It’s been a while I have started this article, but never took the time to complete it. I guess I wanted to find the right words to express this experience appropriately. However, sometimes you just need to sacrifice perfection for timely delivery 
On March 14, 2009, eleven courageous karatekas gathered together to participate in the annual black belt grading exam. Ten people were being tested for their first degree black belt, and one for his second degree black belt. Sensei Luciano and Sempai Marisa were honored and proud to have two of the ten candidates represent Dojo Tansei –Alessia and Michael. They represented our dojo very well. You can see the photos that were taken during this eight hour long exam at this link.
As part of their shodan exam, they needed to demonstrate their knowledge of karate terms, techniques, katas, combination of techniques, stamina during a cardio-demanding workout, tameshiwari and an exhausting ten rounds of full-contact fights. This particular exam focused particularly on endurance. The principal teachings of our karate and what this exam demanded is determination. One main characteristic of a Shinkyokushin black black is the mental ability to overcome any obstacle –when you think you can’t perform anymore and when you want to give up, that’s when you need to find your second wind and continue… the “never quit” attitude. Every single candidate demonstrated this. In fact, three out of the ten candidates had not passed last year, and were trying again this year. This truly demonstrates their determination and perseverance to not quit and try again.
About Dojo Tansei’s candidates:
Alessia has been practicing karate continuously for nine years before passing her black belt. She has participated in six summer karate camps organized by Shihan Camille Ohan, in several international competitions hosted by FKCO, GoldCup, and Junior Rallyes, in several seminars. She trains at the Honbu weekly during the professional courses, and of course at Dojo Tansei. She assists in teaching the mini-karate classes every Saturday morning.
Apart from karate, Alessia also enjoys the art of ballet. She has been practicing ballet continuously for eleven years. Alessia is part of the International Baccalaureate education program and has been on the honor role list since seventh grade. Alessia’s experiences has taught her the “never give up” attitude we all need in our lives. We are very proud to have her on our team.
Michael started karate at the age of four. He received his brown belt at the young age of nine. He then stopped for a few years and started it up again at the age of thirteen at Dojo Tansei, under the tutelage of Sensei Luciano and Sempai Marisa.
Michael demonstrated a sense of humility and trust with his new Sensei, when he wore a white belt once again during his evaluation period. Six months later, and after much dedication and hard work, Michael achieved all the criteria needed to qualify for green belt (two kyu levels below brown belt). Without question, he accepted this belt and worked even harder to prove himself for the next levels leading up to black belt level.
Throughout the years, Sempai Michael has demonstrated much dedication, perseverance and loyalty towards his chosen art, his dojo, and improving himself. He has participated in a summer camp, Mont Tremblant challenge, junior and international tournaments, tameshiwari, seminars, professional level classes at the Honbu, and assists in our classes at Dojo Tansei. Sempai Marisa and I are very proud to have Sempai Michael as part of our team at Dojo Tansei.
Besides karate, Michael has been part of an elite baseball team, and graduated high-school with honors. He recently started college this year.
Picture taken at the end of the Shodan exam with Shihan Camille Ohan
Picture taken at the end of the Shodan exam. Behind is a chart used to count the number of fights each candidate was required to do.
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