Strickland's Taekwondo
Discover the Champion Within!
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Why I want to be a black Belt: by AJ Weibye
When I was 3 years old, I found my sisters karate gear. I would wear it all the time and do punches and kicks with sound effects pretending I was a karate master. When I was 6 years old, my dad finally let me sign up for karate lessons. At the beginning, I thought it was pretty easy, but after a few weeks I started to realize that it was going to be harder than I had originally thought. I wasn’t very flexible and really struggled with “crunchy punchies”, push-ups and jumping jacks. After I was a green belt, I started taking a nunchuck class and when I tested I got my first patch. I really loved weapons classes and was able to get a chevron patch for nunchucks, a patch for eskrima sticks and one for the bow staff. Eskrima sticks were the hardest as I would get very tired and my hands would really hurt after practice. I was best at bow staff and I even competed in a regional tournament with it. As I ranked up, I wanted to do some tournaments. I did two regional tournaments where I received 5 metals (2 for forms, 2 for sparring and 1 for bow staff) and 1 national tournament where I got a silver medal in forms.
At first, I never wanted to get my black belt. I just wanted to have a purple belt like my sister. But the longer I was in it, the better I became at the things I originally thought were really hard. I wanted to do well in tournaments and learn to become better with my weapons. It has taken me 3 years to get to this point and I will be testing soon for my black belt. Over the years, I have learned and practiced tons of kicks, punches, blocks, and other moves that I never knew before. More important than that, I learned to be respectful, courteous, and to always do the right thing even when it isn’t the easy thing. (Mr. Strickland and Mr. Caine call this integrity). I also learned discipline and how to persevere when trying to learn certain forms and skills became difficult. There were many times that I just wanted to quit. Sometime I only went to class because my parents made me, but even on those days I always had fun and am so glad I kept with it. Working hard, I was able to finally learn the difficult forms and skills I thought were impossible. TaeKwonDo has taught me how to make my body strong and flexible and the importance of exercise and focus. It has also taught me to stand up for myself, my friends, and my family, but that I only use TaeKwonDo as a defense. Being a black belt means I have achieved something big and that I know whatever I take on in my life, I can have confidence that with enough focus and hard work, I will be able to finish it. It has been difficult and very challenging to stay with it at times, but I am glad I did and earning my black belt will be a great way to see that hard work pay off.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Alton Ganslen's "Why I Want To Be A Black Belt"
When I got further into Tae Kwon Do I set another goal of becoming an instructor after watching the instructors work with students. I thought it would be fun to do the same thing because I like helping other people. I have been doing Tae Kwon Do for almost three years and for two of them I was on the Demo Team. The Demo Team practiced every Sunday for 2 1/2 hours and after many months of hard work we would compete against other Demo Teams. The Teams I were on competed in Orange Beach, Alabama and Dallas. I will probably join the Demo Team again since I had a lot of fun but I am taking a year off to play football on my 7th grade team.
One of the other things I had fun doing during my black belt journey was traveling with my family and grandparents to different tournaments. I really like to compete against other people and work to get better each time I do. When I was with my grandparents they would plan many stops along the way for us to visit. Some of the things we visited when we went to Nationals in Orange Beach, Alabama, were the USS Alabama Battleship and the Vicksburg National Military Park. I also really enjoyed playing in the Gulf of Mexico even though the water was cold. It is a lot of fun traveling and seeing different parts of Texas when going to Regional tournaments and other states when going to Nationals.
I am also learning self-defense techniques and how to protect myself from others if I ever have to. Some of the techniques I have learned are cross
hand grab and the wedge which have different ways to do it. I also got my
patch in Raposa De Prata which is submission grappling or also called
ground fighting. I have also enjoyed weapons classes. Some of these
weapons I trained with are nun chucks, bo staff, escrima and the bamboo
sword seminars. Out of the four weapons I have worked with the nun
chucks are my favorite because you can do a lot of cool tricks and disarms
with them. I also really like doing bo staff.
All of these are the reasons why I want to be a black belt and also to continue learning Tae Kwon Do.
All of these are the reasons why I want to be a black belt and also to continue learning Tae Kwon Do.
Why I want to be a Black Belt: by Karlea Mitchell
There are multiple reasons why I want to become a black belt.One reason is because as I become a black belt, things will become more challenging.I also want to be able to test for chevrons. Another reason why I want to become a black belt is because when you are a black belt, you get to learn a whole new variety of things.The last reason that I want to become a black belt is because when I get my 1st degree black belt, I can hopefully start training to become an instructor.
When I become a black belt things will become
increasingly more difficult and I will face lots of new challenges. I am
looking forward to these new challenges because the harder the challenge, the
more accomplished I feel when I overcome it. Also, new challenges can be very
exciting. New challenges present new learning opportunities. Overcoming these
challenges is a way of measuring my success..
When I become a black belt, I can also start
testing for chevrons. I will get to learn tons of wrist releases. Hopefully I
get to learn some more ground fighting as well. They will also make me better
at the regular things we do in class because sometimes we do wrist releases in
class.
When I become a black belt, I will get to learn a
whole new variety of things that I have not ever seen or had the opportunity to
do before.These things will also be a lot more advanced which makes learning
them even more fun. The new things I learn as a black belt will also be more
useful to me in things like tournaments. I will also get to eventually pass my
newly found vast amount of knowledge down to others who are lower than me.
When I become a black belt I can hopefully start
training to be an instructor. This means I can enroll in the tiger team class
and learn the forms necessary for my first collar.Then once I have my first
collar, I can start teaching the younger belts to be the best they can be at
their belt rank.This will make them better in the future because if the younger
belts can comprehend and do everything they need to be able to do at their belt
rank then they can move on early and become more knowledgeable and become
advanced at their belt rank. When they become advanced this will make it easier
for them as they move up the belt ranks because they might already know how to
do some advanced things that aren’t complicated for them because they learned
those things early on. When I get my next collar I will get to teach a whole
new set of skills to a whole new group of people..
In conclusion,I want to become a black belt
because things will become more challenging, I will be able to test for
chevrons, I will get to learn a whole new variety of things, and I will
hopefully get to become an instructor. 3 years ago I came to Stricklands
Taekwondo to do one thing and that was to become a black belt. Now I am finally
a recommended black belt and it is time for me to get my First Degree Decided
and do all the other things that came after that.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Another Black Belt Essay: The Austin Wright Story
Mr. Austin Wright
Without a doubt, the black belt is one of the most revered
ranks in taekwondo. There are few people who don’t recognize its importance
within its respective martial art, but many of those who understand its
importance don’t fully comprehend its meaning. To be a black belt doesn’t mean
that a student of martial arts has completed a few steps and requirements. To
be a black belt doesn’t mean that one is an indestructible force of nature, and
can shatter any opposition with the flick of a hand. To be a black belt is to
not just be efficient in martial arts, but to be a well-rounded individual, and
to be well-practiced in taekwondo and its principles.
Black belts are meant to be an example to others, a
representation of taekwondo and its most respected members. One cannot be a
black belt without simultaneously being a teacher. A teacher of character,
confidence, and of course, taekwondo. Courtesy, integrity, perseverance,
self-control, and indomitable spirit are embodied within black belts. They
exude confidence in whatever they are pursuing. Hyper-awareness towards the
black belt’s own actions is crucial, as they are role models to not only other
students of taekwondo, but to those who do not practice martial arts as well.
If ever a situation arises, a black belt cannot be a silent bystander to
someone being wrongfully treated.
The black belt also represents growth as a person, and the
journey an individual has taken to make such an accomplishment. Every black
belt started as a white belt, and the progress they make through the belts is
more important than earning the belt itself. That is the primary purpose of
taekwondo. Not just for the art, or for the sport, but for the development of
spirit, and to become a better version of oneself. Many students of taekwondo
do not complete the journey from white to black belt, and for this reason,
black belts are looked up to. They have demonstrated steadfast perseverance in
achieving their rank, despite obstacles and hardships, both physically and
mentally.
Although it is the highest achievable belt color in
taekwondo, the black belt does not represent the end of martial arts training.
In fact, it represents the progression to another stage of training. There is
always more to learn, and black belts are those who are ready enough to learn
other martial arts outside of taekwondo. This is part of the well-roundedness
associated with black belts, and their ability to apply their teachings to any
situations. No black belt should be a poor teacher.
Being a black belt isn’t just being able to kick higher than
your peers, memorizing techniques, or being able to defend yourself. Being a
black belt is to know yourself, to be a representation of the fundamental
principles of taekwondo, and to learn more about martial arts as a whole, instead
of just taekwondo. In all, being a black belt can be summed up by seven words:
courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Why I want to be a black belt by Tony Patrick
By: Tony Patrick
I would like to be a black belt because I have work very
hard since I was 3 years old to learn Taekwondo. I have also
gone through some tough time in Taekwondo, for example not
passing a belt tasting. Another example me breaking boards for
the first time.
I would also like to be an instructor so I can help kids
like me get to learn Taekwondo. I would also like to learn forms
that I forgot over the pass years. Also, I would like to help
Maggy so she can focus and learn. I can judge at tournaments,
so I can be time keeper, score keeper and keep track of the
people that move on. I can also help kid practice to test for
chevrons.
I get to test for chevrons when I am a black belt. When
I am waiting to test for rank again, I can test for chevrons. I can
also learn more way to get away when bullies grab me. Also, I
can use my Raposa de Prata skills to test for chevrons.
Another reason I need a black belt, so I can open a new
school and to make money for needs and wants. Also to take
care of my grandma, grandpa, mom, dad, sister, and cousins.
Another example is that I need to make money so I can help my
cousins pay for food and water, also I can make money to pay
for a house. When somebody tries to steal my cousins stuff I
can help him get his stuff back.
Another reason I get to learn new forms and new
kicks. I get to learn how to teach kids how to do taekwondo. I
learn how to hold a board for people that are going to break it.
I will also learn how to show a kid their form. I will learn how to
break a board with a spin kick.
I would like to be a black belt because I can help my
friends if they get bully by someone. One time someone just
walked up to us and pushed my friend down. Then, I kicked
him. When he tried to punch me, I was able to dodge it.
When I become a black belt and become an instructor
I will keep a binder so when I get a job I can show them this. So
when somebody tries to rob the store. I can scare the robber
away.
A very important is how proud I made my family of
me and how they told me to do my best. Also, how they
encourage me to break boards for the first time, and how they
gave me tip for a tournament so I can win. Also, how some of
my teacher encourage me and my fellow classmates. Also, my
friends made me believe that I can do it. Last but not least, my
instructors help me get my black belt and always keep me
focused. That is why I want to be a black belt.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Lara Makkapati: Why I want to be a black belt
Black Belt and Its Importance in my Life
Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Lara Makkapati and I am 8 years old. I am writing this essay to express my joy and excitement about being one step closer to achieving my black belt in taekwondo, In 2013 when I was 4 years old, I wanted to learn something new and challenging. So my parents enrolled me in Strickland's Taekwondo. Like all parents they wanted me to learn from the best. So four years and 16 taekwondo belts later, I am so close to achieving my goal.
Practicing taekwondo helped me overcome fear and made me braver. It also taught me discipline, focus and respect. In the beginning, remembering the various forms was a big challenge. As I kept practicing the various forms again and again, it taught me how to learn new things. It also helped me stay focused at my education and at school. Sparring showed me how to defend myself and get rid of my fear. Mr. Cain along with Miss. Anderson made learning fun and helped me overcome my flaws. Being a black belt will help me learn lot more and also help me inspire and mentor other kids,
Along the way, I have had a few setbacks also, like not being able to do my form properly and not being able to break some boards. I never cried or though about quitting, but came back with more courage, energy and enthusiasm. I would like to thank my parents and master instructor Mr. Strickland for making it possible for me to become a black belt. I feel very proud that I am about to achieve my first degree black belt at only 8 years old and I will continue my pursuit for 80 more years to become strong and successful and learn more things. Becoming a first degree black belt, is just my first shining moment in my life and I hope to achieve much more.
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