CORNER BROOK - Bennett's Taekwondo in Corner Brook can now proudly boast the addition of eight new black belts among its ranks.
All eight returned from a recent grading by Grandmaster Lee proud of their accomplishments. Three reached the level of full black belts, while five earned the rank of junior black belts.
Achieving the rank of junior black belt (black with a red stripe) were Brandon Costello, 12, son of Heidi and Jerry; Taylor Lidstone, 12, son of Kym and Faron; Jordan Ryan, 9, son of Susanne Dawe and Brian Ryan; Brandon Bragg, 10, son of Duane and Valissa and Karli Gale, 9, daughter of Leah and Les. The red stripe and junior status indicates that recipient is under the age of 15. When the reach 15 the will receive the full black belt without further testing.
Those old enough to wear the full black belt were Ryan Greeley, 16, son of Wenda and Neville; Jonathan Poulin, 15, son of Katherine and Matthew Eastman, 17, son of Wayne and Karen.
Ryan Greeley worked for four years to get to the grading and he described it as "rather difficult." While it is demanding, it is a test you should be able to pass or your instructor won't allow you to be graded.
"You usually won't go until you are ready," Greeley said. "Right before I got my black belt I was wondering what I was going to do. Would I stay in the extra year if I failed? Now that I have this I feel really good and I hope to carry on with this."
Greeley said Grandmaster Lee is 70 and he is a ninth degree black belt so there is plenty more to learn.
A self-described "chubby kid", Matthew Eastman said his motivation for joining taekwondo was fitness - that changed quickly.
"I wanted a black belt as soon as I new what a black belt was," he said. "Last summer was when I realized what it would take to get it."
Instructor Dora Bennett said Matthew is the kind of kid that always gives 150 per cent. She saw it at the grading and so did the grandmaster.
"Everyone thinks it is just a lot of physical training," he said. "But I think it is a lot of emotional training."
He said it wasn't until he calmed down and started to respect his training that he was able to summon the correct discipline to achieve the black belt.
Jonothan Poulin moved up the ranks quickly, achieving his belt in three and a half years.
"I stayed in it because I had a lot of fun," Poulin said. "It feels strange to me still, but it means a lot to be able to get it. I didn't know that I was ready."
Poulin said the confidence he has gained has changed his personality.
"I am more open about myself now and not so afraid to do things," he said.
Instructor Dora Bennett was also upgraded to a second degree black belt and promoted to full instructor status. The instructor said there are new forms to learn even at her level along with a self-defence component.
"It is wonderful," she said. "I am happy with myself. The grandmaster watches me and also watches my students. If he is happy with the kids then obviously we are doing a good job."
