Update on my Journey to Black Belt

[Robh (Rob)]

Well done Mike!
Brings back memories.
It's a tough but very satisfying journey.

Congratulations, Rob

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

well done Mike

now - i hope - we will see more of you at the pony club

geoff

[allan gould]

Well done Mike. An excellent achievement that you rightly should be proud of.

[Ric]

Congratulations Mike, a wonderful lifetime achievement to be proud of.

Cheers

[gary]

Congratulations Mike,

Fantastic to hear you achieved your goal. All the best.

Gary & Mai

[spearo (Frank)]

Congrats Mike
Well done
frank

[Glenn Dawes]

Hi Mike,

What a great achievement! Although not in that league I recently went through my brown belt grading with GKR. It was a tough barrier to break having gone through 7 scrutinizing viewings before I was even allowed to attempt to grade. Being 53 and taking up karate at the late age of 46 didn't help either (I know what to do but the body doesn't always cooperate). As fate would have it I only got to wear the belt once, for having been training at the same time to be a sensei, I then had to switch to the black and white belt!

Anyway, its something I rarely talk about outside the family, but I'm proud of what I have done, and if I can play my part in helping children get fit and defend themselves I'm happy.

Regards

Glenn

[beren]

great news Mike, congratulations on a fantastic achievement

[girko]

Hi Mike, thats a fantastic achievement,well done. I have been down the path of the Martial sciences. I achieved my shodan Black in Ju-Jitsu, some time ago,the pain, suffering, and personal sacrifice one has to put one's self through. It will keep you well through your life.

Yours in Budo,girko

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks all - I really appreciate your comments. It means a lot.

Thanks for your story, Glenn. I'm glad you feel comfortable enough to share it here with your extended online family
I've competed against quite a few GKR guys at NAS and AKF tournaments over the past 18 months.

It's been almost a week now but I still feel a buzz from it. Some amazing memories.
A few more photos.. hopefully some videos in the next few days.

1. Right at the start, about to do the run
2. After getting a king hit during my last sparring round against Sensei Josh
3. Doing some basics
4. The June 2010 group
5. Attempting to block a body kick during my last sparring round against Sensei Josh. The whole fight was with him at that level of intensity! He was out to DESTROY!
6. After receiving the black belt!

[multiweb (Marc)]

Very well done.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Mike,

LOL, you're a zombie in the last picture!

And, omg, the sensei looks ferocious in that kick!

Congratulations, once again, what an achievement!

H

[peterl]

Well done Mike!!!
Another achievement in your life.
Congratulations..

Peter.