We did belt testing tonight at Versus21. I’m a little behind my peers as I had about 3 months off due to a tendinitis injury in my right wrist from playing badminton of all things. So tonight finally was the belt test that I could not miss like I did the last one.

The evening test consisted of different technique demonstrations. Left – right -duck, left – right – double hook – front kick and so on. Being a bit behind my peers actually made me well prepared. But one thing I did flub was the Ippon Kumite demonstration, but only because I got partnered up with a southpaw. Whoa, everything was different. Note to self on that one. We then moved on to the heavy bag for a demonstration of power on the bag. We hit the bag with kicks and punches at full power for one minute, ducking and weaving and setting up for powerful combinations. Shadow Sparring was next, swapping partners after a defined time. Then we moved on to conditioning. 15 pushups ( we do lots more than that regularly I can assure you), 80 squats, and then the abdominal plank.

In general, I was well prepared, and I’m glad to finally have my belt. Its true though, as they say, a belt is only there to keep your pants up. What really matters is how good you do when you train. But I can say that it is good to have one on after long last. I look forward to training even harder, sparring, getting stronger, sharper, and losing some more weight.

And the final bit of preparation, you might notice, is how my toenails are painted to match my new belt colour.

Orange belt, orange toenails

Remember this: a belt is only there to keep your pants up. You have to earn the rest.

My Grades:

Technique: B
Kumite: B
Bag Work: A
Exercise: A-
Attitude/Attendance: A

Group shot, orange in front, green in the back

I attended a special evening at Champions Academy of Martial Arts. Seven students tested to get their black belt. For were testing for low black, and three were testing to earn their black belt first degree.

Black Belt Night At Champions Martial Arts Academy

What does it take to get a Black Belt? A lot of kicks, pushups, shadow boxing, katas, no-fear drops, rolls, flying kicks, breaking boards, more flying kicks, sparring, takedowns, and lots of sweat. Have a look at the photos of the event, and videos I posted to YouTube.

Black Belt Students

Impress these people and you might get a black belt

Student Kata Movement

Kata Movement

Student slowly raises leg and extends with complete control

Kata

Do a little shadow boxing

No martial arts program is complete without the splits.

200 high kicks

You want to be here? You are going to have to do lots of pushups.

Board breaking demonstrations

Demonstration of takedowns