Master Vernon Low visited Perth recently to conduct the winter grading examination for members of First Tae Kwon Do Western Australia. Apart from the many candidates for testing in the coloured belt ranks, there were two candidates for Junior Black Belt rank, and both undertook their examinations successfully.
Breaking, or destruction, is a key part of the black belt grading examination. Candidates need to demonstrate their physical technique and mental focus to break the wooden boards cleanly and correctly.
Upon candidates’ completion of the examination requirements, Master Low personally promotes them and presents them with their new black belts. In First Tae Kwon Do, achieving black belt rank denotes a new stage of training under Master Low’s direction.
Different martial art systems have different ranking systems. While most of the well known martial arts use a belt system (first instituted in Judo), not all do. In First Tae Kwon Do, the general principle is that darker belts denote higher ranks. Members at 6th grade (green belt), as shown below, are roughly halfway through the coloured belt ranks.
Congratulations to all First Tae Kwon Do members who were promoted in rank. Each grading examination takes only part of one day, but can represent months or years of effort.