Shodan

Here's a little background about the experience of post-testing for Shodan in Yoshukai karate.  Unlike with some arts, you don't hear the results of your test right away.  So, you have a few weeks to think it all through.  And, to be honest, if there's any way not to think about it and to keep training as usual in the interim, that's the best policy.

But, interestingly enough, I did expect to hear one way or the other before actual promotion happened.  In the WYKKO, official black belt promotions happen at the next major event after the test.  Winter Camp has the traditional tournament about 6 weeks later, Summer Camp has the Sunshine Classic tournament at the end of the summer, and the fall test has the Dothan tournament.  This year, due to a good friend's wedding, I'm not able to attend the Dothan tournament.  So, arrangements were made to perform the pending promotion in-house.

Here's where a little surprise came in.

So, I was expecting to hear one way or the other before the actual promotion.  At least, that's how I thought the process worked.  And, to answer some of your questions, I wasn't doubting that I passed, but I did operate under the assumption that I was just better to keep the outcome out of my brain space until I knew a clear answer.  To be honest, what happened just didn't occur to me as a possibility!

This past weekend marked the 3rd annual Athens Martial Arts Tournament.  Funnily enough, before the tournament bowed-in (formally began, that is), I fielded a lot of questions from friends in the dojo and in other area schools regarding the results of my shodan test, which I still hadn't heard.  After the initial bow-in, my friend Sam Cook was called up to receive his promotion to 2nd dan in Tae Kwon Do, which I am really glad I got to see.

Then Sensei was called to the front of the room, and suddenly it happened.  Before I knew it, I was kneeling at the front of the group, performing a formal bow to Soke and removing my brown belt.  I had absolutely no idea that Saturday would be the day.  Although the event itself was quite special and moving to me, what made it more so was that I was able to promote in front of almost all of my instructors and pretty much every student who trains with me on a regular basis.  It couldn't have been more special to me than that.

So, now the old "where are you going to hear something" question has been replaced by a new one..."what now?"

Here's what now!  I'll continue training hard, just as before.  I'm finding that martial arts magnifies the results of hard work, and the extra training time I put into my shodan test has rewarded me with a great step forward in the quality of my work as well as the general condition of my body.

Also, now I have another series of tests to prepare for in the upcoming months.  As I've mentioned before, I am approaching the last few tests before black belt in Kyuki-do:  I have my black stripe test (first keup, which is the Korean equivalent of the Japanese term 'kyu'), and then I have 2 advancement tests and my black belt test.  It'll be a whirlwind period of learning, polishing, and preparation, and I'll be keeping you posted as it happens.  I've mentioned before that my major goals in prep for this test are to improve my speed and smoothness of technique, so expect to hear some of the fun things I try with that goal in mind.

But, for right now, I'm going to celebrate my promotion the best way I know how:  by going to more martial arts classes!

OSU!