What had already been a memorable year for Rose Dermer became an unforgettable one when she was honoured with the Instructor of the Year award by the Kiaido Ryu Martial Arts Club in Thames last month.
As the head instructor of the Kaitaia dojo of the national organisation, Dermer successfully upgraded from 1st to 2nd degree black belt - thus earning the new title of Dai Sempai - at the grading camp in Thames on July 5 and 6. But there was an even greater surprise in store when she was named as a recipient of a prestigious Budo Award at the organisation's annual prizegiving dinner for her work in promoting the martial art in the Far North community.
"I was so surprised and shocked to be awarded instructor of the year for all the effort and hard work I've put in," she said, noting she was among illustrious company (with the 30th anniversary of the organisation attended by some very highly qualified martial artists, some of whom had come as far away as Australia) for the two-day event.
"What an awesome year. I never give up, I always like to aim to the top which does inspire me. Good spirit, good attitude always lead us to a better life and what we achieve by ourselves," said Dermer. She added she was particularly grateful for, and humbled by, the support from her students who had been the chief inspiration behind her achieving the rank of Dai Sempai.
"I was overwhelmed in Thames at how many students came down as well as parents to see and support their child. I am absolutely proud of you guys. You are so amazing for all the support we give to each other. We have shown how close we all are and how amazing it is to become to be a warrior. We carried each other and never gave up on any hardship. The sweat we put in our training helped us become one family."
Already aiming towards gaining a 3rd degree black belt, Dermer said the grading regime was anything but easy.
"I prepared myself for the last 12 months as I knew I was grading for my nidan [2nd degree black belt]. There is a lot of hard physical work and fitness which went into it."
The grading for the six martial artists seeking to acquire themselves a new black belt began with a warm-up featuring kata with nunchuk, kali stick, tonfa then bassai and sanseru. Each then underwent 30 rounds of sparring every two minutes against a 'fresh' crop of brown and black belts.
"It was hard, with sweat pouring off each and every one of us. After 25 rounds of sparring we had two minutes' break that was the only time we managed to have a drink of water, then went straight back to finish the last five rounds of sparring. I was glad when I heard the countdown to finish all 30 rounds," Dermer said, recalling the torment.
She was part of a group of 26 students from Kaitaia which successfully upgraded in Thames last month including two who graded to 1st degree black belt, Durham Maving and Kathleen T Pomare (the first woman from Dermer's dojo to earn a black belt). There was almost a hint of ulterior motive in the new Dai Sempai's congratulations ...
"It's not easy to train at the same time and run the class so it is good I have some new sempais to help me now, I'm so pleased."
A complete list and group photo of the other students from the dojo who passed the Thames grading on July 5 and 6 will feature in an upcoming edition, along with more news from the Kaitaia-based martial arts organisation.