When I decided to submit my
application for the Black Belt test I did not really feel I was ready, but
you always feel that you could be more prepared for a belt test. I think
that once in 10 years of taking a test for the next kyu did I feel like I
was ready on the test day. To make it to first kyu and then go for Shodan
testing is in itself a great accomplishment. I have seen may people join
Kyokushin only to leave after a few months. Completing the testing
requirements started by Sosai Mas Oyama you can't help but feel proud of the
grueling hours of training and the spirit of perseverance you develop in
yourself.
The application process starts
in January with submission of forms for dan grading. Next is winter camp
and a written test followed by a technical test a few months later which is
the hardest and most stressful part of the process. The Kata test at Summer
Camp in August was the most relaxed part of the dan grading process for me.
I think the other brown belts that were taking the testing also felt this
way as we seem to do better than the black belts testing for higher kyu's.
I know that I had spent a lot of time making sure I knew about 30 different
Kata that I needed for the test.
On the second last day of Summer
Camp the last section of the dan candidate testing remained the 10-Man
Kumite. Ten years of training, the last year making sure I had all the items
needed to apply for the dan grading process coming to fruition. Ten fights
with ten fresh opponents and you have to be standing at the end. Before the
fights started I tried not to get to wound up knowing that if I was too
excited it would be hard to control my breathing. Around the seventh fight
I got a second wind and felt the fight went well. Being over thirty-five
you do not have to do the10-Man Kumite but for me I could not see the point
of 10 years of training if you were not going to challenge yourself to
complete the whole processes. It is hard to express the emotions felt at
the completion of the final fight but it would not have been possible to
experience without the support of the Kyokushin members I train with at
Killarney dojo, Tats sensei and my wife Kaori, and I'm truly grateful to
the Canadian Kyokushin organization for giving me such a great opportunity.
Thank you all.
I have many good memories from 10 years of
training but the two Kyokushin related events that come to mind first are
not the happiest. I was in Japan in April of 1994 and went to Honbu dojo
with my senpai to see Kyokushin Karate's headquarters. Sadly I returned two
days later for Sosai's funeral. I had hoped to train with him at least once
but it was not to be. Returning from the Tokyo World Tournament in November
of 1995 Jason Schattenkirk and I just happen to be going back to Vancouver
on the same flight. Jason and I had also spent a few days together in Osaka
with Tats sensei and his family after the tournament. We stood in one of the
exit doorways for most of the ten-hour flight talking about everything. His
love and dedication to training is one of the things that have helped to
keep me motivated over the years since his passing in May of 1996.
My personal goals as a Kyokushin
Black Belt holder have not changed from that of a year ago. I still want to
continue improving all aspects of training in a Martial Art and I would one
day like to see a full-time dojo in Vancouver. The only addition to my
goals is I am even more motivated to helping my fellow Karate-ka prepare for
their next kyu or the Shodan testing.
Having received your Black Belt
a student, and you will always be a student, should know that this is not
the end goal. There is always more to learn and improve upon both in your
techniques and in yourself.
"one thousand days of
training, a beginner; ten thousand days of training a master."
- Sosai Mas Oyama
Starting day 1001. Osu.
