Cho Dan

Black belt and black eye. Sorta. Thanks to the holidays my belt is on back-up order along with a bunch of other school gear. However, I did catch a round kick to the head and have a bit of a black eye. I guess I’ll have to wait until January to officially be presented the belt. Regardless, I passed the school black belt test. (at least one photo to come when I get it!) Now I just have to do a different version of this test in early 2008, this time in front of the masters.

Taking the day off before the test off helped me immensely. However, the night before I was worried enough that I woke up at 3 AM. It may be days or weeks before I read my instructor’s grading (I’m funny that way). It may be a while before I can look at the video too (won’t be ready ’til January anyhow). Regardless, here’s my self-assessment (and bear in mind I’m always WAY to hard on myself):

• Fundamentals - I’d give myself a B. They were rock solid but for the damn tornado kick. That one I butchered. The hooks were mediocre too. Add to this the fact that there is a difference kicking air versus kicking or punching a bag or shield. The former uses a whole different set of muscles and relies on a different type of control.
• Poomse - My weakest link and it could have gone really bad. It has before. It did at the 1st gup test and that experience caused me a lot of worry for this test. This time I was quite pleased with myself and this was probably the best I have ever done under pressure. Call this an A- and it’s the part of this test that I’m most proud of. Practically doing these forms in my sleep at home really helped. So did meditation and visualization (thank you Kung-fu sifu for the meditation and thank you Chuck Norris for promoting visualization in one of your books) .
• One-steps and self-defense - 22 each with only a few minor mistakes. Some of the mistakes were due to rust. I’d give myself a B+
• Breaking - Nailed the first two flawlessly. The lead leg standing jump side kick was PERFECT. Broke both boards and knocked the holders back. The inside crescent on two boards was also perfect. Practice DOES make perfect. The speed break, however, needs work! It took me three tries but I finally got it. It involved tossing one board in the air and snapping out with a jab (same hand) and breaking it. I probably did not practice this one enough at home to be honest with you. In fact, I spent so much time on poomse preparation that I thought my boxing/WC skills would pull me through. They did–sorta. (video maybe to come in Jan.) Call this a B+.
• Sparring - At this point what can I say? I have evolved from a charger to a counter-fighter and I’m happy about that. Past that, I’ve sparred against the schools’ students and my instructor long enough that we usually know what’s coming. This is especially true when I spar against my instructor. Probably another A-.
• Overall focus I’d score an A-. I had to keep my head in the game for almost two hours and do it under pressure. Simply put, that’s exhausting in another way and I’m glad that’s over. It’s also why I feel so damn tired but can’t sleep!

I think I was expecting some sort of epiphany moment, hidden knowledge coming down from heaven in a beam of light, etc. The fact of the matter is that this did not happen. I’m pleased but overall all I’m mentally drained and physically tired. I’m also sore but not as banged up as I thought I’d be. In fact, my brain is more tired and bruised than my body. There’s a lesson here but it may take me a while to figure out what exactly it is.

Coming from a profession that has a hallmark of being accurate, in addition to this blog, I keep a fairly meticulous training diary. Here’s some highlights from the last two+ years of TKD training:

• Minimum time/hours needed for Cho Dan: Two years/288 hours. I stopped counting back in August and am over 300 hours.
• TKD summary: I learned 11 poomse (two basic and nine Taeguek), 45 fundamentals ranging from basic to advanced, 22 one-step sparring techniques, and 22 self-defense techniques. I also picked up two nunchuka katas as extra credit.
• I set a goal of 1st dan by 40. Due to instructor injuries and my own injuries I got slightly side-tracked. It will have taken me 2.5 years by the time I complete the second test and become “official” (hopefully). Hey, I still did it while I was 40! I’m also not going to age without a fight. Period.
• Boards broken: 18 total for ranks 9th gup - 1st dan and counting practice and tournaments probably another 20 or so. And I still have one more test and maybe one more tourney to go!
• Weight loss: I went from 193 lbs to 170 lbs. This is the third best shape I’ve ever been in. In order from best to least are the Army, the Dept. of Corrections, & TKD.
• Improvements: Number one would be flexibility. I can almost do full side splits and when loose I can kick to the head level at 6′. When I started I could not kick past someone’s waist. Number two would be conditioning. TKD conditioning for sparring is not like running. I ran for 17 years and I can say that there is a big difference. Sparring uses more oxygen and it uses it much faster. At first it whooped my ass. Now I can usually hang with people half my age. Third would be confidence in relation to my age, fundamentals, and poomse. I’ve never been one to like the spotlight so poomse (especially at tourneys) are hard for me. However, it has gotten better. (breaking and sparring I love) Fourth would be changing from a charger in sparring to a counter fighter.
• Problem areas: Hook kicks in general though they are getting better. Combination kicking. It too is getting better. However, I mostly rely on counter fighting, charging, and fakes, rather than lots of combination kicks. I follow Bill Wallace’s advice: Keep it simple and master a few techniques well. It seems to work for me.
• I have had the opportunity to do more teaching than I ever anticipated and was also allowed to teach techniques I’ve learned elsewhere. This was very valuable in helping me to understand where TKD is strong and weak. Also, having to teach makes you re-learn techniques in a new way and I think it forces you to be a better martial artist overall.
• Focus - It’s a hell of a way to get it but TKD does a very good job of improving your focus under stress.
• Cool people met - Maybe half a dozen. The kinship that the martial arts creates is hard to capture in words (I’m too damn tired anyhow) but it’s there. I also respect my current instructor immensely and words can’t do her justice.
• Injuries in no particular order: Cracked ribs, dozens of bruises and contusions, torn up feet, jammed toes, having the wind knocked out of a me a few times, various strains, two black eyes, and a questionable right hip. The latter is the only thing I’m really concerned about at this point.

Well there you have it. I’ll close this post with a quote that sums up my greatest battle on the road to Cho Dan: Self-doubt.

Achieving a state devoid of doubt is the essence of martial arts.
-Kazumi Tabata

~BCP