To: All Empty Hand, Huaxia and Martial Arts Academy Students and
Parents
From: Sensei Todd Elliott
Date: April 1, 2015
Subject: Kyu Exam – 4/29/2015 – 7:00 PM at The Empty Hand
Our next Karate Rank Examination (Kyu Exam) will be held at The Empty Hand on Wednesday, April 29,
2015 at 7 PM. All Karate students, whether testing or not, are welcome to participate in the class and should
be at the dojo dressed and ready for the class and exam no later than 6:45 PM on the 29th. The examination
will follow a few minutes after the class.
Mr. Judson Sumbler, the chief instructor at both Greater St. Matthew’s and the Yeadon Shotokan Karate
Clubs, is the scheduled examiner for the 29th. He is a 6th degree black belt with over thirty years Karate
experience. Mr. Sumbler has visited our club, and invited us to his own, on many occasions throughout the
years. He is an excellent examiner and always teaches fun, informative and entertaining classes. Please give
your best effort and pay close attention to his instructions.
Administrative Details
In order to be eligible to test a student must have trained a minimum of 3 months and have at least 30
attendances. Junior students are only allowed to take two tests in succession before being required to skip a
test. Junior students are also limited to testing a maximum of 3 times per year (if you are 14 years or older, or
a brown belt, you are allowed to take up to 4 tests per year as long as you meet attendance requirements and
have your instructor’s permission).
The fee for the examination for a color belt with a current ISKF membership card is $30.00. Students
testing for the very first time must complete the green ISKF (International Shotokan Karate Federation)
membership application, have the application signed by your parents and also get it notarized (Yes, they
really have to be notarized!!), and pay both the $35.00 annual ISKF/Empty Hand membership fee and the
$30.00 examination fee ($65.00 total). All payments, membership cards, and completed ISKF applications
must be presented to Sensei, Joe, Dan, Kenya, Gaby or Shani Elliott no later than the end of the last class
on Saturday, April 25, 2015. Please make checks payable to The Empty Hand. If you have any questions
about the test, you can ask any instructor before or after your normal class times.
And once again, just a reminder... When you take any rank examination please remember to do all of
your techniques with speed, power, and focus. Also remember that you should make loud strong KIAIs
throughout your basics and twice during your kata. Also, DON’T BE LATE!! Finally, Sensei Elliott WILL NOT
LET ANYONE TEST IN A DIRTY UNIFORM. All gis must be clean and neat!! Keep up the good work.
Thank you in advance for making us proud at the class and for an outstanding performance at the test.
Sensei Todd Elliott
