A few of us are going to a tournament near the last part of April. This may well mark my last taekwondo tournament. I plan to compete in weapons and breaking. Then come mid-May I have the Cho Dan confirmation test. So from here until mid-May I’m cranking up the training one last time.
The last month I’ve cut back on training and focused mostly on forms and teaching. Doing this has greatly improved Mr. Hip. But from here on out I have to start working on the nunchuka kata every time I train at home. In fact, I may start sleeping with those darn chuks. I’m also going to hit all of the fundamentals at least twice per week from home and the same goes for the forms. I am also reviewing the one-steps and self-defense steps at home but there is only so much you can do without a partner. Back at school I am now reviewing some of these every class with any available partner.
Sparring I got down. Though I don’t plan to spar at the tournament I know I can demonstrate that at the test without a problem. So, as far as this tournament goes, I’ve got nothing to prove by sparring. In fact, getting hurt would be stupid. So I’m taking the safe route here. As for breaking; well, I’m pretty good at that and know my limitations.
One other requirement that I have to complete for the final test is a portfolio. I have a portfolio and kept it updated religiously until last September. For 1st Dan (aka 1st degree black belt) we are required to have a minimum of two years and 288 hours of training time. In September 2007 I hit 280 hours and subsequently stopped updating the portfolio. So in the next few weeks I need to update the portfolio. Due to injuries (both mine and my instructor’s) my training got slightly side-tracked.
I do have to admit that it’s nice to look back at the portfolio and see that my “date entered” is September 2005. So, assuming I pass in May I’ll be four months shy of three years to “officially” achieve black belt. I have no idea how many hours I have in but for sure it’s way past 300. Though the school black belt was an accomplishment I’ll be happy to hang that belt up and replace it with the pretty one that has all the gold lettering.
Time to stretch!
~BCP
