JOURNEY TO BLACK BELT
Becoming a black belt in karate was something I'd dreamed of for years since starting the sport, and in 2018 I finally achieved it.
I first fell in love with the karate in 2012, when Liberte Karate opened its doors. It all started with a trial class during my PE lesson at school. I was immediately hooked and, after begging my parents to let me join, they finally agreed. At just 6 years old, I stepped onto the mat, and it felt like I had found my place. From that moment, I was all in—loving every move, every punch, and every kick.
Over the years, I worked my way up through the ranks, reaching 1st Kyu brown-black bar. But the real challenge came when I started working towards my black belt. The progression from brown-black bar to black belt was the most challenging part of my journey. I was dedicated and determined to reach my goal and spent the next two years mastering all the requirements to sit my black belt grading.
My black belt grading lasted for hours, testing every part of my training, from techniques to endurance, to focus and mental strength. It was an amazing feeling that all my hard work paid off in achieving the goal I had once dreamed of. I often reflect on that day in how proud I felt of achieving my junior black belt at 12 years old.
My journey didn't stop there. Years passed, and I kept training, learning, and growing. I faced new challenges and obstacles, but I kept pushing through. Now, here I am, having recently received my senior black belt, a reward for years of hard work, perseverance, and dedication.
This journey has taught me so much more than just karate. It's about learning to never give up, even when things get tough. It's about pushing past the limits you think you have, and realising how strong you really are. And most importantly, it's about setting a goal, working for it, and achieving it, no matter how long it takes.
If you're working towards your black belt, don't give up. It might be tough at times, and the road might feel long, but trust me, all the hard work is worth it.
Stay focused, keep training, and believe in yourself. Your black belt is waiting for you, and when you get it, you'll know it was all worth it. Enjoy the journey, you've got this!