Olson Week #3

My Martial Arts Journey

     I have been practicing Isshin Ryu Karate for a while now. Since I was born my Dad brought me to the dojo almost weekly. Before I was 4 I wasn't allowed to train yet. So, I would just sit at the doorway of the dojo and watch as the large figures practiced moves that were bizarre and foreign to me at the time. When it was finally time to get on the dojo floor, I was a white belt. You can see me in my early days of training in this video. I can't tell you the emotions going through my brain (I was 4 so I can hardly even remember) but I can guess that I was excited to finally try what I had been seeing. It took me 12 years to get my black belt (average number for my dojo) and boy was it an experience. Learning the basics was first, knowing how to stand and how to throw simple punches and kicks. Then, the yellow belt test. I still remember breaking my first board, and it was scary for me. After climbing through the ranks a bit, I had reached brown belt. I stayed at brown belt for 5 years before I could even attempt my black belt test. Every time I would make a comment saying "that was hard" or "I'm tired" people would say "wait until your black belt test." They weren't kidding.

    My dad was determined to make my brother and me black belts before my brother went off the college. The hard part wasn't doing any of the moves I had learned over 12 years (that was relatively easy) but rather the physical training. Boy that was a tiresome weekend. The whole test lasted about 14 hours, with about 4 designated for sleep. It involved some serious cardio I can tell you that. After the test was done I could finally relax, I had done it. 12 years of hard work and I had finally done it. I'm not done yet though, I still have weapons kata and further studies to do. My dad still teaches me at home, so everything is still fresh in my mind. Whoever you are, you can do whatever you set your mind to. 

Picture after my black belt test (July 2020)