black belt grading

[jiyaku-san]

does anyone have any stories/tips about their black belt grading?

[octopic]

First rule of black belt testing -- Don't talk about black belt testing

All I'll say about my first degree test -- Texas, August, Outside, 9 hours

[wyx]

Did mine in '91. Was going bad with basics, slippy floor and all that(so I thought), but I redeemed myself in the kumite.

I was up against this other guy going for his black belt too (there was 8 of us grading at the time). As soon as sensei (dave Hazard) said begin I feitned a sweep followed by a jodan mawashi geri, obviously I used the instep of my foot (not full contact), The slap from the kick on his cheek was so loud it echoed around the dojo! Ippon!!

We started again and i did exactly the same move! SLap! Ippon!! I felt really sorry for the guy I was fighting,his cheeks where looking pretty rosy:)

Anyway the guy I obliterated and myself where the only 2 who passed.

Sensei Hazard then said I should try and vary my technique a bit more but also commented on how well controlled I was.

To this day i dont think Ive ever pulled off such a good roundhouse!

[sweetpea0525]

Testing wasn't easy, i will say that much, but it does depend on how your school or style tests. At my school we tested from January through July and were promoted in August and we only tested with our head instructor, with all kinds of physical, mental and emotional challenges, while other schools have a long test over one day or several days and that may have a panel of high ranking Black Belts that will decide your fate. The only thing I can say is that you will only achieve it if it is something you truly desire to put yourself through, if not, you will not pass.

[granmasterchen]

it was brutal....(my old school style)

but many of the later styles that I ranked in were not nearly as brutal....