Black Belt Grading 2011

Saturday 28 May 2011 was a massive day for Tae Kwon Do Ireland, 38 candidates were tested for their eligibility to attain the next level in Tae Kwon Do. 31 students graded for their First degree Black belt, 4 students were going for their second degree Black Belt and 3 candidates were grading for their Fourth degree black belt.

The Junior candidates were first to take to the floor and they were put through their paces and examined on their proficiency in the Patterns needed to attain the next level. This was a nervous start for all the students because the standard set is very high and precision, speed, control and proper technique are all being scrutinised by the panel of very experienced examiners. The Adult men and ladies were all put through the same test and it was a pleasure to watch the more intricate patterns for the higher grades being performed with such skill.

After the patterns the students were back on the floor to demonstrate their self defence techniques and also had to perform multiple attacks which involved many different kicks and hand strikes being performed correctly at high speed but with enough control that they didn’t actually make contact with their opponent. This was their opportunity to show their flexibility and to show case the wide range of different kicks and hand strikes that they had learned.

Things started to heat up when the students came onto the floor for the sparring section of the grading, with a black belt at stake there was no place for the faint hearted and the commitment and dedication could be seen in all the candidates. The object of sparring is to gain control over your opponent by blocking, kicking and striking with the hand. The first and second degree candidates all showed great control and poise in this section where no quarter was asked or given.  The experience of the candidates testing for their Fourth Degree black belt was very evident in this section and the spectators were mesmerised by the talent and precision of Mr Paul Manning, Mr Stephen Nyhan and Ms Jessica Nyhan.

After the Sparring the students were questioned on their knowledge of Tae Kwon Do and were then asked to perform a technique of destruction on a wooden board. The juniors had to break the board with a kicking technique and the adults were required to break a board with a kicking technique and a hand technique. It was amazing to see that the students still had something left in the tank after such a gruelling test and after some nervous moments for the parents of the juniors every candidate had broken a board and the grading was over.

It was a pleasure to be present at such a big occasion for the TKDI association and the hard work and dedication of students and their instructors was abundantly clear, all the candidates were successful in achieving their goal on the day as they had displayed perseverance, indomitable spirit, courtesy, integrity, self control and most of all their knowledge of the art of Tae Kwon Do. Congratulations to all the students and Thanks to all who helped to make the day such a success.

Gar Fleming