四段が取りませんでした

今回五月の審査でまだ四段が取りませんでした。本当に難しいでした。今回が十一月の審査よりいい稽古をしたと思いました。だがまだ「四段を取った』と思いませんでした。やっぱりまだ駄目です。もっと練習しなければなりません。先生達、先輩達、とみんなの稽古感謝しました。また四段のチャレンジをします。

Well, it's official. I did not pass my yondan test this May. I thought I did better than my previous attempt last November, but I did not have the feeling of "I got it!" during the test. It really is difficult. I need to practice more, which I plan to do now that I no longer have soccer on Saturdays. I must also thank my senseis, my senpais, and everyone at the dojo for their practices. And the challenge continues.

On a separate note, Tanaka sensei told me during kata practice yesterday that I'm too stiff. Kata needs to have emotion, but also needs to look smooth and beautiful. I am focusing so much on displaying emotion that my motions are jerky and unpleasant. I think my keiko is being affected in a similar way as well.