zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type this)
 

The test began last night with the 1-mile run. I had 8 minutes and did it in 7:45. This was followed by push ups and sit ups. 50 each in a minute each. No problem. Then was stand-up self defense. Grabs, chokes, take downs, etc. Smooth sailing for me.

Then came grappling, or Ju-Jitsu to some people. I breezed through the positions of advantage and their submissions, but then came my moment to grapple Sensei David, a 2nd degree black belt. We had 2-3 minute rounds. He basically gave me a butt kicking on the ground. But I survived, even holding my own at times and we moved on to sparring.

3-2 minute rounds, full contact. My first opponent was Sensi Pablo, a 3rd degree black belt. We were about 30-45 seconds into the round, and I was holding my own, if you call getting kicked in the stomach a few times holding your own. But I did manage to get a few strikes in, until "the kick".

My hands were already starting to feel heavy from the 16 ounce gloves and I dropped my left hand just a bit. WHAM! He caught me with a roundhouse kick to the temple sending me to the floor out cold. I don't know how long I was out, but the next thing I know my Shihan (Master) is asking me where I was, my name, etc. I somehow convinced him I was okay (I wasn't) and the round continued.

The whole dojo was a whrilling, spinning, blurry mess. Sensei Pablo knocked me around and down to the mat 3 more times before the round ended. I had 1 minute to recover and get my head straight for round 2.

Sempi Sebastian a 2nd degree Black Belt. This time I was up against speed, not power. My head was still spinning, but I managed to smack or kick him 1-2 times for every 10 he hit me. The round ended and I almost threw up (really). 1 more minute to recover and the final round.

Sensei Robert a 2nd degree Black Belt. A big, brusing, hulk of a man. I'm 6'1", 225, he easily outweighs me by 40 pounds standing 6 feet tall. I don't remember much of round 3, I did manage a few well placed side kicks and knee strikes on Sensei Robert, but of course, I hit the mat 3 or 4 times as he smacked me around.

The round ended, the Black Belts cheered for me, and a doctor came over to check me out. He said I probably had a mild concussion (mild?!?!) and I told him I didn't care. Sparring in a Black Belt test is more about character, not quitting, not saying "I give" more than anything else, and I didn't quit.

This morning was the 2 hour written test and I nailed it, only missing 2 questions. Then came Katas, which I aced. Techniques followed, and I aced those too. Then came falls and rolls, board breaking, and the test was over.

During board breaking I tore some tendions in my elbow, but at the point I didn't care, and its nothing a sling and some bourbon can't take care of.

I'll recieve my belt Wednesday night. Thanks for listening.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type this)
 

Newfant congratulates you.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type this)
 

congrats!

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

I don't really understand how you can get a black belt and get raped by people in the tests?

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type this)
 

I hope you wear your uniform and black belt while going about your daily business downtown and such. If you dont, it seems a bit like a waste.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type this)
 

My black belt tests were probably the hardest things I've ever done in my life. Congrats.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

Kind of like how you can graduate from college without being smarter than your professors.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

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I don't really understand how you can get a black belt and get raped by people in the tests?

[/ QUOTE ]

The sparring part of the test is designed for you to fail. They are 2nd and 3rd degree Black Belts who are fresh. I'd already been working out for 2 hours by the time sparring came around. Its a test of character and survival, plus a rite of passage.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type this)
 

Congrats dude.

-SmileyEH

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

No mercy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...2/nosensei.jpg

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type this)
 

Congrats guy. I also second the notion you wear your uniform to complete every day tasks. I can see it now boss: "Excuse me, did you get the memo that was sent out yesterday"....you respond by totally flipping out.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type this)
 

I had no idea it was that hard. You would have had my respect even before I knew how hard it really is. Now I don't even know what to say.

Wtg be proud you earned it and fighting through the injuries before and during is really impressive.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

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I don't really understand how you can get a black belt and get raped by people in the tests?

[/ QUOTE ]



"Okay, lose opponent, must not lose fear!"-- Mr. Miyagi

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

[ QUOTE ]
The sparring part of the test is designed for you to fail. They are 2nd and 3rd degree Black Belts who are fresh. I'd already been working out for 2 hours by the time sparring came around. Its a test of character and survival, plus a rite of passage.

[/ QUOTE ]
This sounds incredibly stupid. Like fraternity hazing [censored]-a-sheep stupid.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

Congrats. Your karate sounds a lot less stupid than most karate.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The sparring part of the test is designed for you to fail. They are 2nd and 3rd degree Black Belts who are fresh. I'd already been working out for 2 hours by the time sparring came around. It’s a test of character and survival, plus a rite of passage.

[/ QUOTE ]
This sounds incredibly stupid. Like fraternity hazing [censored]-a-sheep stupid.

[/ QUOTE ]

Lots of things that are challenging and give you a sense of accomplishment look stupid to the people not involved. I got 5 concussions in one year of hockey and played through it. Dumbest thing I ever did. I was never more happy even though we lost in the finals.

Mountain climbing, marathon running, and anything that is really hard will appear not worth the sacrifice to people not trying to reach the goal. The person that reaches these goals however takes a confidence away from the experience that makes the real everyday problems we all need to face seem like child’s play.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

way to go zulu. i can tell you right now i would quit during the 2nd round. that sounded brutal.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

neat story

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type this)
 

That's an incredible test of mental and physical strenght. Congratulations! What an amazing story. Hope you feel physically better though, sounds like you got beaten pretty bad.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type this)
 

[ QUOTE ]
That's an incredible test of mental and physical strenght. Congratulations! What an amazing story. Hope you feel physically better though, sounds like you got beaten pretty bad.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually I'm having my first, of many, bourbons tonight to deaden the pain/soreness. First time I've drank in 3 months. What a buzz!

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type this)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
That's an incredible test of mental and physical strenght. Congratulations! What an amazing story. Hope you feel physically better though, sounds like you got beaten pretty bad.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually I'm having my first, of many, bourbons tonight to deaden the pain/soreness. First time I've drank in 3 months. What a buzz!

[/ QUOTE ]

You deserve it. Next one is on me [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

Congrats, and well done. You'll carry that accomplishment with you for the rest of your life, and no one can ever take it from you, even when you're old and long past your fighting days. It won't make you better than anyone, but it will remind you of your best self and how good that can be.

I dunno, though, about some of that testing -- a roundhouse kick to the temple could kill you or hurt you pretty bad. Not sure how much I like the idea of instructors doing that sort of thing, or continuing fighting more rounds after a knock-out. That seems pretty irresponsible.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

Now you can learn all the secert ninga moves banned by the government.

JK Congrats man that rocks.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

Congrats bro!!!!!!!!!

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

Well done, sir. In what style do you train?

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

So what's it take to become 2nd and 3rd degree?

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

Were you the one that posted about wanting to bang your sensei?

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

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Were you the one that posted about bangin your sensee?

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I believe he wanted to bang his sensei, so any follow up on that, or did you settle for bangin sensei Robert?

Also, how's that ankle, completely healed?

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

Congrats on a great accomplishment! One question though - no headgear? Or was his kick hard enough to take you down even with the headgear?

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

[ QUOTE ]
secert ninga moves

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Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type th
 

Well done!!!!!

Lawrence

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type this)
 

Well Done!!

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type this)
 

The style is American Shotokan.

I had headgear on and still got knocked out. Sensei Pablo competes as a pro.

The Sensei I posted the pic of a few months ago was one of my judges, she didn't get to kick my butt.

The ankle was just well enough to take the test, although now its swollen up like a grapefruit.

2nd degree will take another 3 years. You must learn several Black Belt Katas as well as improve on everything you know already.

Re: zuluking gets his Black Belt in Karate (long but I need to type this)
 

Congrats Zulu.....remember your post about the injured ankle and your concern about taking the test. Glad to see you succeeded!

Now take care of yourself....bourbon....ice....bourbon.. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]