Junior Blackbelt

[alan40]

Warren (9) just was awarded his Junior Blackbelt. He aced his written exam and did really well in all the other sections of his testing. He started when he was four and still loves to go. We're really proud of this accomplishment and now his little brother thinks it's time to start! The first is of my Mom and Dad with Warren. 2nd is of him doing a traditional 3 step and the last is of him breaking his boards. He had to do a front kick, back kick and a palm strike for his board breaking test. Aren't children just amazing?
Take care,
Al

 

[MossRoad]

Tell him congratulations!!!

Both of my daughters are involved in Karate. 8 year old started last year. 13 year old has been in it for 6 or 7 years. It really teaches them respect and discipline, as well as an outstanding workout. I would encourage all parents to investigate some form of martial arts training for their children, with a good, family oriented insrtuctor, of course . They seem to get way more enjoyment out of Karate than any of the other sports that they participate in.

 

[Thomas]

Afternoon Alan.
Congrats to Warren...in years to come Warren will come to understand valve of sticking w/the program as he starts his journey in life upon his own.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Alan,
Thats terrific, tell him congratulations !!! Ive always been amazed what the martial arts people are capable of !

 

[alan40]

Thanks for the nice comments. Warren is still flying high. Last night I walked past his room an heard him saying to himself, "Mr. Hayford, Mr. Hayford." Then he said,"I like the sound of that." I just about fell over laughing and enjoying the moment. He walks out of his room to go to class with his shoulders are all squared away and a spring in his step. I guess he's not so little anymore.
Take care,

 

[MF1455v]

Congratulations to Warren and you. Keep up the good work Warren!

My son has is now a second degree black belt and is now teach the younger kids. Tae Kwon Do is great for kids and the right instructor is even better. Here is a picture of what I built for my son when he got his Black Belt.

James

 

[Hakim]

Congratulations to Warren on his grand success. This is a truly significant achievement. And, he is just getting started. Not everyone is selected to teach classes. This will develop many further excellent aspects of his character. I am sure as he continues to advance, he will amaze himself as well as the rest of us.

You also know that the ones who do the best and advance the furthest, have parents who are the most supportive. So, congrats also to the parents.

Just for your interest, Ibrahim & Muhammad (honchos of TBN) are both 3rd degree black belts in TaeKwonDo. They are going to be testing for their 4th (Master's) degree in New York on Nov. 10. They have been doing it continuously since August 8, 1993. They are also nationally ranked referees. Tell your son he might like to start to get referee certifications, for it will enlarge his enjoyment of the sport.

If your son is interested, have him go to Taekwondo World Champion - PC Game and watch for the official release of "TaeKwonDo World Champion," the first PC action game based on TKD.

Again, many best wishes to you all. Keep going.

 

[Ibrahim]

Sorry to be late in this, but congratulations!

Even at a young age, the benefits from training and receiving a black belt in any martial art is something that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Encourage him to stick with it, black belt is truly when the real training can begin. And if he stays the course for his entire life he will be one of the few people in the WORLD who have such an accomplishment.

People marvel at brilliant musicians who can play the piano or guitar or saxophone, but the martial artist who has put in 20, 30, or even more years of his life into training and perfecting his skills will be much more amazing in his abilities, both physical and mental!

-Ibrahim

 

[alan40]

Thanks for the nice comments. Warren's goal is to be 8th 0r 9th don. We hope he makes it. Just went to a USSSA tournament last weekend. Had a really good pattern going and one of his kicks was to high. He lost his balance and stumbled. Still achieved 4th place. He achieved Gold in sparring. This is from the smallest kid on the mat. They may push him around but his technique is great. He is so quiet you wouldn't think he had it in him but he turns something on and away he go's. Little brother (5) starts next month.
We're so proud of our boys. It's great to be blessed with a great family!
Have a great day.

 

[alan40]

Hi this is Warren. Thank you for nice e-mails. Good Luck on your 4th don testing.

Warren