What you put into your training is what your black belt is worth

My story of my black belt test in American Society of Karate

  • Day One: Tri Star in Landa Park of New Braunfels, Texas. It was Palm Sunday of 1997, it was a perfect day to run a 2.7 mile obstacle course. To make a long test short; this is how it went. We began by running down a  the hill.  The  first station we did 50 push ups.  We ran and jump in some freak'n cold water, got out and did  75 sit ups. We ran across the street 3rd station we had to do 30 frog leaps, we ran some more only to squat down to do the duck walk for a short distance The we ran about a mile came to station number 5 to the mountain climbers 100 of them. The run continued to the monkey bars to do 15 chin ups.  The run was almost over but first we had to run some more. Around the loop then the inner loop, then we ran back up a hill! Oh yes, it was exhausting. MY time was 35 minutes. The end of Day One

 

  • Day Two: We started with our P.T.  One mile run, 100 sit ups, 100 push up and jump rope for 5 minutes. We then took a two hour on The Written Test. It was hard we all got drain bamage.

 

  • Day Three: P.T. and go right into TECHNIQUES 2000 of them. Really it is not that hard. If you work out daily and stick to your program you will make it.S0

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At our brown belt test we had to execute around 600 techniques. I clearly remember Mr. Smith saying," For your black belt test you will do 2000 techniques! I thought z'There is no way in---- that I will never get my black belt!"

Training Helps!

 

After 2000 techniques

Margie, Olga, Grace, Dennis


Tuesday Technique Night and we still had two more nights to go

 

I BELIEVE:

That whatever is in your heart will come to pass. Understand? Whatever is in your heart  your mind is set to do. Where is your heart? What do you want? Attitude Is Everything. You can be the master of every situation that comes into your life.

 
  • Day Four: P.T. and KATAS. A total of 53 katas have to be performed. Katas are scored as if at tournament. Any score lower than 7.5 will have to be performed again. Mr. Smith (the head instructor) made us do one more To-san. I don't know why, but maybe because we were doing too well! The last katas were our musicals katas. I did start over twice. The first time I was almost finished I turned towards the class and noticed everyone watching me and I lost concentration. The third and forth times were perfect. WHAT?

 

  • Day Five: The culmination of the week. FIGHT NIGHT: It still starts off with P.T. The first part of the test was self defense. Candidates are attacked from rear and front and are in a continuous defense for five minutes. A three minute break and back to the next set. When the second set is finished candidates get ready for the final test of endurance
  • SPARRING. A total of 20 sparring matches; four sets of five and ninety seconds long. Between each set a 90 second break is given. It was only enough time to take off the gear, wipe off the sweat get a drink of water and back into the ring. The object is to keep the candidates fighting, throwing punches, strikes and kicks. This test can make a grown man cry.

The last fight of the night the candidates are tired broken and feeling defeated. But wait the instructor calls his students in for a talk. What does he say to them? What revives them? Something emerges from within! That last fight is the pinnacle of the evening. The crowd is cheering and the candidates are revived and the last 90 seconds are energetic. The whistle blows and it was over. The goal is accomplished. What did the Snick say? I'll never tell!  Okay just a hint; it was about Houston!

This picture was taken at the end of "FIGHT NIGHT" The black belt candidates were taunted by fellow brown belts and black belts. An experience of a life time.

 

 

The Three Amigas


WE MADE IT! I guess if I can do it anyone can do it. It was an awesome feeling having the last stripe removed from my belt. I promised myself that I would not cry and I didn't .

A most gratifying statement was heard that night, after Mr. Smith bowed us out he said, "I'm proud as hell."

The 3 Amigas worked diligent to get to this point.  We love it.. I loved working with my friends to reach this goal.  We were each others motivation . 

 

 

BUT

My Kenpo brown belt test was more aggressive than any of the hck. black belt test

I don't know if I will make it to black, I can only hope to find my resolve.

 

Sifu  ties on my brown belt. 

Tony (standing to my left) was my partner and  he was AWESOME, couldn't have done it with out him.

Presently I am the only female brown belt in our Kenpo School.  Sifu is always encouraging me to continue my training. IT is a challenge.  If  I should ever be so fortunate as to earn my black belt I will be the 4th female that Sifu has promoted.  The last female promoted to black belt was back in Oct. 1999.  To be in that number would be a dream come true.  Forward I go!