz, followed by very special presentations and initiations for Brian Hunter as he joins the Master grades present.
All in all a wonderful weekend, made even more special by the fantastic volunteers - whether that be self defence partners ( Thank you Dina, Bella and Samuel), Flagbearers (Thank you Jodie and Bella) and Brian's applied pattern attackers ( thank you ' the a-team' - Sarah, Howie, Pedro and Connor). As always this could not have happened without the awesome support of family and friends during the lead-in to the grading, where the Black Belt grading becomes all encompassing.
Alongside GM Freddy, Masters Dave, Lynne and Chris were in attendance whilst GM Ian marked the performances. The masters were very pleased with the results, with even higher marks being scored than the succesful mock grading a few weeks ago ! - which goes to show the occasion uplifted everyone ! - a huge well done!
A few photographs of the day
