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Taekwondo Black Belt: My Journey

My journey to black belt

Yang, Y., & Kim, Y. (2016). The effect of Taekwondo training on physical and cognitive function in adolescents. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 12(5), 384-388. https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1632632.342
Park, S., & Kim, K. (2019). Effects of Taekwondo on Cognitive Function, Balance, and Quality of Life in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 27(4), 498-506. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2018-0221
Kim, H. S., Lee, Y. H., & Kim, M. H. (2018). The effects of Taekwondo training on physical fitness, body composition, and blood lipid profiles in adolescents. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 30(10), 1186-1190. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.30.1186
Lee, C. (2019). The influence of Taekwondo training on adolescent boys' emotional intelligence and aggression. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 43, 52-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.02.008
Smith, M. R., & Smoll, F. L. (2002). Self-esteem and children's reactions to youth sport coaching behaviors: A field study of self-enhancement processes. Developmental Psychology, 38(4), 565–572. https://doi.org/10.1037//0012-1649.38.4.565
Kim, Y., Park, S., & Kim, K. (2018). The effects of Taekwondo training on physical fitness, body composition, and mental health in children and adolescents: A systematic review. Journal of Sports Medicine, 9(3), 43-51. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojpm.2019.93004

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Category: Black Belt Candidate Essays

Black belt essay: what it is and what it takes by tyler.

Post author By admin
Post date November 25, 2016
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Here is a black belt essay from Tyler! Tyler is an adult provisional black belt candidate for 1st degree in taekwondo. In this essay, he talks about how different martial arts training was from his childhood ideals. He also talks about the importance of persevering in the face of his own limitations, and looking for the deeper meaning in his martial arts training–love it!

Check out Tyler’s black belt essay after the jump to find out what he really thinks it’s all about!

Tags black belt essay

Black Belt Essay: What It Is and What It Takes by Kassidi

Post date February 27, 2015
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Kassidi is a provisional black belt candidate for 1st degree. Here’s her black belt essay on what it means to be(come) a black belt. Through her training, Kassidi has learned how to be persistent. Her black belt essay reveals a little of what it’s taken for her to make the long journey to black belt.

Although she mentions making mistakes, tough times, & getting knocked down, she also emphasizes that black belts respond by getting back up and handling the negative with grace, self-control, and perseverance.

“Black Belt: What It Is and What It Takes” by Kassidi

“The black belt around my waist does not represent who I am. It represents who I can be.”

My journey to black belt was not an easy one.

Black Belt Essay: What It Is and What It Takes by Shawna

Post date January 8, 2015
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Shawna is a provisional black belt candidate for 1st degree. Here’s her black belt essay! I love how she talks about what a black belt DOES, how they interact with others and how they treat their own goals.

Kindness, awareness, respect, and persistence–check out Shawna’s essay after the jump to find out what she really thinks it means to be a black belt!!

Top Instructor Do’s and Don’ts from NWSMA Black Belts

Post date September 16, 2014
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A bit of introduction here: NWSMA holds a “black belts only” class once a month. We split the class time between practicing advanced material and talking about what it means to be a black belt and an instructor.

They are assigned a reading the week before class, and this month I gave them an excellent piece from Black Belt Magazine, titled, “ How Karate Sensei Can Avoid Mixed Messages in the Dojo. ”

Black Belt Essay: What It Is and What It Takes by Jasmine

Post date August 19, 2014
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Jasmine is a provisional black belt candidate for 1st degree. Here’s her black belt essay, which tells the story of how she got interested in martial arts and how much she’s grown since then.

Jasmine was 12 at the time she wrote this, but she makes some observations that are really quite mature (I’m sure this is not surprising to anyone who knows her and her family). I highlighted a few quotes that I really liked.

“Black Belt: What It Is and What It Takes” by Jasmine

Before I started Tae Kwon Do, I watched the movie “Kung Fu Panda” in a theater. I thought all the tricks and maneuvers the “Furious Five” and “Po” did in the movie were awesome, and I decided I wanted to do Kung Fu. At that point in my life, I was eight, so I also thought that ninja-like abilities were the thing to have.

After the initial inspiration, my parents found a 2-week deal at Trinity Martial Arts in Arlington. At the end of those “nuf”* two weeks, my siblings and I made the decision to stick with it, and later my dad joined too (mom stuck with her yoga). Chris Aprecio, the instructor, made it look like being a black belt meant you could do cool things.

It’s been a long time since then, but now I know that being a black belt doesn’t just mean to have a black belt and be athletic (and that becoming a black belt doesn’t make you a superhero).

Black Belt: What It Is and What It Takes by Nathan

Post date August 12, 2014
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Nathan is a provisional black belt candidate for 1st degree. Here’s his black belt essay, exploring what black belt means to him.

I really love this essay, and I love that Nathan is such a strong example for his kids and for other students in our school. I took the liberty of highlighting a couple quotes that really resonated with me. Enjoy!

“Black Belt: What It Is and What It Takes” by Nathan

The goal of reaching black belt has been no small task and one that NWSMA does not take lightly. For this, I am grateful. I feel to wear a black belt, it should mean something both to the wearer of the belt and to those around them. A black belt should never be a stop along one’s path in life, but rather a continuous road in itself, a life long attitude of learning, humility and challenge.

The training at NWSMA has been just this. It has been intense, focused and very, very fruitful to me personally. I have gained so much understanding, strength, and growth from my time with them both in the martial arts and outside it, that it’s hard to describe concisely all the benefits. However, what black belt truly means for me, now, is the same as what it meant to me when I started this journey about 5 years ago with my children. Black belt, to me, means family.

6 Things Black Belt Candidates Should Be Doing

Post date October 29, 2013
3 Comments on 6 Things Black Belt Candidates Should Be Doing

When I look at a black belt candidate–a high-ranked student who is getting close to black belt–I usually rely on a gut feeling to tell me whether or not they’re ready for black belt.

By black belt, I mean 1st degree. Provisional black belts are not yet black belts, they are on probation and have to prove themselves worthy of that rank. By “candidates” I mean everyone from brown belt to provisional black belt–people who aren’t yet there but are trying to get there.

The demo team bows after their performance.

Today, instead of relying on my gut, I want to try to articulate some of the things I’m looking for in black belt candidates: all brown, advanced brown, and provisional black belts.

Tags black belt , black belt candidate , black belt essay , karate , martial arts , poom belt , tae kwon do , taekwondo , tang soo do , what does it mean to be a black belt

Black Belt: What It Is and What It Takes by Caitlin

Post date July 6, 2013
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Caitlin (who is different from the site author) is a provisional black belt candidate for 1st degree. She and her younger sister have been with NWSMA for about a decade. Here is her essay about what it means to become a black belt!

“Black Belt: What It Is and What It Takes” by Caitlin

When you think of a black belt, what is it that you think of? Well if you’re like most people, you think of a black belt as someone who, obviously, wears a black belt and is good at martial arts. If you’ve watched movies with people like Bruce Lee in them, you even have a visual. These things all are parts of what a black belt does and wears, even what they can sometimes become, but not what they are.

Continue reading “Black Belt: What It Is and What It Takes by Caitlin”

Black Belt: What It Is and What It Takes by Andrew

Post date June 30, 2013
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Andrew is a provisional black belt candidate for 1st degree, but has also received his black belt in Arnis. Here is his essay on what it means to be a black belt!

“Black Belt: What It Is and What It Takes” by Andrew

I first went to Tae-Kwon-Do in September 2010. My parents took me there so I could get prepared for hockey. They wanted me to practice Tae-Kwon-Do so I could get prepared for hard hits and the roughness that hockey is known for. I did not know anything about Tae-Kwon-Do. The only martial arts, like Karate, I ever saw was from watching it on TV or at the movie. So when I started I loved the different forms and moves, and the fact I could protect myself. I also started to practice Arnis and loved the weapons forms, and stick manipulation. So I quit hockey and started practicing more Tae Kwon Do and Arnis.

A black belt to me is just not something that holds your pants up. It is a belt that shows you have respect, honor, courage, and integrity. All of these gave me strength to pursue and challenge my fears. Now I can face and conquer them.

I’m grateful for what I’ve learned. I thank all the people that have helped me get to where I am now.

Tae-Kwon-Do is now part of my life. It will always be in my heart. Tae-Kwon-Do has taught me to take on challenges like school work, chores my Mom and Dad give me, as well as everyday living and to face it head on and not fear it but accept it.

Being a black belt is hard, but it is great being one. It is great helping others. Other students give you respect for being a black belt. You also have to give them respect too. Always encourage others to keep going. Like I said being a black belt is hard, but it’s also great being one.

I have been in Tae-Kwon-Do for 2 to 3 years. There have been times I wanted to quit. It was so hard or because I hated it. The reason mostly was it was getting boring to me same exercises over and over, repetivness, not realizing I was honing my skills to become better, stronger and faster. Now that I have my provisional black belt, I just want to keep going.

What does it take to be a black belt? You need to have respect for others. You need to honor your family, friends, and others. But what does it really take? Never giving up, never quitting what you are doing. Most importantly all the other challenges life gives you.

I would like to thank Kio-Bi-Nim Chris Apprecio for teaching me what I need to do to be where I am now. I would like to thank my family and friends for encouraging me to keep going on. I would also like to thank other instructors passing what they have learned down to me, my instructors, and everyone else.

Black Belt: What It Is and What It Takes by Miya

Post date June 19, 2013
1 Comment on Black Belt: What It Is and What It Takes by Miya

I’ve mentioned before that we have all candidates for 1st degree write an essay, sharing their thoughts on what black belt means to them. Here is karate black belt candidate Miya’s essay–she’ll be testing this week, so encourage her if you see her in class!

“Black Belt: What it Is and What it Takes” b y Miya

When I first began training, I envisioned a black belt student as being some sort of super-human ninja with magical zen powers! I thought to myself, “There’s no way I could ever be that, it’s impossible.” However, as I trained and practice alongside these senior students, I began to see that you didn’t need to be a demigod to earn a black belt. I got to really know these students and discovered, they were just regular people. They had jobs and responsibilities outside the dojo, they got tired, and sad, and even mad from time to time. They also had regular problems that they had to deal with, just like you or me. They weren’t ninja master’s who spent every hour of everyday training in the mountains like I first thought they did. For the first time, a black belt actually seemed attainable.

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Tae Kwon Do Black Belt Essay

Kevin l. ryburn.

At nine years old, as a typical kid growing up in suburban Denver, I was exposed to martial arts like most kids, via movies and television. This primarily consisted of Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee movies: “Good Guys Wear Black”, “Lone Wolf McQuade”, “Enter the Dragon” and many others. My friends and I would have our parents drop us off at the local mall to eat fast food and watch one of these movies, as we fantasized about how great it would be do be able to do even a small portion of the things that our venerable heroes were able to do. Romantic notions and urban legends were spoken as fact about our hallowed gods.

However, unfortunately, I became sidetracked and didn’t pursue a martial arts career because we had other costumed heroes as well: the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Denver Nuggets and numerous others consumed our every waking thought. We went to school – which was considered a minor interruption in our athletic careers – to emulate these mythical figures on the playground. We played organized soccer, baseball, basketball and football with our friends. Tuesday and Thursday evenings were spent on the diamond, gridiron, and courts of the local schools improving our running, agility and shooting skills with the never-ending thought that one day soon, our inevitable path would lead us to athletic glory in the NBA, NHL, NFL or MLB. Actually, it was more than a dream; it was a foregone conclusion that we would one day play next to our heroes in professional sports; in other words, school was merely a distraction from our preparation for greatness.

Playing on recreational teams when you haven’t yet reached adolescence is quite a different matter from the ultra-cutthroat world associated with competitive sports teams in leagues and high school. What do you mean I have to “try-out” for the team? I was always the star of my team! This is about the time that reality hits you like a punch in the face. Hey! These other guys are good! Where did they come from? It is about this time that reality entered my life and I grasped the concept that I might not ever be a professional athlete (I now know that less than 1% of all student-athletes play professionally).

In high school, I played sports (soccer and football), but I was no longer the star of the team. I had officially been relegated to the unexceptional group of players that will never play beyond this threshold.

Anyway, I truly regret not pursuing martial arts as I know it would have helped me through some difficult situations in life. For example:

High school for me – as it likely is for most people – was a mixed bag of learning and preparing for college, meeting people, dating (or trying to), and being picked on. As a freshman, I was relatively small and there was one particular junior that seemed to take an unnatural interest in making my life miserable. His name was Jimmy and he was huge (and quite scary, to tell the truth). He would torment me in gym class, tackle me between classes in the hallways and drag me into the bathroom with the imminent threat of beating me up and countless other methods of menacing and intimidation. I spent my freshman and sophomore years terrified to walk down the halls and constantly checking to see if anyone was behind me. On one occasion, while playing in the gym during lunch, he actually showed up with a pair of handcuffs (yes, real police handcuffs), placed them on me and walked me out behind the gym. When he opened the door to the outside, there were at least seven (large, to me, at least), boys standing there. I stared in horror at these terrifying individuals unable to move as I was frozen in fear. “We’re going to kick your —!” I was unable to move; literally paralyzed with fright. They continued to stare at me, expecting to me do something (what exactly, I still don’t know to this day). I just stood there, unable to move, terrified beyond description.

After what seemed like hours (although it was probably more like a few minutes), these behemoths must have become bored with the whole situation, and they suddenly turned and left, calling me names as they did. Suddenly, it was just me and Jimmy, standing there staring at each other. Horrified at what might happen next, Jimmy suddenly turned and said, “You’re lucky, you little —–!” And with that, the entire episode was over, although it still haunts me to this day.

After attending college to study Civil Engineering, I started working as a Construction Engineer for the Colorado Department of Transportation in Denver. Being that construction is a testosterone-laden, masculine business as much as any other, there was quite a few instances of men attempting to physically intimidate me as a young (somewhat naïve) engineer of 23 years old. There were occasional slap-fights in construction offices, and I had more than one guy get right up in my face and stare me down – not only contractors, but coworkers as well – in an attempt to… Actually, I’m not quite sure to this day what they were trying to accomplish. Alpha-male psychology, I guess.

After participating in martial arts for the past three-plus years, I have really grown to love it. It combines everything I have been searching for my entire life: discipline and order, respect for elders (both age and rank), athletic ability, confidence and self-defense, all of which I could have used earlier in my life. So, my only regret is that I didn’t start doing this when I was nine when I was watching all of those Chuck Norris movies. I think I could have been a really great martial artist.

Now in my forties, with three kids and trying to keep them involved and allowing them to try new things, my daughter (Natalie) has tried baseball, swimming, dance, ballet, soccer, and several other activities, but she just couldn’t find the one that fit her personality. So, a few years ago, after she dropped-out of yet another activity, we were looking through the City of Lakewood activities book and my wife said to her, “Hey Natalie! Do you want to try Tae-Kwon-Do?” That was how it all began. Natalie went to a few months of classes (and so did I since I had to drive her) and then her questions started. “Dad? When are you going to do this with me?” I kept putting her off, thinking I’m too old, too out of shape, and any other excuse I could think of. The tipping point came when I finally realized that I have to sit through these classes (again, since I have to drive her), so I might as well do it to, since I’m going to be here anyway.

Since then, tae-kwon-do has, to put it simply, become part of our lives. We constantly talk about it. We are always discussing what happens in class, what might happen during the next class, our instructors, etc. Natalie and I both hate when we have to miss class for any reason. It has become woven into the fabric of our lives. It also has allowed me to do a tremendously fun activity with my daughter that we will share for the rest of our lives and to achieve the discipline, respect, and confidence that I have been searching for my entire life.

While I can’t say how long I will continue in tae kwon do, it is easy for me to say that I truly enjoy it and have no immediate plans to stop.

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What Taekwondo Means To Me

Written by Edison Chau

Taekwondo has been with me for 2 years and I have enjoyed every minute in class. I have learned many things in Taekwondo, not just kicks and punches but also self-discipline and perseverance. Taekwondo has helped me in both mind and body, making me stronger, more confident, giving me more work ethic and making me more serious with everything. When I first started Taekwondo I thought it was going to be just a fun thing to do but it became harder and more serious the higher belt I got. I expected the road to a black belt would be easy and trouble free but as I got higher up in the ranks I learned that was not the case, I have never worked so hard to try and achieve something before. Taekwondo has had a giant impact on my life, making me better in everything I do.

Before I started Taekwondo I always gave up, in school or at home I was always like that, until Taekwondo taught me the trait of perseverance and integrity. Taekwondo taught me I had to have perseverance, I had to never give up because if I did I would never reach a black belt. Taekwondo also taught me how to respect others and be respectful around them, no matter the situation. I believe that is the part of me that was missing, I would sometimes get mad and hate the person I respected most, and that made me disappointed in myself. I have Taekwondo to thank for teaching me those pieces I was missing.

Before I started Taekwondo I had average grades, a B and occasionally an A. after I started Taekwondo I learned to not give up and to always respect others so I began to get better and better at my school work. soon I got all A’s and was top of my class, it was the happiest I ever was in a while because my mom kept complimenting my good work. after a while I tested into a gifted and talented program and got in! this was all because of Taekwondo teaching me all I needed to know for life and my supportive teachers, from Taekwondo and from school.

Taekwondo also helped me physically, it made me stronger and more flexible. at first I was enrolled in Taekwondo because I needed to defend myself, but it became a lot more than that. it became a hobby, keeping me preoccupied and happy at the same time. it meant a lot to go to Taekwondo, it gave me a workout, it stimulated my mind, it kept me happy and I learned new things. it was like a wonderful bundle of things to do that I loved.

Taekwondo has made me understand the meaning of perseverance, courtesy, self-control, integrity and indomitable spirit. Taekwondo has also taught me all those traits that are needed for a better life. I have learned all those important traits because while practicing Taekwondo you have to have all those traits and use them, while kicking you persevere even if you missed or you didn't have enough power, you keep on going. you have to respect others and control your emotions. Taekwondo has taught me that I have to have all these traits to have a successful mind and a strong body. Taekwondo has taught me about self-esteem and how it is important. without confidence you can't do much of anything, you have to face your fears. if your testing you have to believe you will pass it and people will see that you are ready and confident of your ability.

The reasons I love Taekwondo so much is because of my nice masters and instructors, and the work they make me do. they make us do hard exercises but it is for my own good it makes me stronger or it enhances my skills or my knowledge of the tenets. I also love Taekwondo because of its graceful yet powerful moves and attacks. Taekwondo has brought a lot of things in my life, good life lessons, strength and most of all trusted friends. Taekwondo has given me friends that I trust. in fact the reason I wanted to learn martial arts was because of a friend in my school.

Taekwondo has also made me a more responsible person, it has taught me I have to get everywhere early. Taekwondo has taught me that if you are responsible and people know you are, people will respect you. to be a black belt means you are the highest rank. everybody else looks up to you so you have to be very responsible, you can't play around and if you do you won't be respected and other lower belts would think “why can't I be a black belt? im better and more concentrated them him!” so to keep your reputation and respect as a black belt you have to be responsible. responsibility is one of the most important traits while doing Taekwondo and Taekwondo has taught me how to master it.

Black belts need to be open-minded and they need to accept and be flexible with any changes or adapt to them. this is a trait everybody should learn, not just black belts but black belts learn it naturally because they have to. if they are stubborn and always want it their way then nobody would like or respect them.

As a poom belt I know that being a black belt will be tough, already being a poom belt is hard enough but I have to take the trait I learned in Taekwondo, perseverance and keep on going. I need to work hard to get a black belt and when I become one I feel that my journey will be complete, but I know that is not the case. I know I have to keep practicing Taekwondo and keep practicing the traits Taekwondo has taught me. that is when I truly know my journey is complete.

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History of Taekwondo Essay Examples

Exploring the history of taekwondo - a korean martial art.

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that has become a popular form of physical activity, self-defense, and sport around the world. The history of taekwondo dates back thousands of years, and its development has been shaped by Korean culture, politics, and international influences. The history...

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