The Official Date

It is official. My black belt pre-test will begin at 10:00am on Sunday, January 24th.

The test will consist of:

6 kicking sequences
26 self defense sequences
6 hand forms
3 individual staff forms
1 two person staff form
1 sword form
sparring against single and double opponents
Conditioning (including: 50 panther pushups, 50 row-boats, 150 seconds of horse stance)
An oral test (including the history of ChoyLayFut Kung Fu, history of Sanshou, the 10 rules of Kung Fu, the 10 Elements of Kung Fu, and Internal and External power.)
A take home essay

I am nervous.

Tuesday is for Bruises

David’s victory against Goliath had nothing to do with bravery. Sure, David was physically outmatched but he had projectile weaponry. Of course he won.

Unfortunately, projectile weaponry tends to be frowned upon in my Kung Fu sparring class.

This creates a problem for me when I spar Brian the 6’5″ (1.98 meters) bear. With quads as wide as railroad ties and biceps like bowling balls, Brian defines intimidation. He consistently removes the ‘take’ from ‘give and take’ and happily pummels you for each two minute sparring match.

Last night, I had my moment. As usual, I was backed up in a corner trying to escape the freight train that is his musculature. I was doing everything I could to block his crushing blows. Finally he broadcasted a left hook and I was able to spin underneath and deliver a sharp hook to his ribs.

BAM!

I’d like to say that he faltered and stepped back to catch his breath. That the surprise in his eyes betrayed his true fear. That with his rhythm disrupted it was all he do to back away in retreat.

But a hero’s story this is not.

Instead, Brian nonchalantly returned to his role as Cassius Clay and I to my role as Sonny Liston.

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Fight for your right to party. Literally.

Last night, my Kung Fu SiFu (Master) mentioned to me that he’s planning on scheduling my black belt pretest for January.

This is huge.

The pretest is a private display of all your skills and knowledge. While seen from the outside as a start of the black belt process, it’s really the single most important step. Once you prove yourself at the black belt pretest, the remaining time and effort is more symbolic and ceremonious – sure, it takes continued dedication and effort, but you can release a lot of the stress associated with pointed criticism, constructive though it may be. I would imagine that the pretest is somewhat analogous to a private dissertation defense. The public defense immediately following is far more visible, but much less traumatic.

Typically the formal ceremonious black belt test takes place 3-6 months after the pretest.

After the final test, there will be a mighty mighty party.