Photo 1: Newly Awarded Black Sashes Les Hayes, Thomas Ohara, Chief Instructor Ron Goninan, Maurice Cenzato, Joshua Lowe and Ian Cochrane.
In all, five senior students of the school were graded for their knowledge and expertise in various aspects of White Crane Gongfu including techniques, forms, applications and life protection methods.
Les Hayes was awarded a Black sash for his knowledge and application of Chinese Grappling and Throwing Arts and will now head up the schools studies in this area.
Thomas Ohara was graded to his first Black Sash in White Crane Gongfu.
Joshua Lowe and Ian Cochrane were equally successful in grading to the 2nd Black Sash Level in White Crane taking their learning and applications to new levels of understanding.
Assistant Instructor Maurice Cenzato had made impressive strides forward to be awarded the highest level in White Crane Gongfu studies, the Gold Sash.
From the schools perspective a good Black Sash or Black Belt should be a mark of not only their physical attributes but also good character and standing within the local community. “A Black Sash or Black Belt is not the be all and end all. It is the beginning. The person makes the rank. I have known many Black Belts who are obnoxious, rude and ego driven who don’t deserve the belt or the respect they think they deserve. Many instructors don’t embody the true heart of the martial arts and personal development. These people usually lead broken and shallow lives and tend to attract those who lack values. A true Black Sash or Belt should be someone who contributes to the community and themselves in a positive way” said Chief Instructor Ron Goninan.
Traditional Chinese Martial Arts are based on a Family Hierarchal system and it is on this level that ranks or “positions” are awarded. Students of White Crane are graded throughout their training and not on a special day. “I prefer to watch, to ‘feel’ my student’s progression during the course of their training rather then run a Grading Day in which they turn up, give a ‘performance’ to pass their grading and then possibly slacken off afterwards. In awarding my students a grade as part of their normal training and class attendance I find that they give me their best efforts and a constant level rather than on any one given day” said Goninan. “The diplomas are cool and all that but I feel the real achievements are the nights in training where the students have dug deep and gone further. It’s the moments when no one is watching and the only person that knows what you have accomplished is you ... the pride that comes from that is inspiring. We can fool others but not ourselves” Ron went on to say.
