A True Black Belt

A True Black Belt

Michael Felix
A True Black Belt

Perseverance and indomitable spirit, the two things that mean more to a martial artist than anything else. I personally, had these two words beaten into me a few months back at my black belt testing. The one true moment where every drop of sweat and blood you put into your training matters. A graduation into the world of tougher trials and infinite experience. This day would be the pinnacle of my martial arts career, and as that time approached, I lay in bed completely stricken with terror unable to sleep.

That’s gracious day started just like any other Saturday. I woke up to the delicious smell of pork and fresh fruit in my nostrils. My mother, being the worry wart that she is, made me an enormous breakfast of gargantuan proportion to make sure I would have all the energy I needed for that day. But, as I sat at the table and guzzled down my juice, my mother started conversing about my ensuing date with destiny. I lost my appetite, so I left the delicious spread and went to my room to get dressed. Shortly after, we were on our way to the martial arts school, the location where my Test into the upper ranks would take place. As we approached the school my heart seemed to be beating faster, but not in fear, this time it was in excitement. I was ready.

“Stretch as much as you can, practice your forms and drink lots of water!” These were the words that came from my young instructor’s mouth right before our testing. And before I knew it, we were paying respect to or judges and instructors, ready to begin. I sat on the sidelines watching the younger, less experienced kids of lower rank go before me, waiting for my chance to shine and show everyone out there what I could do. Shortly after the little ones were through, it was my turn. I walked up to the judges breathing heavily, anxious and ready to show them that I was ready to hold that title as an elite...

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