Christian Buffaloe, 17-year old son and student of local Kyokushin Karate instructor Kenny Buffaloe, recently passed a high level examination for 1st Kyu (brown belt/black tip) ranking.
In Kyokushin Karate, rank is difficult to attain due to the high level and standards required for advancement. Students are tested on their technical abilities, attitudes, seriousness in training, fighting spirit and character. Proper attitude/spirit is considered the most important thing.
Buffaloe was tested at the Kyokushin Karate headquarters school in New York City by Shihan Katsuhito Gorai, a top Kyokushin Karate instructor from Tokyo, Japan. After three gruelling hours of testing on his techniques, power and spirit, Christian Buffaloe was officially promoted to 1st Kyu (brown belt/black tip). At this level, a trainee must also show aptitude and ability to teach basic Kyokushin training classes to lower ranked students. Buffaloe assists with weekly training clases in Roanoke Rapids and Murfreesboro, passing on his knowledge and experience.
In Kyokushin style karate, the Kumite (fighting portion of the test) is the most important requirement, 70 percent of the test, which is always full-contact, knockdown fighting against multiple opponents consecutively without a break.
Buffaloe, the 2016 All American Kyokushin Karate Teen champion, is currently training hard to compete in the Japan-sponsored "2017 U.S.W.C. Kyokushin Karate Championships" in Little Tokyo (Los Angeles, Calif.) in January 2017. Buffaloe hopes to also represent the United States and North Carolina at the "World Kyokushin Karate Teen Championships" in Tokyo, Japan, in April, 2017.
For more information on Kyokushin Karate and area training classes, call: (252) 589 - 4281, or email: