Shino's Novice Black Belt Test.

[Shino]

This is long and winded. For those that read it. Thank you so much. By just reading this entire post you are supporting me.

This past Saturday (02/19/2005) I took my first Novice black belt exam.

Now I'm only half way through my Brown belt right now, so I wasn't actually eligible to get my black belt, but I took the test to make sure that I am ready in September when I do take my test. To be eligible, you must have your Adv Brown Belt with 6 stripes. I have my Brown with 3 stripes.

The test was 3 hours long. May was I tired afterward.

We started out with Physical requirements. We didn't do all of them, but what we are supposed to do is
1000 Jumping jacks - can do
75 pushups - can do
100 sit ups - still working on it
run 1 mile - can do
Hold a horse stance for 5 minutes. - can do

They picked one for us to do just so we could get the feel of it. And we were required to do 80% of what was required to get your actually blackbelt.

We got Horse stance. So I sat in a horse stance for 4 minutes. Man my legs were jello by the time that was over.

After that, there are 6 sections.
My first was Self Defense. Basically, someone grabs you, in different ways, and you have to get out of it based on the way we learned to in our classes.
We had 6 of them. This was actually the section I was most worried about. But I did well on them.

The next section was Power kicks. Something I have never had a problem with. Besides almost knocking my partner, nicknamed Six (who was holding a large pad) into the judges table several times, I did very well on these.

Next was the Technique drill and basic stances and offensive moves. The technique drill is basically a form where you display a series of blocks and punches and other offensive techniques. Then we just did basic punches and stances and stuff.

Then came the part that I enjoyed the most. Although I was worried about. Sparring. Man did we have fun! Talk about tiring though. There were 8 of us in my group. I was a little worried about this part b/c I'm more of a defensive fighter in my classes. However... I wasn't on this day. The idea was that we were to fight 4 rounds ranging from 1 to 2 minutes based on what the judges wanted. We fought 2 rounds in a row, then waited, then fought another 2 rounds. During your 2 rounds you fight 2 different people. The first person I fought was Six. He was actually at the point where he was going to get his Novice black belt. He had been training for 6 years (I have been training for about 2 1/2). He was good... really good. However he was at a disadvantage b/c he had just fought another guy, Cody, who was actually practicing for his 2nd degree black belt. But I'll get to him in a bit. Surprisingly enough, I came right out and just went at him. We had a good fight. It was fun. The second guy I fighted was name CJ. He was also and Adv Brown going for his Novice black. I owned this guy. When all was said and done, he just came up to me and said, "You know I couldn't help but admire your kicks. They're so fast." Yeah, Shino's head is starting to grow.

My second time through, one of the kids (14) from my studio, Oleg, went in. He was up against Cody. Well one of the requirements for getting your second degree was to survive a 2 on 1 fight. So they called me in to fight with Oleg. It was funny to see the way Cody reacted. He starts in the middle of us. He looked at me, and turned around and immediatly went after Oleg. He pretty much ran away from me as much as he could while beating up Oleg. Poor kid. Well, the next round, Cody had to go up against me and Six. Now this was fun. Cody did pretty much the same thing. Him and Six train at the same studio so he knows him well. Cody looked at me then went right after Cody. However this time he paid much more attention to me. He got Six on the ground a couple of times and Cody and I went toe to toe. Being able to hold your own against someone who is testing for 2nd degree... I would say that's pretty good. Six got back up and Cody went back to him... then somehow positioned himself to Jump on my back. My first thought was, what was he thinking. I fliped him over and Six and I proceeded to beat him sensless. The judges stopped us and Cody left. I thought I was done. Man I was freakin tired.

But no... I wasn't done. The judges wanted me to stay in for a 3rd round... against Six. Well I guess we were even. I got to fight him fresh after he fought Cody, and he got to fight me after I had gone 2 rounds against Cody and he had gone once. We were both dead and it showed. I round kicked him and didn't get my leg back to my chamber in time. He grabbed my leg and tryed to put my on my back. I jumped forward and grabbed his head. we both went down, I rolled him over and ended up on top. Then they stopped us. That was it for me. But Six had another round. When Six was done, he basically came over to us and collapsed beside Cody and I.

That was winded.
The next section was combinations. About this time, my stomach started killing me. It showed too. My combos were horrible. I got 3 of 5 on it. I was not satisfied with this at all.

The last section was basic kicks. my stomach was still killing me. We did front kicks, round kicks, side kicks, axe kicks, cresent kicks, spinning swing kicks, spinning back kicks. Just about all of them. Well it was tough, but I got through it.

Now it was time to figure out who passed.
7 / 30 actually passed the test.

The first two were 2 kids that actually already took the Novice black belt test and passed it. They were there with their belts on.
Then next person they called was Cody. He had to do some other stuff after we were done. He's a pretty amazing guy. After Cody was Oleg. He passed his test even though he got quite beat up by Cody. Then they stopped.

"Then next person we didn't know what to do with. I've never seen this before. It's basically an honorable mention b/c he isn't actaully eligible for his Novice Black Belt yet b/c he still has to put in some time. But he passed the test and met all the requirements, and this is only his first time taking the test.. Christopher Riccio."

Holy crap if you could have seen my face. I knew I wouldn't get my belt if I passed, but I didn't actually expect to pass. So I stood there with 6 other people (5 guys 2 girls). And tried to hold back my tears b/c I was so freakin happy. I mean it was 3 hours of some of the hardest work I have ever done.

When they dismissed us, the first thing I did was get greeted by a Greenbelt in my stuido who watched the hole thing. He shook my hand and said, "Congrats, you looked great out there."

Then I moved into the watching area, where Shandriz was waiting on me. She had endured the 3 hour test and watched me, and supported me through the whole thing. I put my arms around me and began to tear up. This was definatly the most challenging thing that has been put before me in a long time.

I really want to Thank Shandriz for sticking there for the whole test. Thank you so much Krys!

After all was said and done, Cody and Six both came up to me to say their congrats. They also expressed that they wanted me to go to their studio and fight with them on their sparring day sometime.

Well that's it for my story. I just felt that some of you (BWS and Excel especially) would like to know. Thank you for reading. It means a lot.

[Shandriz]

'Endure' my ass. I had a great time, watching. Just gives me the slightest peek at what I'll be going up against seven or eight years from now ('cause there's no bloody way I'll be able to do all that crap only three years after starting over like you. xD.))

It was a blast, and you really did an awesome job, sweet. I mean, you absolutely schooled most of those guys.


Best part, though, was sitting there in the sparring room and watching that 2 on 1. Even if Cody -did- almost fall right on top of me when you guys were going at it. xD. (I stood -outside- the room after that until they were done with the 2 on 1)

I'm really really proud of you, too. I could tell you were giving it your all even if you weren't feeling a hundred percent the last half. Plus you'd had your karate class and practice session beforehand, and getting up early! Quite a full day.

[Aradia]

Awesome job, Chris. I'm glad you had a good time, and am looking foreward to the story of the test that will get you that belt. It's always nice to have something that you enjoy and excell at. *loves*

[Excel Zero]

well you know I am here o support...just like 1500 miles away

I knew you'd pass from the start...and of course now I have even greater faith of you passing the whole thing. Is the test before or after AWA?

End of line

Excel

[BWS-1]

Ah thanks for sharing this with us! It really is appreciated.

[Shino]

[Daijaga]

Wow, what a saga! I didnt know you kicked that much ass, Shinosama. Although I couldnt we couldnt be there, you've got our 100% stamp of approval.

*stamp*

[Shino]

*stamped* w00t!

[Shandriz]

Hehehe. It should be fun, though. Like I said, I'm gonna stop by for a little while at least, to watch. Some of yous other guys should too, it's really fun to watch.

..of course, I'll be in costume, too, which will be entertaining. ^_^

[Shino]

I have a feeling BWS and Excel might want to stop by.