Tw: caps || GUYS MY BLACK BELT TEST IS IN 11 DAYS :O what I have is in the notes and credits- and in this context i'm talking to my sensei :) definitions of terms I used in my essay below! KATA DEFINITION: a system of individual training exercises for practitioners of karate and other martial arts. TAKEDOWN DEFINITION: a technique designed to break an opponent's balance and force them from a standing position to the ground, often followed by a finishing move. DOJO DEFINITION: a room (can be a building too) in which judo and other martial arts are practiced. AUDIT DEFINITION: I couldn't find a definition for this, but basically it's a 'practice' of your black belt test 6 months before so you know what you need to work on.
So, what does it mean to be a black belt? To me, being a black belt represents hard work, dedication, perseverance, and maturity. When I first started karate, my initial goal was to be able to defend myself. It started out as a hobby, but it is now one of my passions. Being a black belt is not about how well you do the blocks, kicks, or kata- It’s about how you carry yourself. The rank of a black belt isn’t all about technical skill, it’s about resilience built from years of practice. We’ve all had those days when we have struggled with a complex kata, a certain takedown, or kick. For example, I struggled with Passai Sho, when we first started learning it. It frustrated me very deeply, and was a roadblock in my journey. It wasn’t so difficult that I considered quitting, but it’s important how you rebound from a struggle, though. A black belt is only a white belt who never gave up. Real strength is self control and respecting others, inside and outside our dojo. Earning my black belt isn’t the end of my training- It’s actually just the start of a new chapter. I’m ready to keep learning, keep growing, and represent my dojo with pride. As you always say, “You guys are my mirror. If you don’t look good, I don’t look good.” What I aim to be is a reflection of all of the work I've put into this and how much I've grown. I remember as a yellow belt being in awe of the black belts. Now, I want to be the type of leader who encourages someone when they stumble, just like how that was done for me. I remember during my audit, I was so nervous in front of you guys that I totally forgot everything I learned and practiced. It was kind of embarrassing, but it taught me that I can’t just rely on muscle memory to ‘save’ me. In conclusion, being a brown stripe has been a huge learning experience. It taught me the closer I get to a black belt, the more I realize- I still have a lot to learn. I want my karate to be sharp, my stances strong, and my attitude to be one that helps others and lifts them up. Even when I mess up, (like during my audit) I’m going to use that as motivation to learn from my mistakes, work harder, and be better. I want to thank you and my parents for pushing me out of my comfort zone, and helping me learn everything I know. I’m not just testing for myself though, I'm testing to prove I'm ready to give back to the dojo that's given me so much. I’m going to always work my hardest to be a leader that you can be proud of. When testing finally comes, I’ll be ready! I’m excited to show you what I can do. I'm ready to give this test everything I've got. Thank you, Sensei. I will be ready. hehe comment cupcake if you read it all
