I train in Kyokushin Karate and currently hold the rank of 1st Kyu, which is Brown Belt with black stripe. I’ve been training since 1997, with a 3 year absense to pursue another passion. By doing this I forfitted my place as a Blue Belt/black stripe and upon coming back to training was made to start all over again as a white belt. It’s been a long road to get to this point, and next summer I will acheive my goal of becoming a Black Belt. It’s not easy to get your Shodan in my style of karate. There are several camps, certifications, qualifications, and requirements that must be attended to and met before you can even begin the application process. This past weekend I managed to get 1 of the final 3 pieces I need to qualify, and that was my second Winter Camp. The other 2 pieces will come this summer as I attend my second Summer Camp, and in a few month when I get my National Coaching Level 1 certification. I’ve put alot of training and sweat, focus and energy, time and money, and sacrificed alot for my martial art of choice, and have grown as a person and a karate-ka. Next summer I make a dream come true, and in doing so end one chapter and begin another. The long road back to the beginning. Because once I become a Black Belt, my true karate journey begins. And this thought, this realization, keeps me focused, keeps pushing me forward, and more than anything, makes me extremely happy and blessed! I hope others out there pursuing their martial arts dream have the same passion and also feel extremely happy and blessed during their journeys. There is no better feeling in the world! OSU!