On December 14, 2002, Mike Stephenson graded successfully for his black belt at East York Hapkido-Karate Club. Mike has been a member of the club since 1991 and is our first black belt to have trained entirely under Sensei John and Tony Foster. You can click the smaller images to view larger ones. Please use the "back" button of your browser to return.

The examiners. From left to right: Sensei Max White, Sensei Neil Mathews, Sensei John Foster, and Sensei Tony Foster. John and Tony currently run EYHKC. Max and Neil were their fellow students coming up through the ranks of the former United Hapkido Karate Clubs.

Here Mike is doing a take-down from a same-side front wrist-grab with Tommy Cain. This is a blue belt technique.

What to do when you have to choke an uke as big as Gary Krupa? Jump on his back!

Mike demonstrates a knife disarming technique with John. Knife defenses are taught at the brown belt level.

Mike (seen here kicking the shield for Tony) had to perform all blocks, punches, kicks, and strikes as part of his test.

Mike sparred all of the senior kyu (coloured belts), as well as the black belts. Here he delivers a side kick to Tony Kimmons.

During sparring John gets in a round-house kick.

Double-break! A punch to a board held by Tony Kimmons, then an elbow to Tommy's board.

Before and after shots of Mike taking out a board by Tony Foster. He is using a shuto (knife-hand strike).

Mike's final break was with wrist. Neil Mathews is holding the board.

Final group photo. Standing left to right: Neil, John, Mike, Tony, and Max. Kneeling: Tony, Tommy, and Gordon Nore.

Photos on this page courtesy of Gordon W.E. Nore © 1999 - 2007