Author: admin

Being a black belt means to me that I have gone through very hard challenges. I had to do push ups, sit-ups, burpees, and many more self defense techniques to get to the level of the black belt. Also being a black belt means to me that I have gotten stronger and stronger throughout the years.
Being a black belt means to me that I have
become stronger in using my brain. It means that I have better knowledge and better reflexes. I could have better reflexives
because from the self defense techniques I have to act quick. also from sparing I need to now how to block or else I could get kicked or punched in the face.

Also it means to me that it will help me in the future. It could help me in the future because since I know karate it could give me confidence, because I know how to act quick and if I did get in a fight I would be able to win. Karate has given me the self discipline to work hard for the five years I have been doing karate. Also it has give me the courage to face my test and my tournaments. It has also taught me the ability to be honest to my friends and family and to everybody I know.

It also means that I am very proud of myself. I am proud because I have stuck with karate for many years and I never gave up. Sports just go every season but karate never stops. When I was a white belt I thought I could never get this high. It has been a long road to get to this stage and I never stopped.
My black belt represents the people I have meet on my journey. My other fellow students all share my love of karate and my senseis are the people I look up to. Someday I would like to assist in teaching karate or evening being the leader of the class.

It was fun to meet all the senseis in the dojo and senseis from other dojos. It was also fun to meet the other students and get to know them. It also means that now I have more friends to hang out with and I get to know more people.

Also I have learn to use the bo staff so I can defend myself. That means If I ever get into a situation I could find something shaped like a staff and use that. Also with the weapons, I get to perform with the demo team and that is very fun. Also when I travel to color belt tournaments I always do my katas and that makes it even more fun.
Being a black black also means that I still have a long journey ahead and I will not give up now. I still have more katas to learn like short 1, short 2, long 1, and long 2. Also I still have many more bo staff tricks to learn. I have way more self defense techniques to learn, some that I don’t even know exist.

That what it means to be a black belt to me.

Becoming a black belt has involved many different learning experiences along the way, and being one has led to even more learning. Once I became a black belt, I started to learn why we did the stuff we do, I learned how to teach better, and especially how to control my power. Learning is one of the most important things to remember how to do as a black belt, because even when you’re good at something, there is always something more to learn, and get better at. Learning when you’re younger is just repeating what you are told. I have learned how to get the kids to understand what they are learning. Learning how to teach the material, is the best way to ensure that you yourself know what it is that you are learning. When I would do things as a jr. black belt, I would just be doing the kata, or the technique. But as I have learned when doing katas such as Short 3 and Mass Attacks, I would do the techniques that the kata is made up out of, which made learning the kata much easier.

I was always much bigger than other kids in my classes, and I always could hit hard, so as I got even bigger, I needed to learn how to hold back my power. As before, myself being a jr. black belt, I really thought that I was controlling my power, but after my second black belt I realized that I did not know my own power very well, and what I needed to do. Especially in sparring, I have since become much better at controlling myself. My skill has increased  since my last black belt test and belt, which is how I have learned to have much more control.

Since my Jr. Black Belt, I was a teacher as soon as I got it, but after I moved to the adult class, I have learned the correct ways to teach kids there. I knew before what was good teaching technique, but now I have learned what works for me, which is being demonstrative and showing the kata or technique to the kids that I am teaching. Even though COVID messed-up my plans and my ability to teach,  ever since I have been able to go back, I have not been able to teach, but even though I have not been able to, I have learned a lot about how I teach.

Getting my black belt has been a journey and I have learned along the way. I have learned about myself, and others. I have learned how to learn, because before I would just repeat what I was taught; since getting my black belts, I have learned how to understand what I have learned. Another very important thing that I have learned was how to control  my power whenever I was  sparring and when working with other people, and especially when I was sparring. I have also learned how to become a better teacher, and what I like to do when teaching. Becoming a black belt has taught me much and has been a great journey.

I have learned many things since receiving my Amerikick Black Belt. Some of them I learned right away and others it took me years to realize. These things include the importance of confidence, responsibility, and the joy that I get from helping out.

The first thing that I have learned since receiving my Black Belt is the importance of confidence. This first really started when I joined adult class with Sensei John. He always is pushing you to be the best version of yourself that you can be. Part of that is having the confidence to do anything. Another way that he has shown me the importance of confidence is reminding me that messing up is fine. He reminds you that you are in an environment to learn, so this is the place to mess up. It really does not matter if you mess up because if you did not mess up then why are you here.

Another thing that I have learned is that learning never stops. Every class I should be able to learn something new about the curriculum. In my previous essay I wrote about how I knew that receiving my black belt was not the end, but I did not understand the level that I would be learning would be the same as before. A question that Sensei John always asks is “Did you learn something new?” The answer is always yes.

The third thing that I learned since receiving my Black Belt is responsibility. As I grow older my parents can not organize all of my events and things that I need to get done. I have to be able to do all of that on my own. I have to be able to figure out when I am going to classes and when I am helping out. I also have to make sure that everyone understands when I am going. Lastly I have to make sure that I have someone who is able to drive me. If not one of my parents then I have to call a different family member to see if they are able to drive me.

The next thing I learned is about perseverance and determination. This is about pushing myself to go to class and to practice even if I do not want to. Even if I am so tired and do not want to practice my katas I still should because it will make me that much better. I should also practice the same way as I would when I am not tired. This also factors into how much do I want the thing that I am working towards and I have learned that the answer should be I want it more than anything else. If I do not, why am I doing it.

The last thing that I learned since receiving my Black Belt is that I have a joy for teaching and helping with children. I always had an idea that I would want to be a teacher, but I never really knew until I started helping out. Through helping out I have now learned that I want to become a teacher. Helping out also ties back to responsibility. I have to be at the dojo when I say that I can be, and if I can not be then I have to inform Sensei Sherry of that I can not be there.

I have learned so many different things since receiving my Amerikick Black Belt. Some things I learned include learning never stops and perseverance.

Since becoming a Jr Black Belt I’ve learned to stay motivated even with Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is an auto-immune disease that affects my intestines. Often times it leaves me fatigued, weak, and in severe pain. I have to take many medications to control the flare ups which made my spleen enlarged right before I was supposed to test in June 2019. I had to put martial arts on hold due to my medical complications. I was able to restart karate in November, after an 8 month break. During my time off I continued to practice katas and self defense techniques in the air. I stayed motivated and now I am back and going to test and get my Sr black belt. Since restarting I’ve sparred, done self-defense, katas, and I’ve participated in the black belt demo team. I’ve overcome many obstacles since returning, fighting through pain and two hospitalizations but still demonstrating that indomitable spirit that is a characteristic of a black belt.  I would be doing none of that if it was not for staying motivated and determined. I have had lots of help and support from my AmeriKick North Penn senseis, friends, and family. Because everyone was so supportive, it taught me to be supportive.  I cheer on my classmates and encourage the younger belts to keep trying. I will volunteer to demonstrate a move in class to assist others with the techniques.  I always try to do what’s best even when no one is watching. I have more responsibility at home, I do more chores and help when needed. I even have to watch my little brother at times and if you know Michael you know how difficult this can be. I really have to demonstrate self control and patience when dealing with him. Since coming back I noticed that I am not as fit as I was. I struggle with push ups and keeping my energy up. I know I have to keep pushing through and trying/giving my best effort. Once I receive my Sr Black belt, I plan on doing the adult classes to further my knowledge in kenpo and self defense. Hopefully Sensei John and Sensei Sherry will allow me to help instruct the younger belts because I feel like I am a great role model. I want to continue to build my character and strive for excellence. I applied my focus and self discipline to my school work. I received Distinguished honors for all four semesters. I really had to show self motivation and integrity to complete my school work on time, especially during the Covid distance learning.