It was so great to get the Kansas City and UNL dojos together Saturday November 12, 2022 to make an intense practice followed by kyu test. David Altman, godan & leader of UNL Dojo in Lincoln, Nebraska, led the practice and then, assisted by Mike Lyon and Carl Johnson, conducted the kyu test. Five nidans led eight juniors through kihon (basic techniques), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring with a partner).

Kyu Test Results:

• 1st kyu – Paul Cepe (Kansas City)
• 5th kyu – Beyuo Kuukole (Kansas City)
• 6th kyu – Sam Giuffre (UNL)
• 7th kyu – Greg Pierson (Kansas City)
• 7th kyu – Earle Lariosa (Kansas City)
• 7th kyu – Patrick Moeller (Kansas City)
• 8th kyu – Anicet Akanze (Kansas City)
• 8th kyu – Grady Wright (UNL)

After kyu test, our dojo manager, Ken Richardson, invited everyone over for an after-kyu test celebration. Salad, sandwiches, cookies and cake were served along with beer and soft drinks. It was so good to be with four pillars of the dojo who hadn’t practiced with us for quite a long while, Mike Bedinger, Nancy Aguirre, Glen Mies, Gary Rubyor – thank you, everyone, for a very fun evening!

Ken and Deborah Richardson’s home was built in 1904. It had fallen into deep disrepair and had been condemned by the time Ken and Deborah purchased it about around 2010. The house had been built by the “tile king” of Kansas City and the home is just full of the most incredible tile – beautiful stuff! Ken and Deborah and their two ginormous great danes (plus a third dog of more average stature) have been rehabbing the home little by little and their work is first rate. It was so fun to see the place for the first time Saturday. The front rooms are more or less finished, but there are three floors and a basement and there’s so much still to do. The kitchen is completely restored and is a MARVEL of tile and top-notch self-closing drawers and cabinets and… There’s a huge fireplace in the front hall they’ve completely restored. Other parts of the house have been taken down to the studs, rewired, re-plumbed – just a HUGE undertaking!

THANK YOU Deborah and Kenny!!! Wonderful party!