Dan grading

Great pic Mike!

That looks like John Bestwick if I'm not mistaken?

That brings back memories! I remember being on a Dan grading with my good mate Ken Witham and it was a cold and grim December Sunday afternoon and the Kyu grades were taken downstairs (we were in a community centre in Nottingham). The lad in question - and sadly I cannot remember who exactly - was told to present his 2 inch piece of wood to break. Yours truly was doing the holding. He then presented the smallest piece of wood you have ever seen.

When I held it there was about a three inch space in the middle, the rest was covered with my fingertips. The wood wouldn't break, the only thing that nearly did were my fingers. He walked away with his pride dented, me with my finger ends red and sore and I could've sworn I heard the wood laugh...

The things we do eh to wear the ultimate prize, the black obi!!

Best wishes

Dave