Success Story

[monkeygirl]

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community.

 

This "article" is really a short essay that I wrote for Creative Writing class. The assignment was to write about a success story in your life. I could have gone into more detail, but that would ruin the whole "short essay" idea.

 

The month before I turned 13, I did what my old-fashioned community would consider wild and crazy thing. I joined a karate school. I was skeptical at first, but my brother and his best friend were doing it, so my father and I decided to try, too. Besides which, my best friend was a student. After my first night, I fell in love with the art (Tae Kwon Do, I soon learned Karate was just used as a generic term), and have missed very few classes since.

 

As the months progressed, my brother, father and I progressed through the ranks. In my second month of training, I went to Thunder in the Valley, my first-ever tournament, and took first place in kata! I was so excited, especially since I had competed against higher ranks.

 

A year went by; another successful tournament went by and I was now a blue belt. My father had to quit because of arthritis in his toes and I had to go into physical therapy for a problem with my hips (unrelated to training). Times seemed as though they could take a turn for the worst, but instead they got better; I was promoted to my dojo’s Leadership Team.

 

Not long after, I was promoted to the Demonstration Team, then a higher level of the Leadership Team, until I finally achieved my current rank of Assistant Instructor. I also competed in many tournaments, winning First Place in nearly all of them.

 

Along the way there were mishaps; a large controversy between two black belt instructors (one of them my best friend’s brother) and two red belts resulting in their discharge, my best friend leaving shortly afterwards, and my role in causing her brother to lose his black belt.

 

Though I was slightly discouraged, my family and new friends encouraged me, and I pressed on. Overcoming physical difficulties and mental battles and tests, my day finally came. Over a year since my best friend quit, my brother and I, along with 5 other people, tested for our black belts. The test was the first of its format; a weeklong, 3-part test.

 

On Monday, we did line drills such as blocking and kicking, and what we call the Mega-Kata, which is all 9 katas combined into one, long form. On Wednesday, we ran 3 miles before the test, followed by self-defense and finally sparring. This was the most brutal part of the test. I almost didn’t make it through! At one point I was backed into a wall, while a 6-foot tall, 4th Degree Black Belt beat the stuffing out of me. Somehow, I remained conscious, probably holding onto the knowledge that life would never be that brutal again. I qualified for Saturday’s testing. On Saturday, the final part of the test, we did Monday and Wednesday’s testing all over again. This time, however, it was just for show for an audience of family and friends. After one last beating (which I wasn’t even supposed to receive), the test was finally over. Regardless of whether or not I had passed, I was relieved that it was over. Of course, I wanted to pass and hoped dearly that I would, as I didn’t want to have to test again. But at that point, I was simply glad to have done my best and still be in one piece.

 

I waited in agony, as my fellow testers were called up, one-by-one. So far, each had passed, including my brother. Finally, my name was called. My instructor gave the command to bow, and I did. He shook my hand and said the words I had waited so long to hear: Congratulations Tammy, 1st Degree Black Belt. All of my tension and stress let loose and I began to cry. I felt like a dork, but I cried. All seven of us had passed, with flying colors. Each of us had our doubts, but each of us managed to dig deep and shine like never before.

 

To date, achieving my black belt has been my greatest achievement and success. Like any success story, there were many stumbling blocks along my way. But with the love and support of my family and friends, and the incredible training from my incredible instructor, I overcame the hurdles. To all those who have doubted me, I have shown them my true power and potential. No matter what anyone says, or how much they think I should feel otherwise, I am a 1st Degree Black Belt and proud.

[Patrick]

Thank you for the submission.

[monkeygirl]

Interestingly enough, I wrote another success story for English class this year, using the same subject. However, my take on the issue is very different from this article, and rather bitter in comparison. I'm going to submit it as an article.

[jeffrogers]

Very interesting article.

[supergroup7]

Thank you for sharing a part of yourself with us.

 

After training in the Art for awhile, I've learned to appreciate the amount of inner dedication that it takes to go to class, and face the training it takes to get up to the point where you can test for black.

 

Way to go!

[Rotten Head Fok]

Great Story !

[Guest]

enjoyed reading that!!

[Coco]

Congratulations! That story was fantastic!

[longarm25]

Very nice article

[Ace2021]

well written, and very influencial.