Danger, Danger!
by Mark Robson
July 14, 2009
Yes, I’m now officially dangerous. Has it really been 6 months already? Seems like only yesterday I got my red tag at Tae Kwon Do. Had a rough grading this time, and didn’t feel I did myself justice on gaining my red belt. Although I passed my recent upgrade, I only gained a ‘B+’ this time, which was disappointing after my string of 7 straight ‘A’s. I can’t complain, though. It was a fair result given my performance. Despite being better prepared for this grading than for any of the others, I didn’t perform as well on the night. I guess that’s how life goes sometimes. It’s made me even more determined to shine at my black tag grading in the winter!
In reading up on the theory before the grading, I decided to get ahead and learn some of the history behind many of the patterns and some of the cultural history of the country in which Tae Kwon Do originated. The Silla Dynasty kept being mentioned, so I thought I’d look up a bit about Korean history. I’ve never been a great history buff, but I found some of the background fascinating. The Silla dynasty ran from before the time of Christ right through until 935AD. That’s one heck of a family tree the rulers must have had! Turns out the Silla kingdom was one of three kingdoms in Korea for some of this period, but the Silla kingdom was the most powerful – eventually conquering the Baekje and the Goguryeo kingdoms to enter the unified Silla Kingdom period in 668AD. Learned about Neo Confucianism and all sorts of interesting stuff related to the characters after which the patterns of Tae Kwon Do are named.
Next is black tag (effectively the first part of the black belt). The new pattern for this is called Hwa Rang, named after a youth movement. To my surprise, it actually seems easier than the last pattern. Bring on the black belt stuff, I say!
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Hi Mark
Been following your taekwondo progress with interest and congratulations on attaining your Red Belt even if the grading didnt quite go to plan. Well after quite a long break and doing Taekwondo some years decided to give it another go about a year ago. Was very surprised that they gave me the option to start where I left off at green belt or from scratch! In the end I did agree to start back at green belt but did also take a good 6 months to get myself back upto speed and only wear a green belt again when I felt I deserved it! I was surprised how over the months it does come flooding back to you even after a number of years break.
Anyway it was over a year since I started it back up again and taken 2 gradings since so now at blue belt although on both occasions only got a plus grading which I have been happy with but hope to improve on.
Look forward to your next installment on your progress.
Andy
Comment by Andy M — July 16, 2009 @ 9:04 pm
Good for you, Andy! It must be tough going back after a long break. I find it hard if I just miss a few weeks – which does happen occasionally due to the pressures of work.
I’m looking to step up the pace of my training after the Summer Holidays. I’m going to switch from one session/week to two, plus an occasional visit to the sparring training in a nearby town. Will also try to lose about half a stone before the next grading, so I’ll be out trudging round the local country park on ‘runs’ that are more like staggers!! Am determined to make it an ‘A’ on my last grade before Black. Tenacious is my middle name!!
Comment by Mark Robson — July 17, 2009 @ 11:09 am