“Your goal is to become a Black Belt” is the banner you see every time you enter Coronado Training Center. Months of physical training, running, push-ups and sit ups. Board breaks with various kick and punch variations. Requirements to memorize and demonstrate complex martial art forms for each belt level. Hours of multiple sparring rounds. This, and 4-5 years of hard work, led to a successful Junior Black Belt testing in Tae Kwon Do at the Coronado Training Center on Saturday, Oct 24th.
Grace Morgan, Grayson Clapperton, and Evan Thoms, all students at Village Elementary and Middle School, gathered in front of Master Black Belt Dan Boyle and other judges for the two and 1/2 hour testing. They all submitted essays to summarize the meaning of their black belt journey. Grace spoke about learning to persevere – never quit, and developing close friendships. Grayson talked about the importance of family in his personal growth and maintaining an indomitable spirit. Evan described how he learned to bring a laser focus to his goals and how to balance his Tae Kwon Do training with his numerous other school, sport, and family commitments. The students then immediately went into the assessment to perform all of the necessary requirements with corresponding Korean terminology as set forth by the World Tae Kwon Do Federation in Seoul, South Korea.
They warmed up with over 600 punches and 100 kicks and then demonstrated basic striking, kicking, blocking, and self-defense techniques. Then they executed the forms or “poomsae” they had learned for all previous Tae Kwon Do belt levels. This was followed by the complex Black Belt poomsae and a form that each had to choreograph for themselves. Then – it is Board Break time! They each executed multiple board breaks with various kicks – and then the big tile break. This thick tile would challenge any grown man with a sledge hammer, but with years of training and focus, each candidate reared back and thrust their hand through the tile in one strike like it was “slicing butter!” After a deep breath of relief and a thunderous applause from the audience – they donned their personal protection equipment for the final test. Each candidate was graded in sparring technique and strikes, which included defending themselves from two assaulters at one time. With a few bumps and bruises, sweat flowing from their foreheads – Grace Morgan, Grayson Clapperton and Evan Thoms realized they were close to completion of this challenging goal.
With testing complete, they conducted class closing procedures which have been passed down and standardized for over 2,000 years of TaeKwonDo training. Prepared for celebration, each student stressed this was the beginning of their Martial Arts journey – and they looked forward to training and supporting other youth that are participating in Tae Kwon Do. All students and parents have the utmost respect and praise for Master Black Belt/Chief Instructor Dan Boyle at Coronado Training Center. Dan has top level training in Baseball, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai Kickboxing, and Boxing. His training regimen is based on discipline and respect, but also he also realizes that training should be enjoyable as well as rewarding.
Submitted by: C. R. Morgan
