Hello All, I have had a couple of amazing weeks. It started on Saturday July 31st when I tested and promoted my son Justin Michael Armstrong to his Junior Sho Dan (first degree black belt). I was honored to have my teacher Hanshi Fred Buck there to lead the test. It was awesome to see Justin’s fellow students there to show their support. In all there were about 30 of us to witness this monumental experience in Justin’s life. A Junior Black Belt test consists of a mix of performing all of the basic requirements listed on all of the Karate charts from white belt to black belt. The student then has to show that he can defend himself in a Nagi Circle. This is when several attackers surround the testing student and throw every type of conceivable punch, kick, grab, or combinations there of at him. Next the student must demonstrate all of the 19 formal forms (Kata). After this the sparring portion begins. The student is required to spar ten rounds, with ten students five of which are Black Belts. It is finished up with breaking (student’s choice of boards, bricks, or rocks).In all the test takes approximately two hours. As I listened to my son work his way through his requirements, I felt a mixture of pride in him and a strong desire to see him succeed. He nailed the basics part of the test with very few mistakes. The Kata portion of the test was extremely intense. He put so much of his heart into the execution of the techniques that he started to have an asthma attack. At the end of the 18th form I had him drop into sazau to catch his breath for his final form. The energy of the room was so intense that it felt like you could cut the air with a knife. The entire group of us was pulling for him with all of our hearts and minds. As Justin got up to finish his last form the room was dead silent. Well, he made it. He passed his test with high marks. When I tied his new Black Belt around his waist I was so choked up that I did not think I was going to be able to speak. Being a teacher and seeing a student succeed and grow through their martial art is one of the most gratifying experiences imaginable. Later as I spoke to Hanshi, he told me that in his forty plus years of teaching, that was one of the best tests he had ever seen. I had the parents of the other children come to me and tell me that they never imagined that Black Belt was that intense. One of the students which earned a Black Belt in another school said that his test was a breeze in comparison. The mother told me that there was no comparison at all. Justin is my first Black Belt that I have promoted since the opening of my Dojo in 2002. He is the first Black Belt in my family other than myself. After training him for seven and a half years it is my pleasure to have Justin as a Black Belt under me. It is also my honor and joy to have him as a son! God has truly blessed me with my family. - Shihan Mike Armstrong - Blind Tiger Martial Arts Academy