Last week on December 14th I had my first belt test. The belt test was for a white belt - which is the first step through the belts. We had 15 minutes of warming up, with 15 minutes of form and one step sparing, and then 15 minutes of braking boards. The judges were Grand Master Kang (9th degree), and a 7th degree black belt lady that travelled from New York (GM Erica Linthorst). After the test, they provided the new belt, certificate and trophy to each person that passed the test. Their focus was energy and power and mentioned it several times. Here a few pictures: Afterwards they celebrated with pizza - but since I was to be at prayer meeting, I took off immediately after the belt test. Hopefully my test belt test will be in February.
I was reminded by my TKD master of the pressure of competition, and that as you compete more and more you are able to deal better with the pressure. While this is true, there are hacks that may help you from choking under pressure. Don't just practice under optimal environments. Practice, under pressure, and various pressures before competition. 1. Why wait - if you can create a pressured situation in which is expose yourself to stress before the competition, then do it. This may include - asking for your teachers or students to review your form and asking for criticisms. You may want to do a form next to someone else that is doing a different form. Don't limit your audience, practice your form in public before friends, family, or even strangers. Asking someone to blow an Air Horn while you are doing the form. 2. Practice the forum with closed eyes (utili...
This evening, I successfully tested for my Bo-Dan belt (half black, half red). Bo-Dan are the ranks preceding black belt. If all goes well (DV), I’ll start the series of black belt tests in 2025. In the picture with me is Master Nam, for which I owe great respect and appreciation.
Comments
Post a Comment