Having started Karate when I was 5 years old yesterday I took part in my Shodan or Black Belt grading in Seido Karate.
I actually started a different style of Karate and have only been doing Sedio since I was 8 so for a bit over 8 years now.
The grading was about 3 hours long, the first two hours was syllabus, self defences, kata’s, work with a partner (40 made up self defences with weapons, I used a spade and boomerang :p) etc and the last hour was intense sparring, I had to do 40 fights. Overall it was a very hard grading, but an awesome experience, fun in a painful kind of way 
Today im pretty sore all over, bruised ribs and arms etc but it was all worth it 
Im so happy now because I’ve been training hard for the last 2 months and now its all over! My school exams just finished as well so now im really in summer holiday!
My parents and sister go some cool photos and short movie clips which I’ll try get on this computer and post. Oh an its my birthday on monday A very good few days
EDIT: Sorry bout all the smilies