Lupin1 Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 (edited) I've been a 1st kyu for about a year and eight months now. I've been working hard the past few months to learn the list of 32 kata, drills, and history recitations my instructor gave me for my black belt test.I got really excited last Thursday when he told me that when we got back from our two week holiday break, they would be setting a date for my test.I started really cracking down on clearing up everything I had questions on. I sent my instructor at least a dozen e-mails over the weekend asking questions. I completed my "black belt test study guide" with my research on the history of all the kata and the write ups of the techniques and the history of Isshinryu and Okinawan Karate and my thoughts on the meanings of Shimabuku's Code of Karate. I even made flash cards and started memorizing it all. I drilled my basics, kata, and partner drills.Today I went into class and they told me I was going to go through everything with the black belt instructors to see what I still needed work on. My instructor even video taped me (I thought so I could see what I needed to fix for my test). I was making mental notes of every mistake I made so I could prepare to fix it. It was pretty exhausting and intense, but I knew it'd help me in the long run.Then the end of class came. My instructor pulled out a brand new black belt and handed it to me.Just like that, I'm a Shodan.how happy I am-- http://imgur.com/XyoUN9wme with my head instructor Victor Smith, 8th Dan- http://imgur.com/uA47PgNme with our two sixth Dan instructors, Young Lee and Mike Cassidy-- http://imgur.com/Dz78MiNIt's been a long journey-- http://imgur.com/n2LTMMqEdit-- Added a few pics Edited December 17, 2015 by Lupin1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sensei8 Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Congrats on earning your Shodan, Devin; well deserved!!I enjoyed the pictures, Devin; thanks for sharing them; looks GREAT!!Bad Sensei for lying to you, but such a nice lie!!What a Christmas present!! **Proof is on the floor!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulltahr Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Great surprise at the end!!!! Congratulations, a lifetime memory for sure!! "We don't have any money, so we will have to think" - Ernest Rutherford Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammer Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Congratulations!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
126barnes Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Congrats. Barnes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWx Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 (edited) Congrats Devin, hard work paid off Edited December 18, 2015 by DWx "Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." ~ Confucius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallgeese Posted December 17, 2015 Share Posted December 17, 2015 Congratulations! Well done! http://alphajiujitsu.com/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJhRVuwbm__LwXPvFMReMww Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nidan Melbourne Posted December 17, 2015 Share Posted December 17, 2015 Congrats on being promoted to Shodan That was sneaky sneaky by your sensei to do that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lupin1 Posted December 17, 2015 Author Share Posted December 17, 2015 Added a few pics with my instructors. Thanks for the congrats, everyone. Heading off to my first class as a black belt in about half an hour. Beyond excited! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Posted December 17, 2015 Share Posted December 17, 2015 Devin!!! That is awesome. Congrats. So happy for you.What was your reaction like? Patrick Patrick O'Keefe - KarateForums.com AdministratorHave a suggestion or a bit of feedback relating to KarateForums.com? Please contact me!KarateForums.com Articles - KarateForums.com Awards - Member of the Month - User Guidelines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now