Black Belt Test Recap Part III

This post is part three in a series. For part II, please click here. For part I, please click here.

Black belt candidates are required to complete three conditioning tasks: 50 panther push-ups, 50 row-boats, and two and a half minutes of horse stance.

conditioning
Panther push-ups are performed on the middle knuckles of the fingers

While the push-ups and row-boats were no real challenge, the horse stance was a different story. My quads were already fearfully sore after the forms, self defenses, and sparring – so I was truly worried about my ability to accomplish the 150 seconds of horse stance.

The clock started and I rested my bo staff across my legs.

Horse Stance
Horse Stance

To date, the longest I’d been able to endure the pain with bo staff was 2 minutes flat. I desperately watched as the clock hands circle through their path. After 90 seconds my legs were burning.

Horse Stance pain
oh, the burning!

Admittedly, my form suffered a bit into as we passed the two minute mark. My stance sagged and my feet edged out, though I’m pleased to say that the staff did not roll off my legs. Sihing Mark counted down the last few seconds of agony. My task completed, I folded over – exhausted.

oh the pain
My crumpled body after 150 seconds of horse stance.

The test was over.

The celebrations began with a tea ceremony. The first task of new black belts is to serve your master tea. This is done in part to check our egos. Yes, we are now black belts – but we still must show respect and honor to those who have helped us along the way.

tea ceremony
Serving my Sifu tea

With the tea served, I was asked to stand and my Sifu removed my dark brown belt and replaced it with my new black belt.

Black Belt
Black Belt

black belt!
Mom D, Mike D, Dad D.

Pictures were taken, and then we zipped off as we needed to prepare for the party.

Tomorrow, we’ll have party pictures!

10 thoughts on “Black Belt Test Recap Part III

  • 6/10/2010 at 11:48 am
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    WOW. This is so cool! I love the picture of you and the ‘rents! What an accomplishment!!!!!!!!

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  • 6/10/2010 at 3:55 pm
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    Congratulations! What an impressive accomplishment. And I love the photo of you and your parents.

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  • 6/11/2010 at 1:10 pm
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    Congrats. I can’t believe how much awesomeness you have accomplished since college! Way to go!

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    • 6/11/2010 at 1:15 pm
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      Thanks!! I will be needing new goals soon so start the brainstorming.

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      • 6/11/2010 at 4:09 pm
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        How about something like combining two interests such as guitars and woodcarving and making your own guitars (My neighbor used to do this, it was very cool, he started with really nice bowls and such before working up to actual guitars.)

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      • 6/14/2010 at 1:46 pm
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        Rock climbing + woodcarving = tree climbing?

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      • 6/14/2010 at 1:47 pm
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        rock climbing + kung fu = parkour?

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        • 6/14/2010 at 1:48 pm
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          rock climbing + kung fu = ninja training?

          Reply
      • 6/14/2010 at 1:50 pm
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        Music + food = a rockin’ musical cookbook album (the words of a cookbook, set to music)

        Reply

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