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Martial arts in the park

Deane's Black Belt Academy met for one last lesson in LeBourdais park.


Last Wedensday, a field of students dressed in bright, primary coloured uniforms ran through a variety of martial arts forms, from the easiest with all the students participating through to the hardest with just a few flexible, athletic souls jumping and whirring, until they too finally stopped.

The spectacle was Deane’s Black Belt Academy wrapping up their season with an outdoor show at LeBourdais park.

A tradition of the school for 28 years, the weather threatened to cancel the fun for the first time this year.

Despite the looming clouds, the class went off without any rain, though it didn’t have much sun either.

With the younger students getting out of school, the students’ minds are prone to wandering to thoughts of freedom and summer, which the outdoor lesson is meant to stop.

“It’s a fun way to wrap. The last few weeks are challenging, which is why we have the club champ and the outdoor lesson,”  Bob Deane, the school’s sensei, said.

After the whirling settled down, a few students demonstrated their breaking abilities and new belts were awarded.

Leading up to the lesson, the students compete in six categories at the school: sparring; weapons sparring; high kick; throwing stars; wrestling and traditional patterns. The outdoor lesson serves as a final wrap up to these events with an awards  ceremony to go along with the lesson.

The students then awarded their sensei with a trophy for his work.

The club is taking a break for the summer but will be back in September. For more info on joining next years lesson go to quesenlkarate.com.