I Am Now a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Taekwon-Do!

It was a long, grueling two hours today! Testing for black belts was myself (going for a 3rd Dan promotion) and Danielle (going for her 1st Degree Black Belt), so it was the test of the Danielles! Danielle is now 13 and she started Takewon-Do at age 8, and at that time while I was still teaching, she was actually one of my students. So, today I was so proud and happy to be standing next to her testing. Since the testing was just the two of us the head instructor of Almonte Taekwon-Do definitely put us through our paces with little rest time in between!

I've got a lot of pictures to share with you of the whole process. Todd was fantastic and played camera man for me today, however because he was in my self-defense skit there's no pictures of that portion of the test. Also he didn't take any pictures of the pattern portion, which was a good thing, since I had several brain farts and had trouble with the diagram on two of my patterns... which I put down to nerves!

Here's Danielle and I prior to the test, all nervous smiles but happy to be finally getting this done and over with!

Getting my head shot done for my Black Belt Status Card which will come from Vienna along with my Certificate (I.T.F. HQ) in a few months.

Bowing in to start the testing


Kicks on the shields and paddles (Jason my good TKD buddy for YEARS was holding for me)


Step and model sparring with Paige, she's like a little sister to me, we have too much fun in class together!

Don't 'ya just love the expression on Paige's face when I used a finger tip thrust to the armpit! Priceless! That one should go in the yearbook... she goes to the school I work at.

Here I am annihilating the poor girl!

Here's Danielle doing her 1 step sparring with Amber, lucky girl for colour belts its all scripted for you. For black belts you're making them up (I had to make up 9 one steps, 5 model sparrings). Fingers crossed if Amber works hard she'll be going for her 1st Degree Black Belt at the beginning of the summer.

Danielle performing self defense on Richard (he's testing for his Red Belt next weekend!)

Next it was onto the free sparring, first I was up against Paige, who rocks at sparring! I sware this girl has no fear and kicks my butt every time (this is my least favourite part of TKD).

I can assure you we never leave the ring angry! There were lots of hugs today!!!

Danielle got to beat up on Bob!

Once again I got my butt kicked, this time by Jason who also rocks the sparring ring!

Then came the multiple opponents! Here's Danielle against Richard and Paige

I got to play with Richard and Bob

But since I'm testing for 3rd Degree things have to get a little harder, and Jason was also thrown into the mix... oh wait that's me being thrown!

This was my special break, four targets in the air, I only took out two.

This is what your hand looks like when you don't hit with the right knuckles! (yes that's my stitching hand)

Here's how not to break 3 boards with a downwards knifehand strike.

This is what your hand will look like afterwards (my stitching hand as well! Who cares about work or anything else, its all about the stitching!)

Two boards 360 reverse side kick

Danielle Jumping over Amber and breaking a board.

Patiently awaiting our comments and results!

Promoted! To 3rd Degree Black Belt, the head instructor putting on my new belt.

My new belt! My 2nd Dan belt was finally broken in... now I've got to soften this one up, but I'm not really complaining!

Danielle was also promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt, I'm very proud of her

Like I said lots of hugs!

Roses and hugs from our Moms (I was so happy to have both my parents and Todd's parents there today)!

The whole Almonte TKD crew who came out to help/watch! Special thanks to Todd, Peter, and Jason for help with my Self Defense skit and Paige for being me Yuki!

Pictures with our head instructor

Can't you tell we're happy??!!!

Our after picture! Can you see the relief in our eyes?

After the testing Danielle's parents had a nice little get together for anyone who wanted to come over, delicious pizza and this great cake form DQ... notice it has Danielle2 (squared) on it? How cute!

I'm tired and feeling slightly battered and now that I've got this out here in cyber space... I'm off for a long deserved nap!