Black Belt Day at Fight Fortress

Black Belt Dat at Fight Fortress

Black Belt Day at Fight Fortress

Black Belt Day at Fight Fortress. So tomorrow, Saturday 13^th September, we will be holding our next Black Belt test at Fight Fortress. But what does that actually mean? What will be expected of those in attendance?

Well, for one thing, taking a test at Fight Fortress and passing it are actually two very different things. As a young (ish) man going up the ranks in Karate, I took many tests and saw many more. Some were arduous; you could see the men and women in action had really trained for it, wanted it, fought for it, and when they got it, thoroughly deserved it.

And then I saw the other side of it, and it truly sickened me. People testing for 3^rd Dan who could barely lift their feet off the floor, shuffling along and hoping to get by, let alone perform a beautiful roundhouse kick to the head.

Sparring like two kids scrapping it out over the last biscuit at a Kindergarten school.

Stances that looked like a scarecrow doing its job in the farmer’s field. Truly, mind-blowingly, awful. And they walked away holding the same rank as the guys and girls at the school down the road who bled for theirs.

I want my Black Belts to be good. No, I want them to be great. I want them to show respect to their academy, to each other and to themselves. I want them to give their all, show me how much they want to be a Fight Fortress Black Belt. I want them to fight like two monkeys looking for the last seat on the ark, and brother, the rain has just started.

I want them to know that “getting their name down” does not guarantee a pass; it just means I think they are capable of doing the job. The rest is up to them.

The first goal on Black Belt Day is punctuality. If you can’t be on time, then how can you be respectful, disciplined, and hungry? They must look smart, wearing the correct uniform, not wearing a t-shirt showing the latest rock band or favourite football team (yes, I have seen it happen). They must possess and wear the correct sparring equipment, show heart if things aren’t going their way and humility if they are.

They must represent everything Julie and I, and therefore, Fight Fortress, stand for. Honesty, camaraderie, spirit, integrity and the will to win.

They must forget what it feels like to give up and power on through. And most of all, they must be like one of the seven sins: proud.

Otherwise, what is the point? How are they going to conduct themselves throughout their everyday life?

A Fight Fortress Black Belt: It means so much more than a 2-inch piece of cloth around your waist.