Shodan exam video

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[Sasha Mrkailo]

Part of shodan exam in our Aikido Dojo. Video made with my cellphone so the quality is low, but would like to hear comments.
The guy on the video is Tibor Siladji, I practice with him often.

http://www.archive.org/download/AikidoSomborExaminations/VIDEO0016_512kb.mp4
All videos can bee seen here:
http://www.archive.org/details/AikidoSomborExaminations

Greetings and happy New Year!

[Sasha Mrkailo]

Umm, no comments yet, is the quality of the video so bad or perhaps you can't see it at all?

[SmilingNage]

The test had a real nice flow and connectivity to it. He displayed some nice ukemi skills and looked very good through the connective drills. Stylistically I didnt care for the Irimi nage nor the kokyu nage throws. I prefer a stronger and more solid finish. But his throws did fit in with what he was demonstrating.

For what it is worth, if he was aiming for a flowing, connective test he did a very amicable job. But hey what do I know I am just the 500 lb gorilla in the room.

[Sasha Mrkailo]

Thank you for the comment. Although I am not sure I understood you completely. Anyway he did it like that for 30 minutes. And actually he is very tough and finishes his techniques in a serious manner. But that is something you can't really see in a such video.

[piyush.kumar]

Excellent benchmark for a shodan test, Nice flow and rhythm. Cannot find constructive criticism for a shodan level :). Perhaps though, varying the rhythm and pace might help pose more of a challenge.

[Sasha Mrkailo]

Thanks Piyush, that is an interesting point. Never thought about it from that angle.

[dalen7]

The movements appear to be rather fluid. [nice]. :)

Peace

dAlen

[Zach Trent]

Sasha- Wow man. Just wow.

I like your test a ton- your dojo seems to emphasize movement and avoiding over physical dominance. Looks so cool.

Just two questions though:

1. What kind of physical conditioning did you do for this test?

2. Can you keep yourself centerend/balanced while turning so much? You must have turned 300 times or so during this test!

Zach

[Boris Spassky]

Very impressive!

Techniques seem to vary from dojo to dojo but what I really enjoyed and appreciate is the flow you have! I have a lot of work cut out for me in order to move anything like you did there-

Thanks for posting!
Jamey

[Aran Bright]

Great fitness!:hypno:

Must have gotten dizzy though?

Personally I would like to see more finishing to your techniques but I'm guessing your told not to force things?

Got to be pretty happy with that though.;)

[dapidmini]

wow.. was that really a shodan exam? why is he already wearing a hakama? I thought we start wearing a hakama after passing the exam, not when we're taking it?

I don't get to see a lot of yudansha but I think that his standard is above shodan.. or is it just me?

[hughrbeyer]

I'd appreciate knowing which style of Aikido this is. Since different styles value different things, I'm going to evaluate it differently based on what that style emphasizes.

[sorokod]

I'd appreciate knowing which style of Aikido this is. Since different styles value different things, I'm going to evaluate it differently based on what that style emphasizes.

Fair enough. I'd appreciate knowing which style of Aikido you practice Hugh, and for how long. This way I will be able to properly evaluate your evaluation.

[Mark Freeman]

I'd appreciate knowing which style of Aikido this is. Since different styles value different things, I'm going to evaluate it differently based on what that style emphasizes.

Hi Hugh,

I'd be curious to know the lineage of the aikidoka too, but I'm not sure you can evaluate things differently based on 'style'. You are right there are many points of emphasis given by different teachers (even within the same style). Why not evaluate it just for the aikido it is?

Personally I liked what I saw, I think there is much to be commended going on in the grading shown, good timing, circular movement, blending and flow, the attacks are positive and the ukemi looks good. I'd say that it is probably a good indication of the things that this style emphasizes.

I didn't check out all of the vids provided in the second link, but there are some interesting techniques being done with a cord/string as defence (I think it is the last vid in the list) worth checking out if you haven't already.

regards

Mark

[Janet Rosen]

You all know this is a year old thread by someone not actively participating in aikiweb?

[hughrbeyer]

You all know this is a year old thread by someone not actively participating in aikiweb?

Heh. Damn that reality check. :freaky:

@Mark, we could go around on that one all day. Certainly it's easy to evaluate based on what I think is effective, or what I think is good aikido, but at some level that's an opinion that's only of interest to me. If I were going to comment, I'd like to know what's unique to this individual and what's a reflection of his style.

[mickeygelum]

That was a shodan grading? Honest opinion, sorry, but that was a a poor example. Yonkyu at best, within our standards.

Mickey

[SteliosPapadakis]

That was a shodan grading? Honest opinion, sorry, but that was a a poor example. Yonkyu at best, within our standards.

Mickey

What exactly did you not like, Michael?

[dusterio]

That was a shodan grading? Honest opinion, sorry, but that was a a poor example. Yonkyu at best, within our standards.

Mickey

Yonkyu??? :)))

I visited 10+ dojos in 4+ countries, and it does look like a good shodan level to me ;)))

And certainly not a yonkyu ;-))))

[Sasha Mrkailo]

Sasha- Wow man. Just wow.

I like your test a ton- your dojo seems to emphasize movement and avoiding over physical dominance. Looks so cool.

Just two questions though:

1. What kind of physical conditioning did you do for this test?

2. Can you keep yourself centerend/balanced while turning so much? You must have turned 300 times or so during this test!

Zach

Its not me, it was my friend who was tested. He is very fit as he is a trainer in his own fitness gym. he is very fit and very capable.

[Sasha Mrkailo]

wow.. was that really a shodan exam? why is he already wearing a hakama? I thought we start wearing a hakama after passing the exam, not when we're taking it?

I don't get to see a lot of yudansha but I think that his standard is above shodan.. or is it just me?

In our (independent) club we start wearing hakama's at 1 Kyu level.

[Sasha Mrkailo]

I'd appreciate knowing which style of Aikido this is. Since different styles value different things, I'm going to evaluate it differently based on what that style emphasizes.

Just Aikido, no style. Or at least what we (as a group and as individuals) perceive as Aikido.

[sakumeikan]

Just Aikido, no style. Or at least what we (as a group and as individuals) perceive as Aikido.

Dear Sasha,
From my observayion the student testing has fluid movement .He appears to be fit . His varied ukemis is good-quite athletic.His Aikido unfortunately leaves a bit to be desired. I for on do not think he is too proficient at basics.He lacks precision and his waza lacks good form. Could do with tightening up and going back to study the kihon waza in greater depth. Sorry to be critical but I hope my comments are seen as being constructively critical.Tell him to keep on and polish his art. Cheers, Joe.

[JJF]

In our (independent) club we start wearing hakama's at 1 Kyu level.

Just to chime in: In Danishi aikikai dojo's we start wearing hakama at 3. kyu. It varies from style to style, from country to country and even from dojo to dojo.