On October 16, 2010 I took my senior dan black belt test in Tang Soo Doo. My test lasted over 5 hours,a consisted of doing 4 different forms of Korean fighting moves. The 4 forms are basic one, psi, pydon chodan, and pydon edan. I also had to do 18 combonations and a weapens form. I did the basic one with the bo staff. A bo staff is a big stick. I also needed to break 5 hand breaks and 5 feet breaks but of course I didnt break my hands and feet. My plans for the future are to learn more and earn more degrees. I also had to do moving across the floor in korean which was really challenging. To answer Mr. Heald’s question, yes its is similar to Taekwondo, Tang Soo Doo is the father of Taekwando. To Ms. Allen and others who are wondering why it took five hours is because I had to wait while the other people in my class were also testing. Lastly, to answer other general questions, I’m in the fourth grade and I have been studying Tang Soo Doo for five years and the belts consists of levels starting from white,orange, green, red, and black. There are ten degrees of black belt. I now have my first degree black belt and it will take me about two to two in a half years to get my second degree.
My Karate Test
From a third grade class in Michigan
Aristotle, (a guy worth looking into), said this a long time ago:
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
I think that anyone who commits to martial arts long enough to earn a black belt is someone who has learned to develop excellent habits! Do you find that things you learn in the dojo help you in other parts of your life?
That’s a really interesting report. I never realised karate was so complex. Quite a few of my students (here in England) do Taekwondo. Is that similar to Karate?
I don’t know you, but I just happened upon your blog post. I’m a teacher and I was looking for examples of student blogs. Are you a student? What grade? I’m really impressed by your black belt… and especially your 5 hours worth of endurance! I wish I knew more about martial arts. How many levels are there within the black belt? I have run 4 marathons (26.2 miles or 42.2 km)… sloooowly…. in just shy of 4 & a half hours, so I almost understand how exhausting your test might have been…. but will never know for sure.
Congratulations on a remarkable accomplishment!!!
Your writing has people very interested. I featured your post on our class blog. http://weblogs.pbspaces.com/mrskolbert/
Perhaps you can add more descriptive sentences and we can add them to your post. Great job, Joey. I’m really proud of your accomplishment (AND your writing).
I don’t know very much about Korean fighting forms or getting a black belt in this graceful sport, but I would love to know more about what it looks like or feels like. I have many Korean students at my school and it would be cool to show off my new knowledge to them!
What can I say my son, you brought joyful tears to my eyes again just like on the day you were born. I am so very proud of you in so many ways. Watching you test and seeing what you are capable of shows me how successful you will be in life and in years to come. Your perseverance is amazing and is a great attribute. Keep up the hard work in both school and karate. I’ll always be here for you. I love you and support you.
Love, Mom
Hi my name is Madelon and I was wondering what is Taekwondo?
http://room129.edublogs.org/category/15-madelon/
I am an IT teacher from Cape Town, South Africa and love your blog! Well done on your wonderful achievement! Your post touched me because I have a son in Grade 1 and he will de doing his grading test on Saturday. He is hoping to achieve his yellow belt. He does Shotokan Karate and has been working hard for his grading, so I know what you have been through.
I found your blog because your teacher’s blog has been nominated for an EDUblog Award by TJ Shay (http://tjonajourney.blogspot.com/) and I follow his blog. I also have a blog, but I am a newbie blogger looking to learn new things all the time! Pop in and see what we do here in Cape Town: http://www.karenstadler.wordpress.com/
Happy blogging!
WOW a karate
test I took one when I was 4yrs old