Nick Takacs Black Belt Essay

When martial arts first developed as a structured discipline, the idea of colored belt ranks did not exist. Each and every student trained with a solid white belt. Through years of training, dirt, blood, sweat, and tears darkened the belt to eventually turn it black. Unfortunately, in today's commercialized society, people in general don't have the same dedication and devotion to a discipline as the ancient martial artists did. Work schedules, family demands, and other stresses of normal life compete for every minute of the day. As a result, martial arts today generally denote progress through a series of colored belts. For most people, black belt represents the end of a long, hard journey, instead of simply the beginning of a more complex one. This essay will examine my personal story, and the reasons why I want to take the next step in my martial arts training. To me, the black belt that I achieve on the inside is more important than any piece of cloth tied around my waist.

When I test for the rank of Cho on April 23, 2005, I will have completed nearly 28 months of training. While some people might think that is a lot of time, many students take years to reach this point, due to any number of reasons. Aside from minor injuries, bruises, and the occasional wounded ego, I have always pushed myself, sometimes too far, to work through the injury and keep going. Also, I think it is important to note that the time spent reaching this level at the school I am currently in, does not represent other styles or other schools. Upon completion of my test, I will have achieved the Cho Dan rank in American Taekwondo at Golden Tiger Karate. Yes, I will have the opportunity to stand beside other black belts at tournaments and other events, but ultimately, the journey to that level is my own, independent of any other student, instructor, school, or style.

I think it is important to mention my reasoning for starting martial arts. Growing up, I was not what one would consider athletic. Graduating college at age 21, the term overweight and sedentary definitely applied to me, although I did tend to always stay busy doing something. However, I realized that certain aspects of my life needed change, and one of them involved physical fitness. Throughout the next year and a half, I dropped nearly 70 pounds of body weight, and started a regular program of exercise and weight training. By the end of 2002, I redeveloped myself physically, feeling better, having more energy, and participating in recreational activities I never used to have the desire to participate in. I tried an Okinawan-based martial art years back at a local YMCA, but gave up too quickly, and didn't push myself enough to succeed. I think part of my personal redevelopment examined those failed attempts at physical activities, and all but forced me to try again. Within these last few years of my life, whatever I put my mind to, I completed if I wanted it bad enough (i.e. Master's degree, Private Pilot's license, and very soon, a black belt).

Because I felt the need to reach a physical goal in the martial arts, I started searching for local schools to train at, hoping that I could minimize the amount of travel time from my house. Three schools existed at that time within a 5-minute drive. One of the schools I visited really turned me off by emphasizing the fact that the school trained "advanced" students, whatever that meant. The other school struck me as more of a clique, and I honestly felt like an outsider. The third school had a much more inviting atmosphere, and the students seemed to enjoy training there. A few weeks later, in January 2003, I officially signed up with Sagido Golden Tiger Karate, receiving my first student uniform, and a brand-new bright white belt. Aside from the upcoming karate training, I decided to continue the regular exercise program I used to drop to a comfortable and healthy weight a year earlier.

The first year of training tested my physical and mental commitment to reaching a training goal. Starting without any significant history of physical fitness, I spent a lot of time learning to handle myself in a physically demanding activity. Probably the single most notable accomplishment involved learning to do a simple shoulder roll. After nearly six months of bruises, cuts, scrapes, and a lot of bad landings, I successfully learned to do this seemingly simple gymnastic technique. I will always remember that part of my training, because when I look back and realize how far I've come, and especially when I see other students struggling with a technique or motion, I remember the effort and support I needed in order to succeed. This definitely plays an important part in shaping the martial artist that I am today, as I will explain later in this essay.

Aside from the physical development, my training over the last two years tested my mental stability and ability as well. Midway through 2004, the school severed its relationship with our Sagido Grandmaster. The end result of a long period of uncertainty, I questioned whether or not I would want to continue with the school, given the fact that a lot of students weren't sure what the future would hold. The prospect of going with an independent, individual school didn't really appeal to me. Thankfully, I had fellow students supporting me, as well as a supportive instructor, and I opted to stay with the school and continue my training. This decision served worked out for the best, as the school joined up with Dynasty Karate and Grandmaster Nenow. Grandmaster Nenow welcomed our school and its students, and opened the doors for me to continue training in the martial arts, as well as branching out and training in the grappling and mixed martial arts as well.

Another important mental challenge arose throughout my training, and this challenge occurred during tournament competition. Competing in tournaments really allowed me to test my skills against other martial artists. At my first tournament, I walked away with two trophies, including one for sparring, an event I never started out good at. While it was nice to walk away with awards, I also quickly realized that the award meant that I performed better than someone else on that day, at that point in time. I think too many fighters in general overestimate their abilities, win one fight, and then fall apart when they lose the next time. This became very apparent to me during one sparring event when I literally got knocked out, and couldn't finish the competition, due to safety concerns. I think this is one of the hardest lessons to learn, yet one of the most important, especially for a black belt-level martial artist. I never really had anything to prove to anyone, other than myself. Perhaps there's still some egotism in me from growing up without any kind of athletic ability, but I'm at a point now where I am confident in my own abilities, and I have no need to prove anything to anyone else. It's for this same reason that I don't feel compelled to compete for awards, but just to simply go, have fun, and represent the school and the art in general.

Now that I've talked about some of the larger issues in my training, I want to focus on the idea of what makes a "black belt". By this term, I refer to the martial artist who has reached a level of self-confidence, discipline, ability, and knowledge within their chosen art. Reaching this level is both a mental and a physical accomplishment. I think it's also important to realize that while I can become a black belt in this art, I am not a black belt in any other art, unless I go and complete the requirements for those ranks. However, the mental discipline and development I've gone through for this art will carry through, and should carry through, to any future arts I decide to pursue and train in. I hope that the martial arts become part of my lifestyle, because I enjoy the physical challenge, the physical fitness, and the mental development that comes with regular training and competition.

As I look towards my black belt test, I can't help but think what this event means to me. It is the culmination of a long process to reach a physical and mental goal that I have struggled with for most of my life. But as much as this is about me for the test, I want the other students and spectators to see the results of my dedication and perseverance, and hopefully apply that same dedication to their training or other life activities. I want to be a shining example of what a black belt should be. A black belt should not be an egomaniac, and let that idea get to his or her head. A black belt should be a role model for the art, someone willing to give back to the art and to the students of that art. A black belt should not be offensive towards anyone in the school, in martial arts, or on the street. A black belt should use the knowledge and skills gained through training to better his or her life and the lives of others. Unfortunately, this is not the attitude shared by every black belt. My goal is to do anything and everything I can to be an example of what a black belt should be.

Once I complete my black belt test, and achieve that level, my training does not end. My personal goals include training in mixed martial arts, and developing my grappling game. I also plan to focus more on developing speed and accuracy of techniques, as I branch out beyond the basic rank work that I focused on throughout the last two years. I would also like to assist with instructing at my school, to give back to the students, and to my instructors as they have given to me. My tournament participation will inevitably lessen, but more due to a major change in my life, namely marriage, than a loss of the desire to compete. As much as I enjoyed being a part of demonstrations, and hearing the reactions from the crowd when I'm being tossed around, or doing the tossing, I want to spend more time helping others develop themselves so they can experience the same type of adrenaline rush competing and doing demonstrations as I have. I think I've set the bar high for myself in this art, and for the future, but I feel confident that I can achieve these goals if I stay focused, and remember the struggles I went through getting to this point.

As I look back on all of the training I have undertaken, I can't help but amaze myself at some of the things I've accomplished that I never thought I would be able to do. Since this essay is part reflective and part narrative, I think it's important to list some of these accomplishments. The first and most significant area is the fact that I never gave up during my training, given numerous injuries and other events that could have easily caused me to say "enough is enough". The second area involves an enjoyment for sparring and contact events, which is something I was a bit shy about when I began training. The third area is the development of my breaking ability, to the point that I continue to surprise myself with the things I have done, keeping in mind that I always try to err on the side of caution when attempting a new break. The last area revolves around an overall physical confidence and development. I think right now, I am in the best physical shape I have ever been in, but yet I know I still have a lot more work to do. The Cho Dan rank is just a milestone for me in terms of martial arts development. My physical development needs to be for me a lifelong commitment to health and fitness.

I think this just about completes the essay requirement for my black belt test. However, I did not get to this point by myself. Given that I hope this essay is made available for other students to read, I would like to thank a few individuals for making positive impacts on my training. For those of you listed here, my heartfelt thanks for supporting me, working with me, training me, or just being the great people that you are. The martial arts community needs people like you. The world outside needs people like you. But most importantly for this time and place, I need people like you. So I would ask as a part of this essay to continue being the wonderful people that you are.

My fiancé Hillari, needless to say, I wasn't engaged when I started training. But that doesn't mean that the time we've spent together hasn't impacted my training or commitment. You've supported me from the day we've met in everything I've wanted to do. You've seen me compete, test for new ranks, and I know you'll be there supporting me when I test for black belt. As I look forward to a future wife, I definitely value your support both in my personal life, and in my martial arts training.

Parents and relatives -- well, they raised me and they're still standing (with most of their hair intact) to tell the story. Honestly, some of the biggest encouragement for me to push myself harder came from being asked why I bothered to get beat up, or to do something that I could hurt myself with. But at the same time, I think I've always been a little off-center with things I've decided to pursue. Even though some of the comments weren't always positive, in the end I've had support for the choices I've made. In fact, I think the negative comments inevitably fueled my desire to train longer, work harder, and push myself further. To everyone who has seen me perform or compete, or who will see me perform at my test, thanks for the support.

Sadan Virgil DeGarmo -- you've had many hats on over the last two years where I was concerned. You've been an excellent instructor, both for the martial arts techniques, and in being a wonderful role model for the arts. You've also been a worthy opponent, and a great Uke to work with in our numerous self-defense presentations. It's been a long and hard road, and I've said since the day when we joined the new organization that my goal was to be the first black belt promoted within the school. With a lot of hard work and determination, I've finally reached that goal. I would like to thank you for supporting me through these last two years, and I want to help you in the future in any way I can.

Kireesa Pramik -- the most unlikely friend, grappling opponent, and demonstration partner I ever imagined. We've had our ups and downs with various injuries, but I honestly never thought I'd find training with someone 10 years younger and female a joy to train with. Truth is, I've learned a lot from working with you, developing demo routines, and entertaining the crowds during those cold October parades. But I think the biggest reason I'm thankful I met you, is because you were the one who really talked me into staying with this school through all of the issues that came up, both my own personal ones, and ones affecting the school. I have no doubt in my mind that you have a very bright future, and I hope if you ever need anything, I can be of help to you as you have been for me.

Mike Trippett -- we have literally bled together a few times, and been through the sweat and tears as well. You are always willing to be a training partner and an Uke for anyone who asks. You've been through some demos with me back when we were white and yellow belts. We've gone through a lot of the ups and downs together, shared some frustrations, and had a lot of fun as well. Whether it was sparring, grappling, or working through forms and one-steps, you've always kept an optimistic attitude (wish I did all the time). Thanks for being there along the way, especially at those points in time where I seriously considered leaving. I hope to have the honor of uke'ing for your black belt test, as you are helping to Uke for mine.

Grandmaster Robert Nenow -- I've only known you for a short time throughout my training, but I feel the need to thank you for supporting our school, and all of the students through our transition and into the future. I see the way your students respect you, and the respect you show them. I hope I can become the same kind of role model as I continue in my personal life and in my training. This black belt is a stepping-stone for me, but a very important one for many of the reasons I've mentioned in this essay. I am honored to have you present at my test, and I will do everything in my power to promote the art and represent your organization well in my training and competitions.

GTK Students -- this essay wouldn't be complete without a big thank-you to all of the students I've trained with over these two years. It's been a long road, and some of you have been here since my days as a white belt. I hope each of you has been able to take something positive away from my attendance at class, because I have taken something positive away from each one of you. Some of you will be present for my black belt test, and I want to thank you for coming to share in that day with me. For those of you who have sparred with me, grappled with me, uked for me, or in any other way worked with me, thanks for being a part of the long road to reach this goal. It may seem a bit cliché to write this all out on paper, but trust me when I say the thanks to you is very much heartfelt, honest, and sincere, as is it to everyone that I've called out specifically.

This concludes my black belt essay. As I look ahead to April 23rd, and the black belt test, I know I'm in for a grueling couple of hours. But I also know the support I'll have there, both in the individuals working with me, and those in attendance. It's been a wild and crazy, long and hard ride to get to this point, but I finally made it. I can't wait to see what awaits me in the future. Karate is something I never thought would become a large part of my life. It has, and I hope it never becomes something in my past. There are enough people of all shapes, sizes, and walks of life training and competing every day. I want to make this part of a lifelong commitment to mental and physical wellness. And finally, once again, thanks to everyone who has had an impact on my training over these last 28 months.