Second black belt
Banff Kyokushin Karate Club instructor Daymon Miller became the club’s second member to receive a black belt
Posted By Shawn Slaght
Posted 7 months ago
Banff Kyokushin Karate Club instructor Daymon Miller has become the second person within their club to reach the black belt level.
Miller achieved his black belt at a training camp last summer to join head instructor Jeff Hines as the only two black belts in the club.
With a club of about 50 members, Miller said it is quite an accomplishment to have two black belts.
"They say in martial arts that out of every 1,000 people that start martial arts only one will reach the level of black belt," Miller said. "In Banff we've managed to do that with two people so far."
Receiving a black belt is an accumulation of Miller's experiences since starting martial arts in 1980.
He had to submit a resume of his accomplishments to the head instructors to meet certain criteria before even being considered for a black belt.
The summer camp he received his belt at concluded with him competing in 10 full-contact competitions in a row with no breaks.
He said the idea was not to win every one, but to show your spirit and heart by not giving up and fight in all the matches.
The Banff Kyokushin Karate Club started up under the banner as a Kyokushin club in August of 2001 as it was an independent club prior to that date. The club started out with about 12 kids and six or seven adults.
"It was just to join something more bigger and move us along," Miller said. "Since that time the club has grown. More kids practices, we've increased our numbers and have had our fighters compete at international tournaments."
Kyokushin karate is a realistic full-contact style of fighting, which can make it very difficult.
The children's class runs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at the karate dojo located at 114 Banff Avenue (accessed from the alley).
This class is designed for children aged eight to 12 and teaches basic techniques and form and lays out the groundwork for further training.
The adult classes are for students 12 years of age and older. It teaches everything from fitness and basic techniques to advanced techniques. Most training session can expect full-contact sparring.
These classes are every Monday and Thursday at the karate dojo from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The family classes teach the beginner basics to children aged five to seven along with their parents. It is an opportunity for adults to participate with their children.
The family session runs every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Banff Elementary School Bighorn Street entrance.
Miller said they have an ongoing registration and those interested can try their first class for free before committing to anything.
More information about the club can be found at www.banffkyokushin.com
Shawn@thecrag.ca
