I was promoted to Yon Kyu (Blue Belt) tonight

[Bill Mattocks]

Tonight, I was tested and passed. After five sparring matches, i was promoted to the rank of Yon Kyu or Blue Belt in Isshin-Ryu by my Sensei. In our system, Blue is under Brown and Black, above Green, Orange, and White. I am tired and sore and very humbled by the experience. Just wanted to share with you, my friends on Martial Talk.

Semper Fidelis,

Bill

[Carol]

Congratulations Bill!! Way to go!!

:-partyon:

[Gordon Nore]

Couldn't happen to a nicer fella. Any pics to share? At least post a couple of you in your new belt.

Rei

[Bill Mattocks]

Couldn't happen to a nicer fella. Any pics to share? At least post a couple of you in your new belt.

Rei

Domo arigato gozaimaste! Rei!

I have no pictures of the sparring or promotion; we're a small dojo and this was unexpected, as most of our promotions are. Three of us were promoted tonight. One young man, an immigrant from Russia, earned his green belt tonight, and two of us were promoted to blue belt. The other blue belt student was called at home tonight after class started by Sensei. The student's wife just delivered a bouncing baby boy and he was staying home with his family, but Sensei asked if he could just come in for a short while. We put our gear on, sparred, and were promoted, just like that. I had to spar one green belt and four black belts, and I frankly thought I looked like junk. No technique, very winded, hurt my ankle trying to block a kick with a kick. Sweating like a steam ship and huffing and puffing like a locomotive. Took a mae geri right to the solar plexus that nearly took me through the wall, but I got over it.

I'll try to get a photo of myself in the new belt soon. Right now, I'm eating dinner, about to call my wife, and listing heavily to starboard. I believe this is going to be a Motrin night!

[terryl965]

Congrats Bill

[Gordon Nore]

I'll try to get a photo of myself in the new belt soon. Right now, I'm eating dinner, about to call my wife, and listing heavily to starboard. I believe this is going to be a Motrin night!

I hear ya, brother. Some tests are like that. I sailed through my green and brown belt tests -- felt absolutely invincible. I remember during my brown belt, I got kicked square in the jaw, and it didn't rattle me. Another guy, much younger, better skilled, was out-sparring me, so I chased him into the corner of the gym.

All the others, well, someone managed to teach me humility somewhere along the line. By the end of my black belt test, I didn't know my own name. Had to lie down on the floor while my buddies stripped my pads off me and sensei gave me smelling salts.

[blink13]

Right now, I'm eating dinner, about to call my wife, and listing heavily to starboard. I believe this is going to be a Motrin night!

Arrgh, matey, slow your roll!

[J Ellis]

Congratulations!

[Aikicomp]

Well done Bill, If your test was that bad you would not have passed.

If your Instructors like me, he did not test you only on your performance for the test. When I test my students, I look at the whole picture from the beginning of the students training.

When I took my Iaido Shodan test, I forgot 1 kata and messed up on one more. Shihan still passed me due to the work he had seen me put in at seminars and from my instructors recomendations of my daily practice. It's not what you do then, per say, it's what you have done all throughout your time practicing.


Michael

[jks9199]

Congratulations, Bill.

[Kurai]

Congrats. We are always are own worst critics. If you feel you could have done better, strive for that. I think, given time you will understand why you were promoted.

Once again, congrats. :bangahead:

[dbell]

Congrats Bill! And looking forward to hearing about your Brown Belt!

[Bruno@MT]

Congratulations Bill. Well Done.

[seasoned]

Tonight, I was tested and passed. After five sparring matches, i was promoted to the rank of Yon Kyu or Blue Belt in Isshin-Ryu by my Sensei. In our system, Blue is under Brown and Black, above Green, Orange, and White. I am tired and sore and very humbled by the experience. Just wanted to share with you, my friends on Martial Talk.

Semper Fidelis,

Bill
Thanks for sharing, Bill. Congradulation on your test, and the input on your journey in Isshin-Ryu. :asian:

[Jade Tigress]

Awesome! Congratulations Bill!!!! :asian:

[punisher73]

Congrats!!!

[Drac]

Congrats Bill, well done...

[OnlyAnEgg]

Well done, Bill!

[Larry G. Bethers]

Congrats. Job well done!

Semper Fi and De Oppresso Liber.

Keep pushing and never quit for success is just beyond the point of quitting.

Larry G. Bethers

[Stac3y]

Yay, Bill! Congratulations!

[Andy Moynihan]

Yoku dekimashita. :asian:

[grydth]

If you feel half dead, this was a worthwhile test. Beware the ones where you walk off thinking "that was nothing".... later you will realize that, sadly, is exactly right.

If you feel you could be much better, then you have learned the greatest lessons from this test.

See - good guys do finish first sometimes.

[Tames D]

Good job! Congrats.

[MA-Caver]

Way To Go Bill! Keep to your journey. Best wishes for future belts!!

[Sandanchris]

Congrats!! Belt Tests are always "fun" and rewarding even for those who dont pass...It seems like each time the tests get "easier" because of previous experience. Just wait one day you will be helping to administer tests..now that is fun!!

Chris