First Test Finished

So I have been in the Adult Taekwondo classes at the same ATA school my 6 & 8 year old sons go to. This has been something that I have wanted to do for a long time but have forever been intimidated in doing. I started classes about 6 weeks ago and was out for a week with a stay in the hospital.   Last Thursday was my first belt test and yes I was nervous. Never mind the fact that I learned the form in 2 days and I knew everything I was going to be tested on. Heck I helped both my sons prepare for the same test over almost 18 months ago. It wasn’t the fact I was doing it in front of people that had me nervous, after all these are the people in my class and we are all very supportive of each other.   So what had me so nervous? The answers are easy and pretty small. Yes the fact that my 6 & 8 year olds wanted to stay and watch Dad test for his belt. You see both my boys have been doing it for about 18 months. My oldest has been doing competitions in Forms, Weapons and Sparring almost the whole time and typically walks away with awards in all events he enters. He also is in the assistant instructor training class, which he has been in for almost a year and is the youngest in the class. Add to this that he is halfway to his black belt and yes the nervous factor goes up another notch. My 6 year old has been in it as long as my 8 year old but at a lower level of class and was just recently promoted to the Junior classes at the second belt level (yellow). So I have seen many Belt tests including Black Belt Tests, I have attended a number of Tournaments  and watched many hours of classes.   So here is old dad now out ranked by both his kids not sure how he is going to do. The test starts with all white belts being called on to the mat, to begin going through the test, except me. Yes I was sitting there with the higher level belts thinking “Oh GOD I am going to have to do this test by myself while everyone else gets to do it as a group". Then my name is called and I am asked to join the rest of my class on the mat and they redo their moves.   First Test is Basics and I rock it, pretty simple stuff but yes I am proud. Second test Self Defense again pretty simple stuff. Third Test Traditional form, and I am ready. I work through the form and make 1 small mistake but brushed it aside and kept going.   TEST OVER!!!!
 
Now we get to watch the other belts test and see what is in store for us.

After everyone has tested the Instructor and other judges Walk to the center of the mat and say “Ok now to finish testing off we are going to do board breaks". I’m thinking “Wait we finished testing". White belts must do a board break using a single technique. I was like OK I will just punch the thing as I have one hell of a punch and can’t do any TKD kicks worth a crap at this point. Get up to the board and put my hand through it YES I passed.   After we all did our breaks we are informed that the boards we used were the ones that they use for 9-12 year olds.  

So I hopefully passed my first test, and once again have learned that it isn’t how good you do something it is the fact that you get up and do it the best that you can.  

For my next test I will be doing the stuff my 6 year old was just tested on and the material my 8 year old is assisting with.  So my kids get to teach dad!

Congrats!

I'm glad you had such a positive experience.
You breezed through it and it was over before you even knew it.

Keep up the hard work.

Scott

 Thats Great Paul!!!!! your kids must have been very proud of their Dad. I am hoping i will do something to make my kids proud of me when my journey goes forward...WTG & Keep up the good work

That's a great story Paul!  I love that you will be sharing in an activity that your kids enjoy.

Cassie