Another Successful Black Belt Power Weekend at The YH Park Taekwondo Academy!

Another Successful Black Belt Power Weekend at The YH Park Taekwondo Academy!

Candidates at the 2013 YH Park Black Belt Power Weekend

Candidates for Conditional Black Belt through 7th Dan participated in an intensive but exciting Black Belt Power Weekend at the YH Park Taekwondo Academy in Levittown, NY.  This unique, two day experience tested the skills, character, knowledge, and endurance of candidates-some of whom trained two years for the opportunity to participate.

In addition to be tested on their standard curriculum of poomse/forms, kicking techniques, sparring and Board Breaking candidates were required to run several miles, demonstrate their knowledge of self defense, kicking combinations, weapons, and Taekwondo history and culture.  

In keeping with the spirit of the YH Park Taekwondo Academy, the weekend wasn't all "kicking and punching" as candidates were treated to a traditional tea drinking ceremony, a thirty (30) minute motivational meditation and Referee Seminar conducted by International Referee, Seven (7) time Korean National Champion and former United States Olympic Coach, none other than Grandmaster Yeon Hwan Park.

Family, friends and supporters were impressed by the devotion and dedication of the candidates and their instructors, under the direction of their tireless leader, Master Edward Park.  These supporters were treated to lunch, as well as a dinner consisting of traditional Korean cuisine, and a World Class Demonstration by the medal winning YH Park Taekwondo Academy Demonstration Team.

An additional treat for candidates and spectators alike was a glimpse of the public portion of the promotion test for Master Donald Dancer by Grandmaster Park.  All were inspired and amazed by the skill and commitment of Sabumnim Dancer.   Opportunities for the public and students to witness testing on this high level are very limited and the students and spectators felt extremely privileged to witness this event.

Congratulations to all candidates and their families for a memorable event and many thanks to the instructors whose painstaking dedication and patience prepared them for this milestone in their life.  One candidate summed up the experience, "I have never felt so exhausted yet so alive at the same time!"

May, 2013

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