What Defines a Good Taekwondo Black Belt?

Is being a good taekwondo black belt as much about attitude as is it about skill?

The best tkd black belts we have met show incredible humility.

They are hugely skilled and have a fantastic depth of knowledge.

But at the same time they are incredibly modest about what they can do.

They never let their ego rise. And they project a quiet, self-assured and self-confident attitude.

And because of this mind frame they are

• calm and measured in the face of confrontation and adversity
• kind and nurturing to beginners
• and open to new ideas and ways of learning

Don't get us wrong. The physical skills of black belts are hugely important.

Good black belts push hard to be physically fit.

They painstakingly practise kicks, strikes and patterns over and over to get them right.

And they seek help to improve the weak areas of their art.

And on the journey most have battled through injury problems and adapted and found ways to train that work for their body.

But as well as learning how to overcome physical hurdles, good black belts have discovered how to overcome mental hurdles.

Fear is a common one.

Other times it's fear of teaching or performing patterns.

Sometimes it's even fear of success.

You can be sure that every good black belt you meet has felt fear. Been tempted to give in. But then stood firm.

And found a way through and past fear to enjoy the rewards on the other side.

And of course the result of facing and overcoming fear is improved self-confidence and self-esteem - qualities that spread like ripples into every part of a person's life.

And talking of life? Great black belts also seem to be incredibly balanced people. Taekwondo and martial arts is not their whole life. Talk to some of the front row in your club. We bet you're amazed by the huge range of other life skills and interests they have.

And while you're talking maybe you could ask them this.

Is getting a black belt the end of the journey?

We bet they'll say something along these lines...

Getting a black belt is learning the basics. Then a new journey begins. Instead of your teacher showing you the path, you have to find your own way.

You have to seek out new ways of learning and developing for yourself. And you start to formally pass your knowledge on.

And when you start teaching others...

...you really start to learn!

And what about You?
What do you think makes a great taekwondo black belt?

Is there someone in your club you really look up to as a role model? Why's that?

Or are you already a black belt? Could you inspire others by explaining what your black belt means to you? Could you tell us about the benefits your black belt has brought to your life?

It's easy to get involved, you don't even need to give an e-mail address, login or password.

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