I cant really put into words how I am feeling right now. I feel drained, numb and very bruised. It was a fantastic day and I thought that everyone put in 100% and thoroughly deserved their new belts and tags.
It was an absolute pleasure to see a group of white belts who put so much enthusiasm into their first ever grading. Their confidence was so high which is great, but you have to back it up and they most certainly did. Our youngest lad has not been training with us very long, but his basics and forms where exceptional in my opinion. There is also a lot to be said about sibling rivalry! The two newest students at the academy are brother and sister and it is clear that neither were going to give the other the limelight on the day! I have thought for a while that a few new regular students in our traditional lessons would be good, and we now have three new Yellow belts. Traditional martial arts are not for everyone as it is a lot to commit to, but for the first time in ages I think we have some keepers.
I had a quick chat with some of the Falmouth lads before the grading started and it really does seem that they are all getting taller and I am shrinking! The two Orange belts are both younger and fitter than me so it was quite painful to watch them take their punishment as I new mine would be a bit harder. I thought I would be sparring them and was actually quietly looking forward to it but I was spared (probably for the best) and the honour went to my fellow academy brethren.
The trio of green belts had another pasting and I genuinely felt sorry for them as they were pushed extremely hard throughout. I was very impressed by some of the basics and their overall confidence seemed to stand out the most, they certainly did a better job of Pyung Ahn Sa Dan than I did! On that note it is great that we can now show off our two new Red belts at the British Championships and also means that the senior classes are going to start getting quite cramped soon!
I seem to say it after every grading, but this time it was definitely the hardest so far!! I think it was magnified by the fact that I had to do it on my own, something which I have never had to do before. There have been plenty of threats in recent gradings and I almost sold myself on the idea that I would be grading along with our newly appointed Red belts, but it soon became apparent I would be up there alone. In reflection I am slightly disappointed as I made lots of mistakes which are quite hard to swallow. I thought my fitness was poor and I struggled even with push ups, let alone those of the clapping variety. I messed up quite a few of my basics, couldn’t break my board or the sodding blue brick and the absolute worst of all was completely freezing and cocking up TWICE during Pyung Ahn Sa Dan. I don’t know if anyone has experienced anything like that, but to do it in front of all of your seniors and fellow students makes you so embarrassed you want the ground to open up and swallow you. I found it hard to recover from that and was very glad when it was all over.
The warm up literally killed me so when it came to basics I had a hard job even hearing the commands let alone translate them. I even managed to miss-hear Ha Dan Mah Kee and did something weird and wonderful instead, only to be shamed half way through. I was pleased to get the mountain block correct (as I had a premonition that would be in there!?) but was dumbfounded by the following technique. I new that I could potentially be asked to perform seven forms (which I was) including the first Bo-staff and Dagger forms which cost me about an hours sleep the night before. I thought it was going quite well until my failure at the end, but I was quite pleased to hear positive feedback on my two Chil Sung Hyung, although I ran out of breath on some of the slower moves and felt myself going blue trying to push the remaining, non-existent air out of my lungs. One of the main things I was nervous about was my Il Soo Sik Dae Ryun as it involves a very tricky takedown with the arms. I was told that the key is to dis-lodge the leg with the front hand first, making it easier to sweep the leg with the following arm – easier said than done. Luckily my partner went down each time which made me breath a huge sigh of relief. It was strange being asked to cover my ears while my demise was plotted further but it did give me a one minute window to desperately try and catch my breath. Unfortunately to my surprise I had to perform the five knife and ten open hand EMTF syllabus requirements which I just about managed to get through with plenty of mistakes.
Sparring finished me. I found it hard to survive my opening round with our merciless young pain inflictor, let alone fight four of my seniors. I was told that they were going to go full contact against me, could take me down at any point and could hit me whilst on the floor. If I couldn’t get up or if I gave up at any point I would fail my grading. Apart from a very neatly placed side kick on my frequently visited ribcage, a full power punch in the front two rows of my teeth and a heavy takedown, I remember no more about the sparring. If I scored one single point it would have been a fluke. I had a brief happy spell when I was called to the bench for my terminology as I knew that the physical aspect of my grading was over, but I had been dreading the interrogation procedure and the fact that they always seem to ask you questions on subjects you have revised the least. The hardest question I was asked was the first one; “Do you want to do more Sparring?”
It was a shock to hear that I was being considered for a double grading, let alone pass. After my numerous blunders I was actually preparing myself for a referral or a failure, so I couldn’t believe it when I was told I had attained my 1st Gup, I did not see that coming at all. It still hasn’t sunk in yet and the prospect of learning three new forms is far too much for me to contemplate at the moment. It seems like a big achievement, but it also means that I will have to work so much harder to learn my new syllabus requirements in what is a deceptively long period of time.
As proud as I am, I cant help feel like I have intruded on my 1st Gup seniors somewhat. I feel extremely humbled to be wearing the same belt and tags as my two senior Red belts, who both have over two years experience in Tang Soo Do than I do. When I first started as a White belt the nearest grade to me was 7th Gup (Orange Tag) so it feels a bit wrong to be where I am now. I just really hope they don’t resent me to a degree. For the record both of you are and ALWAYS will be my seniors and you have my utmost respect. The fact that you were both there on Sunday to give me support inspired me and made it a lot less daunting! I will always walk in your shadow.
Right now I am celebrating the fact I somehow managed to avoid a long term injury and can work towards the British Championships in a couple of weeks. I am quite possibly the happiest man alive at the moment but the hard work starts again on Wednesday.
Tang
Soo
Do
