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DAY LONG BLACK BELT TEST HELD AT TAT WONG KUNG FU ACADEMYOn Saturday, September 11th, 2010, the Tat Wong Kung Fu Academy held its semi- annual Black Belt Test at the Tat Wong Kung Fu Academy Headquarters location at 601 Clement Street in San Francisco. Master Tat-Mau Wong himself and his top instructors directed the testing. The candidates were taken through a full & rigorous day of techniques & self-defense, kicking, hand & weapon forms and preparation for the Grand Finale Performance. The test lasted all day and ended in the evening with the Grand Finale Performance and official Belt & Tea Ceremony. Students of all ages and from all of the Bay Area Tat Wong Academies of San Francisco, San Mateo and Concord came together for this great achievement. There were a total of 63 students testing; Fourteen students tested for 1st Degree Black Belts and four tested for 2nd Degree. Michelle Hong & Wesley Prager of the San Mateo Academy and Ken Paris of the Concord Academy had the incredible achievement of testing for 3rd degree. It is not unusual for us to have at least a couple of siblings or parent & child combinations testing at any one of our Black Belt tests… but this was our record. The September 11th black Belt test had 9 pairs of families testing. * Mother & Daughter - Sherri Leung (1st Degree) & Lauren Jade Leung (Black Belt) San Francisco Academy There is a special & unique bond that happens when families train together in martial arts. And it is not always the parent or older sibling that is the higher degree. Sometimes it is the younger child that can help guide the way. But either way, it is the time together and shared experience that is so valuable. It just shows that ‘the family that kicks together, sticks together.’ Below are some thoughts from one of these parents, Attorney William Bauld from our San Mateo Academy. William tested for his Black Belt, while his son Michael Bauld tested for his 1st Degree Black Belt. Congratulations to all our dedicated Black Belts. Achieving their Black Belt & beyond does not mark the end of the journey, but rather the beginning of an even greater adventure. “some people dream of success… while others work hard at it.”
From William Bauld – Attorney & new Black Belt Training in Kung Fu has added a lot to my life. When I started I was 51 years old, and not very flexible. I was concerned that I would just hurt myself. But instead, I just became stronger, more fit, and less likely to hurt myself. I no longer think of myself as getting older, but instead see myself as getting stronger. I have a better appreciation and understanding of my body, both its limitations, and also its capacity and abilities. I have more confidence in meeting challenges, not just physical challenges, but also non-physical challenges. I have enjoyed the uniquely personal me-time while training, in which I block out all my other stresses and distractions, and just focus on what the teachers are asking me to do in the moment. This is a form of meditation, with my attention in a completely different place than it is during the day. I have a better attitude and mood when I train regularly, and I notice that even when I feel terrible and don't want to train, if I force myself to take a class, I always feel better afterward. To me, the best part of the black belt test was actually the preparation for it. For weeks, we candidates trained very hard, harder than ever before. I would go to the Kung Fu several times a week, and run through all of my forms, and the other curricula, and work hard on what appeared to be weakest. Training with my son Michael, who was a candidate for First Degree, and taking the test together was a really awesome experience! Many evenings at the San Mateo School, alone up on the mezzanine, we trained together, alternating forms, critiquing each other, challenging each other to push harder. This was a special and precious time, working really hard together to hone our skills and prepare for the big test. At the actual black belt test, the excitement of knowing that This Is It, and performing for the crowd, and then quickly creating a short performance, was something I will always remember. And during the test, Michael & I were able to perform some drills and self-defense together. I remember graduating from college, graduating from law school, and receiving various awards, but I know that this moment of getting my black belt will be one of my most special memories, an achievement of which I am very proud. And to be able to stand up with my new black belt on and congratulate Michael on getting his First Degree was a real thrill. This is the kind of experience that made me want to join Michael in this martial art. This was the moment that I was somehow hoping for five years ago, though not really expecting it to ever happen. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR BLACK BELT & DEGREE GRADUATES3RD DEGREE BLACK BELTS 2ND DEGREE BLACK BELTS 1ST DEGREE BLACK BELTS |
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