Inspired by Buffy the Vampire Slayer
By Amanda Collins
My name is Amanda and I'm a student and part-time assistant of TASKS (Traditional And Sport Karate Schools, a family run karate club that was set up by a good friend of mine and based in Upminster, Essex.
That friend had first introduced me to karate back in September 2006 when I was 19 years old.
I've always wanted to learn martial arts ever since I first watched the tv show called 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer', and his where I get my inspiration from. So, in 2006 I had the opportunity to attend my first ever Karate lesson with my sister.
The style taught was Wado Ryu Karate. We progressed quickly to Red belt, and I way already entering the Kata competitions, where I had to perform Pinan Nidan and Pinan Shodan.
From January 2007 I received my orange, and attended a Yoshi Shinohara course. March 2007 I received my green belt. June 2007 I was happy to be awarded my blue belt and it was an honour to attend a course with Tatsuo Suzuki along with other students. September 2007 I won my first ever Kumite competition held in Shrewsbury.
During 2007, I had to stop training due to an injury to my knee. I remember during an assisted stretching session that suddenly my leg just 'popped', and the pain was incredible. I wasn't really sure what had happened, and tried to carry on with the lesson, but I ended up in too much pain.
I ended up leaving that club and followed my friend to her new club, where, in January 2008, after getting over the injury, I received my Purple belt. I also achieved Brown belt that same year, and started to help my good friend at her small club which she set up at a local school.
In 2010 my lovely friend of mine was going to be grading me. I knew she would make it hard for me, or at least I felt it would be hard because I felt I had to do more for her. I haven't been comfortable in front of others ever since school, so it was a nerve racking experience for me. But I got through it.
In 2010/11 my friend had her club well established and by then I had risen to 1st Kyu. I really do have to thank my friend for giving me the kick I needed and made me keep going. She knew how hard I had worked and wanted me to get my 1st Dan.
That year, my friend arranged a Christmas party for her students along with a fancy dress for the kids. I received an award for most improved student of the year 2011...I was speechless but wanted to cry as my friend and her family have done so much for me when it comes to Karate, and I'm thankful.
In October 2012 I was scheduled to do my Black Belt grading. My friend had been putting me through my paces, working me hard on Kata and Weapons drills, but I was a nervous wreck come grading day! On the 13th October 2012 I had my grading, arriving at the grading with my knee and wrist in supports due to more injuries. But, as they say 'no pain, no gain'.
During my grading I was taken aside to do Kata, Weapons (Tanto Kata), Basics and Combinations. I also had to help teach the class that day, so it was a real test for me
After the class according to my friend I got the highest results in a black belt grading (from brown belt you get graded based on points). My friend said that I had done so well that I didn't have to do her class afterwards so I spent the lesson asleep with exhaustion. But it was worth it, if you don't put the effort and spirit into things you won't get far.
