I am 9 years old and in the 4th grade. I already have two black belts. I got the first one in 2020 and the second in 2021. They are Dragon level belts but they are black and they count!!! I have been coming toThe Dojo for as long as I can remember. At first I was there to watch class while my brother was taking his karate class. When I was 3 and ½ years old I started taking classes myself. This means I have now been a martial arts student for more than half of my life. I started as a panther student and quickly moved up to dragons. Now it is time to conquer the Junior Black Belt. The Junior belt black means a lot to me because I have had to work extra hard this time around. (You don’t have to go to bootcamp as a Dragon student!) I have had to take a Pre Black belt test and go to ten weeks of bootcamp for this one. Bootcamp is really intense, super challenging, and starts very early in the morning. Each week is like a mini test that prepares you for the big test at the end of the ten weeks. During bootcamp I have improved my karate skills and learned that I can do really intense physical challenges and lots of karate. My favorite part of bootcamp is running on the trail and practicing board breaking for the actual Black Belt ceremony.

 

I really like to do karate because it’s just fun! Karate has taught me to protect myself and others when there is trouble. It has also taught me to keep myself in control. In the future I would like to earn my black belts and possibly teach karate. I want to teach karate so I can share my skills with other people. I think it’s important to learn how to protect yourself, your family and friends. Karate is not just about doing self protection moves. It teaches us to be nice, kind and respectful to everyone. Through karate I have improved my focus and learned to not be so nervous for things where a lot of people are watching like soccer games and karate tournaments.

 

My three favorite things about karate are sparring, board breaking and forms. Forms are my favorite thing to do in karate class. When I do forms I feel like I am preparing for a real fight with multiple bad guys. Thankfully I have never been in a real fight and had to use my karate skills.

 

When I get my Junior Black Belt it will bring me one step closer to the next rank. Getting to the next rank means more challenges and way more karate. I am ready. I love a good challenge and I love to learn new things. I am very much ready and looking forward to more martial arts and many many more Black Belts