AAMA • November 13, 2024

BJMA VIC Zen Do Kai State Grading

Zen Do Kai State Grading, Sat 9th November 2024:

Promotions, Years of Training Recognition Awards and ZDK Grading Coordinator Appointment

AAMA's senior students and instructors took part in the BJMA VIC Zen Do Kai State Grading in Bendigo on Saturday 9th November 2024.


We want to congratulate our instructors Zac Williams for achieving his senior 3rd Degree Black Belt and honour grade of Sensei, and Aaron Lees for earning his senior 1st Degree Black Belt and honour grade Sempai. We are all very proud of their performance on the day, and their very well-earned new ranks and titles.


To add to the day's achievements, Sensei Zac was also voted Best on Floor for this year's State Grading, proving that dedication and hard work pay off! We look forward to sharing in Sensei Zac and Sempai Aaron's martial arts journey as they continue to aim high in their own training, while sharing their knowledge with our Kids Karate and Zen Do Kai students as class instructors.


We would also like to acknowledge our senior instructor, Shihan Cam (5th Degree Black Belt, Zen Do Kai), on his selection and appointment as the Zen Do Kai 2nd Degree Grading Coordinator for 2025. Students training toward their 2nd Degree Grading next year will be guided by Shihan's wealth of knowledge, teaching skill, and his passion for martial arts.


A special mention to AAMA Members Kyoshi Bill (Zen Do Kai), who was awarded with recognition for 45 years of training, and to Johnnie Morton (Muay Thai) for 30 consecutive years of training.  This is testament to the fact that a martial arts journey is for life, that there is always something new to learn, and to give back by sharing their knowledge and experience with those just starting out, or making their way through their own journey.


We look forward to seeing more of our AAMA Students and Instructors work toward their next ranks, and continue to aim high!


Well done everyone!

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As we approach the end of 2025, there's still lots going on at AAMA! Please take note of the following grading and end-of-year schedule, and mark these dates in your calendar! Sat 13th December 2025 : Kids Karate & Zen Do Kai Grading End-of-Year Grading is an important all-day event at AAMA, and as such there will be no other classes running on this day. Please note all current Black Belts will be required from 10:00am - 3:00pm (Lunch will be provided for Black Belt Grading Assistants) GRADING DAY SCHEDULE - KIDS KARATE & ZEN DO KAI - SAT 13 DEC 2025 10:00am - Current Junior & Intermediate Black Belts Grading to Intermediate 1st Degree 11:00am - Current White Belts Grading to Yellow, Yellow Belts Grading to Orange and Orange Belts Grading to Blue 12:30pm - Current Blue Belts Grading to Green, and Green Belts Grading to Brown 1:30pm - Current Brown Belts Grading to Junior or Intermediate Black Belt 2:30pm - Black Belt Presentation & Ceremony Sun 14th December 2025, 1pm-4pm : AAMA End of Year Awards and BBQ. All members and families are invited to attend! Tue 16th December 2025, 8pm : Krav Maga in-class Grading Wed 17th December 2025, 7pm : Eskrima in-class Grading Thu 18th December 2025, 8pm : Muay Thai in-class Grading and Final day of classes for 2025 --------------- 2-Week Christmas/New Year Break --------------- Mon 5th January 2026 : Classes resume (holiday timetable) Please check the student portal/app for class times. (Sessions will run on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from the 5th Jan through to Thurs 22nd Jan) Sat 24th January 2026 : Centre Closed Mon 26th January 2026 : Centre Closed - Australia Day Public Holiday Tue 27th January 2026 : AAMA Full Timetable Resumes