Okay the polls a bit of fun, but the issue is causing some stress.

My TKD school have given me the opportunity to go for my 1st dan next month. Although I still started from white belt and went through the grades at normal rate I was always told that prior experience in any style was recognised and in this matter each individual assessed on their own merits and abilities.

Its kinda freaky - one month to get back into shape (oops - kinda let meself go a bit after shodan-ho ). Would this sort of thing cause some resentment amongst other students?? I am after all still equiv 2nd kyu and not due till July next year. No fun training if its "there goes mr sucky" . Also means not grading with fellow students who I have been training with for last few years.
Im over the whole black belt thing, thats not the motivation for it. the challenge to get there sounds like just the spur I need at the moment. I enjoyed my s-ho grading a lot and miss the buzz of striving to achieve something.

Aargh - I dunno.....

Well, you're eventually going to have to go for your black belt in TKD, whether you go for it now or later when you're really supposed to. I say go for it, just so you can get it out of the way and get back to just focusing on training.

I also think you're not truly over the whole black belt thing, otherwise you wouldn't be all mentally confused over what you should be doing in this situation. IMO.

I'm bias towards TKD though, so just ignore the humourous "do a real style" vote. I've always been told that TKD was a girly style, because it focussed heavily on kicks. I enjoy kicks, maybe I should sign up.

Fair call, but really thats not the reason Im considering it - honest...no really
Yeah theres the buzz, but its like passing that final exam - a sense of achievement rather than a chance to boast.

TKD does mainly focus on kicks, but also sparring footwork and evasion, and real self defence, all of which I found sadly neglected with gkr .

You should qualify and say your TKD school does this, since I have no doubt there are as many shades of TKD as there are of karate.

Anyway, if you go for it and pass then you can concentrate on learning a real MA.


Mick

I say Go for it.

Like you said you like the challenge of striving for something.

There can't be anything more challenging.

Get fit enough for the grading in ONE month?
or stretch it out and be a wuss () and be fit enough in 8 months?

If you're not ready when the time comes at least you're on the right track to BE ready next July.

I voted wait till july, but what do i know,Mat your a b belt in your heart, your a b belt in another style, your a b belt in your knowledge, whats the rush, wait and grade with the people, you have graded with all along, im sure it will mean more grading with them.But like i said what do i know!Your challenges you like will be met by mick, im positive.

July man.... My first idea was to pick go for it man. But I re-read your post and you did say you like to striving to achieve something. Whats the point of jumping a grade, but then again your at that 1st dan level then go for it. I know with National TKD down here they frown on a BB doing another style, bit of a same. HTH, Probably not.....
Rusty

Thanks to everyone for the posts.
In the end it was my body which decided for me.
Done my knee in well and good and both physio and sports doc said "no bloody way in hell"

C'est la vie!!

Ah Well, these things happen. Ive had two weeks of not training due to a knackered toe. It Felt ok this morning so I thought I`d go to karate after work. While at work I dropped a washing machine on it.
Back to square one then.

Man, do I know that feeling. Except, it's both of my knees. =O

Oww!!! That sucks

what are u lot like Toes, knees just suck it up and get on with it yer big girls blouse hahahaha if yer kness hurt or yer little toes's lol train yer hands and vice versa its only when u get old like me can you put yer feet up At your age nothing short of death is an excuse

Regards

I like that Ben! Very well said

Now hang on a minute....... Have we delved into the whole pain aspect here? I know that people have different pain thresholds and that some people are far more equipped to deal with it than others.
When I moaned to my then-Girlfriend about my toe and its agonising pain she simply answered " so..... you`ve not been a parent then?"
I kept very quiet for a long time after that.......
But anyhow, Matt, your TKD`s coming along nicely now!

Think of passing a watermelon through the eye of a needle.....

No wonder the female body produces chemicals to block the pain memories of child birth.


Back to the topic at hand: Have you set a date for your grading Matt, now you're back at TKD?

yup - July this year.
Looks like I'll be losing the gut soon as I really need to get back in shape for this.
Testing consists of a fitness/attitude test being a 2.5 km run in a set time, followed by 100 pushups and 100 situps. This really isnt any different to what they do to GKR black belt gradees (hey I made up a word), they just seperate it and make it obvious.

Then comes sparring semi to full contact, Basic techniques are then done, in a similar way to gkr but there arent as many strikes & blocks (kicks have many many more), and they are all done on the move. Following is assessment of handling various attack scenarios (being punched at, wrist/shoulder/hair grabs etc....).
Next is patterns, of which you need to know Taeguk 1-8, but will be tested on whatever patterns they call out on the day...usually 3 or 4 of them. Finally 2 boards must be broken with both a side kick and a back kick. There is a theory component too and I really need to find out what that is very shortly!

Then a 2-3 day wait while they meet and discuss everyones effort and wait to receive a letter with results.

Don't forget to let us know so that we can come down and hec... cheer you on.


Mick

*wonders if she can get enough money together to get back to Perth in July*

I wouldn't miss it for the world...

Sounds err... challenging.

The bit I dont like is waiting 2-3 days for your letter. I'd go crazy waiting the results.

Good luck!!!!!!

..if it weren't for the half a world...and you know, a huge ocean in between..
I'd totally be there....

...but always in spirit

Hi Mat.Who do you train with?

Mark Burridge. I list him as opposed to Steve who owns the academy as after all this time I have never met him

You do TKD with burridge Martial arts right. What other arts do they pracitce there?
I seen Steve flying around in his car.
If its the same person im thinking of.
AWESOME! cheers mate.

Brazilian Jujitsu is often incorporated to 'round off' the stand up defense techniques (been a little while since we've done much however ) - and for those who particularly enjoy it there is a true BJJ class taken by Soa. There used to be kickboxing classes too but these are not done at the centre I train at any more.

yare i know him.He fought my coach in a submissin grappling comp.It went for 45 mins then they called it a draw cause it was just going on for ever.Soa is better known as the jolly green giant Or the Hulk.
He just signed anpther contract to fight in Oride.
You cant go wrong with the big fella.He truely is one of the pioneers of MMA in Australia as far as im concerned