Regional Black Belt Testing Held at Central Karate Louisiana

Submitted by Central Karate Louisiana
    On April 9th, Central Karate Louisiana, in coordination with the International Tang Soo Do Federation, hosted Regional Black Belt Testing. Tang Soo Do, which translates to defense/strike with the way of the worthy hand, is a Korean style of Martial Arts dating back over 1500 years. As a member of the International Tang Soo Do Federation, students must train for a minimum of four years before being eligible to take their Cho Dan (1st Degree Black Belt) test.  As a current Black Belt in the ITF, students must re-certify every 6 months. Students must train for two additional years before being eligible to test for E Dan (2nd Degree), three years for Sam Dan (3rd Degree), and so on as the ranks progress. 
    Over 60 members of the ITF, including Technical Advisory Committee Chairman, Sa Bom Nim Y.D. Kim, Technical Advisory Committee Secretary, Sa Bom Nim Chris Dufour, as well as Masters, School Owners, and students, ranging in age from 9 to adult, were in attendance for the testing. Students came from many different schools in the south including Y.D. Kim Karate (Arlington, TX), Kim's Tang Soo Do (Watauga, TX), Y.D. Kim Karate South Collins (Arlington, TX), Zachary Karate (Zachary, LA), Ince Karate (The Woodlands, TX), PTSDA (Pensacola, FL), and Central Karate Louisiana (Central, LA). Central Karate Louisiana had two students who re-certified, Mr. Oscar Couvillion, 2nd E Dan re-certification and Mr. Duane Jolibois, 3rd Cho Dan re-certification. 
    Students who test for Cho Dan, are put through a grueling physical and mental evaluation including Hyung (forms), Ho Sin Sul (self-defense), Il Soo Sik (one-step sparring), Kyok Pa (board breaking), In Neh (endurance), Bong Hyung (staff forms), Deh Ryun (Sparring), and terminology.  Central Karate Louisiana had five students, who have been under the instruction of Sa Bom Nim Sean Kennedy and Sa Bom Nim Ivan Nevels, who tested for Cho Dan: Mrs. Lauren Kennedy, Mr. Anthony Williston, Mr. Blake Perot, Mr. Judah White, and Mr. Hayden Kuhns. Central Karate Louisiana was honored to be the host of this event and is very proud of everyone who tested or re-certified. If you would like more information about Central Karate Louisiana or the International Tang Soo Do Federation, please visit www.centralkaratela.com, e-mail us at [email protected], or call us 261-6326. Central Karate Louisiana is proud to offer classes for ages 4 to adult. Tang Soo!