Sunday, August 12, 2012

A Post More Than 2 Years In The Making

Yesterday Liam took his final color belt test in Tae Kwon-Do to earn his third (and last) black stripe on his red belt.  From this time on, there will be no more tests until he tests for his black belt. We anticipate that happening in April of next year as long as he keeps up the hard work.

I admit I was a little apprehensive about his performance at this test. After his slip up at the last test, I wanted to make sure he felt confident in all the patterns he had to do. We threw an extra class in here and there over the last 2 months and that seemed to prepare him.

He had to do 2 patterns that he had done before for other belt tests and one brand new pattern - Chin-Moo. Which, I am shocked to say, he learned in its entirety in a single class. That kid has a mind like a steel trap.

(A word on the videos - I did the best I could but an adult who was testing kept getting in my line of sight. Also, I got a little wobbly. Sorry, folks.)

First, he had to do Te-Ge.


Next was Fur-Ahn (I missed the first couple of movements in this one).


Last, Chin-Moo.


Flawless.

After he performed patterns they sparred in groups.  My pictures from that are mostly blurry but he did a pretty good job.  Then, it was time for breaking, which he crushed.

Like a boss.
Finally, it was time to be awarded with his stripe.

Three! Three black stripes!
When it comes time to test for his black belt, Liam will have to perform all nine of the patterns he learned to earn his black stripes. It's a good thing we have 8 months to prepare!

I know he can do it, though. He started out 2 years ago having no real idea how to make his body be so coordinated. He was so awkward - all elbows and knees sticking out. But he kept at it. He worked hard. He did all they asked him to do. He practiced at home. He went to class twice a week every week; summer, fall, winter, and spring. Now he is poised to prove he's worthy to wear a Young Brothers black belt. I know he is. I can't wait to see it happen.

3 comments:

  1. There is so much of value a child can learn from this: persistence, discipline, achievement through effort, and the fact that it's alright to fail as long as you keep trying. Failing is an integral part of long term achievement and fear of failure holds many people back.

    I think it's fantastic that you've encouraged him and provided this opportunity for him.

    Also, posting comments to your blog from my phone is a pain in the ass, and that's why I don't do it often.

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    1. Blogger's comment system SUUUUUUUUUCKS. Just sucks. I've considered migrating to WordPress but that seems like a huge hassle so I haven't. Also, hate their free themes. But the comment system here is my biggest beef with using Blogger as a blogging platform.

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  2. It does suck - and it's a major reason why I don't comment more frequently at this and other Blogger blogs. Well, that and the fact that I really should be keeping a closer eye on the Pixling and the cat after whom he crawled.

    But the phone comments are buggier than the computer comments. It won't let me go back and add or edit for some reason and sometimes I have to preview before it will let me continue typing.

    I agree about Wordpress' themes.

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