At HAITO, we often say that Kyokushin is forged, not handed out. This past weekend, we didn’t just talk about that philosophy—we lived it. Across two massive grading sessions, our students proved that while others might look for the easy path, the “True Kyokushin Way” is paved with sweat, endurance, and an unbreakable spirit.
From our newest white belts to our most senior practitioners, the energy on the tatami was electric. Here is a look at the milestones we just cleared.
The Marathon: A Historic 6-Hour Grading
We pushed the limits further than ever before. This wasn’t just a technical test; it was a six-hour ordeal designed to see who would stand firm when exhaustion set in. We finished with 12 full sparring rounds, the ultimate test of the Kyokushin heart.
For the first time in HAITO history, we promoted students to 5th Kyu, making them the highest homegrown belts in our Dojo.
The Results of the 6-Hour Grading:
- 5th Kyu (Yellow Belt / Green Stripe) — OUR FIRST EVER!
- Darius, Rebeka, David, Calvin, Ilze (a proud HAITO mum!), and Bartosz.
- 6th Kyu (Yellow Belt)
- Jacob, William, Milana, and Kotryna.
- 7th Kyu (Blue Belt / Yellow Stripe)
- Leonor, Robert, Mithran, Lola, Adam, Simas, and Ayorinde.
- 8th Kyu (Blue Belt)
- Tauras, Jasmine, Timi, Martynas, and Sreya.
- 9th Kyu (Orange Belt / Blue Stripe)
- Summer, Dominic, Keri (another amazing HAITO mum!), and Sanjay.
The Foundation: Earning the First Orange Belt
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step—or in our case, a “tough, honest, and old-fashioned” one-hour grading. Seven of our dedicated students earned their 10th Kyu (Orange Belt), proving that they have the foundation required for the long road ahead.
Welcome to the journey:
- Monika (Mum of HAITO students)
- Ethan
- Tuaha
- Nelson (Dad of a HAITO student)
- Ayaan
- Mursel
- Olusaboni
A Family Affair
One of the most inspiring aspects of these recent gradings is seeing the “HAITO Family” in action. We aren’t just teaching kids; we have mums and dads like Keri, Ilze, Monika, and Nelson getting on the mats and leading by example.
Kyokushin doesn’t care about your age; it only cares about your refusal to quit when things get difficult.
The Road Ahead
To every student who stepped onto the mat: be proud. You didn’t just “get” a belt; you earned it through grit and character. This is only the beginning of what we can achieve together.
OSU!