NCKC students test for advancement

 On January 21, students from the North Carolina Karate Club had the opportunity to train and test under 8th degree black belt Shigeru Takashina. Master Takashina is the chief instructor for the South Atlantic Karate Association, a graduate of the Japan Karate Association Instructor School and from Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan.

After warming up with kihon (basics), Master Takashina led students in practical application of self-defense techniques. Students learned how to use the basic techniques they had learned and apply them to real life situations.

Donnie Abel, a 4th degree black belt and chief instructor for the North Carolina Karate Club (NCKC) said that more than 50 students from the NCKC and dojos from Cashiers and Waynesville attended the karate clinic. “Our dojo had 17 students test for advancement,” Abel said. “They all trained hard to get ready and every one of them passed.”

Students from the NCKC who tested and passed include:

— Kyu Yellow Belt – Chandler Redoutey, Rachel Stewart, Eli Moffitt
— Kyu High Yellow Belt – Karena Mason, Kamryn Mason, India Elliott, Jacob Elliott, Jane Elliott
— Kyu Orange Belt – Emma McSween
— Kyu High Orange Belt – Jared McSween
— Kyu Green Belt – Tim McSween
— Kyu High Green Belt – Jesse Wilson
— Kyu Brown Belt – River Byrd, Sky Byrd
— Kyu Brown Belt – Meadow Byrd, Matt Hornsby
— Kyu High Brown Belt – Forest Byrd

The NCKC trains at Abel Fitness (http://www.abelfit.com) throughout the week. Abel Fitness is a family owned, fully equipped Pilates, martial arts and fitness studio located at 110 Macon Center Drive in Franklin below the Macon Bank corporate offices.

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