Black Belt Essay

ESSAY FOR 2^ND DAN BLACK BELT

When starting Taekwon-Do one of my main aims was to become a black belt.  Like any beginner, initially I admired the black belts and all thoughts were about if and when I could be that good.  After attaining my 1^st Dan I considered it important to continue to set a proper example for the lower grades and to set new goals.  One of those goals was to gain my 2^nd Dan.  Many members don’t re-evaluate their goals and after achieving one goal, become complacent and stop training.  This is unfortunate because the higher the level you attain, the more you realize the many benefits and different aspects of Taekwon-Do.

Patterns are what I would consider the most important of the physical aspects.  They show your rhythm, balance, breath control, power and even your attitude, which makes them a very valuable tool for determining and assessing overall ability.  Above all they show technique.  This is vital to have correct because if the technique is sub-standard this causes many of the previously listed things (power, balance etc ) to be of a poorer quality also.

Sparring is the practical physical part of the art.  This gives the participants the opportunity to show their ability to defend themselves if put in the real situation of a violent encounter.  They can work on the speed, combinations and accuracy of their attacks and also the agility, accuracy and balance required to counter the opponent’s technique.  Step sparring involves getting used to combinations, timing, side-stepping and the distances and targets involved.  Semi-free sparring adds more realism to the situation, whilst still containing the contenders, and letting them practice their combinations.  Ultimately, free sparring gives the free from technique type chance to ‘battle it out’ with an opponent to practice and test your ability to look after yourself.

Board breaking is the chance to test your power (and also technique) by coming up against a number of planks of wood.  This illustrates the fact that it should only take one strike to eliminate your attacker and therefore end the encounter.

Jumping techniques are possibly what most spectators associate with Taekwon-Do.  The fancy and impressive leaping about that is the high point of all the action movies.  These techniques are not necessarily a requirement to be able to protect yourself, but more of an added advantage if they can be performed well.

A satisfying part of training at this level is the assistance that can be given to the lower grades in aiding them to achieve their goals.  Knowing it is your influence and actions that are affecting them ensures that you maintain the right attitude and also continue to show quality in your technique.

Confidence is one of the beneficial qualities received through Taekwon-Do training.  Knowing that you can defend yourself if the situation required it, is a reassuring feeling and I believe it can be this self-confidence which actually avoids the need for the use of any self-defence.  Not only this confidence in being able to handle yourself when walking down the street, but general confidence in yourself, that you can achieve and that your opinion matters is good for everyone.  I always used to be very shy and self-conscious, whereas now, though still generally reserved, I have much more confidence when talking to and in front of others.  This clearly comes through such things as instructing the class in training.

Physical well-being and fitness is a valuable side to Taekwon-Do.  I’m a very sporty person so my Taekwon-Do training has helped me with many activities and sports (and vice versa).  Being fit helps keep you healthy and of a desirable weight which in turn also helps prevent illnesses and various health problems.  It is this aspect which many people consider as one of the main things to gain from Taekwon-Do, along with the ability to defend yourself.  Today more and more people are finding it necessary to learn how to defend themselves in the unfortunately all to common situation of an attack.  Women especially, are likely to require knowledge of self-defence in order to keep themselves unharmed.

Discipline, control and respect are all taught in Taekwon-Do training and I think these things are most valuable especially to the younger members.  It is these values and attitudes which will shape the person for the rest of their lives and will help them in many aspects of a quality life, rather than adding to the ‘already too high’ rates of crime and violence in the world today.

In 1990 I attended my first Taekwon-Do tournament, the nationals in Wellington.  I hoped to go along as part of my club, have fun, gain experience and support my clubmates.  I was fortunate enough to do this and also a little extra.  I came away from the tournament with a gold medal in the special technique section and a New Zealand record for jumping front snap kick.  At the time I didn’t really comprehend what had happened and it took a little while to sink in.  But it was then that I was awakened to the opportunities that I had never even considered possible.  It allowed me to realise that there is so much more to everything both physically and mentally.  Taekwon-Do has been a part of my life for a long time now and I have made many valuable friendships and developed important qualities because of it.  I have achieved many things so far and hope to continue to achieve well at the highest level I can in order to fulfil further ambitions as the opportunities arise.

 Finally, I aim to continue to enjoy Taekwon-Do and keep finding benefits of Taekwon-Do training whilst also being able to assist others with their goals.