Ben and Lloyd – Power of Won Black Belts

They’ve done it! Both Ben Ranisavljev and Lloyd Grills, after years of training, dedication and perseverance, have achieved earning their Black Belt!

On Saturday 22nd August, both students were tested mentally, physically and spiritually, in a grading set to see whether they were capable of maintaining excellence under pressure. They are.

Ben Ranisavljev

Ben began his Martial Arts journey as a 16 year old with me at San Ni Tai Karate-Do, a club which I ran with a friend, Sensei Darren Newbegin at St Joseph’s in North Fitzroy in the early 1990’s. After training for a couple of years, he decided to give it a break and years later, stumbled across my name on the internet. A new journey was to begin and he joined with Power of Won as a member on 16th March 2004.

In this time Ben’s family has grown now with three beautiful children, Lauren, Jessica and Stevie and he has been well supported by his loving wife Luisa.

Ben takes his training seriously and he has earned the, “Budo” award and he has been chosen as the, “Student of the Year.”  In 2007 Ben travelled to Japan with myself and three other Power of Won students, where we had the opportunity to train, visit Shihan Gichin Funakoshi ‘s Memorial and watch the JKA students train in their Hombu (Head Training Centre).

Ben demonstrates a friendly personality and he is very well respected by all the students of the club. Ben’s control when fighting and physical strength and fitness has been a feature of his training, attributes which assisted him greatly on his Black Belt grading day. Well done Ben.

Lloyd Grills

Lloyd Grills’ journey began many years ago and he joined with Power of Won as a ten year old on 14th May 1999. As a junior student, Lloyd was always very focused and it was wonderful to see him have many wonderful kumite and sumo battles with friend Daniel Chrystie.

Lloyd has gone on to earn the, “Budo” award in both Juniors and Seniors and he has been selected as, “Student of the Year.” Lloyd took some time off to travel as an exchange student in France, but resumed training upon his return.

He is quick, deceptively strong with wonderful inner strength. His kata is clean and sharp, terminology near faultless and he has continued to demonstrate a mature approach to his training as a nineteen year old student. Lloyd maintained a high level of commitment to preparation and with Ben was able to endure all that he was presented with on his Black Belt Grading day. Well done Lloyd!


 

Images from the Black Belt Presentation Ceremony.

Below is a video of the Black Belt Presentation.
 

Window Media File.