This morning, Senseis R, T, along with Senpai Angel and I met in Griffith Park for Senpai MP’s brown belt test. I parked at the wrong lot, attempted to walk to the location, only to realize driving work better. By the time I arrived, Senpai MP’s test had started.
Who’s got your back? Angel of Strength
I should mention that Senpai Angel, who holds a shodan, is disabled. He has severe autism, and, according to his parents, his mind is more like that of a twelve year old, though his body is that of a tall young man nearly twenty. After training with Sensei R at the dojo in Burbank for many years, he performed a modified shodan test, which he passed. He was Sensei R’s first student with severe disabilities, but not his last.
Senpai Angel opened that door for many of us, giving us a glimpse into the world of persons with differing mental and physical abilities, forcing us each to consider our own abilities and deficiencies. He had many obstacles to overcome to achieve his rank, and his accomplishments were an inspiration to us all. His continued dedication to the martial arts, as well as his friendship and kindness, continues to inspire our martial arts club.
Senpai MP’s help was vital to Senpai Angel’s own shodan, so it was only fitting that Angel would be there for MP, to call kata for him. In fact, Angel’s presence was a wonderful testament to Senpai MP’s own accomplishments. MP had tutored Angel on countless occasions, gave him rides to the dojo, checked up on him, encouraged him and corrected him. He stayed in touch with Angel during the pandemic.
Strength of Character
Of all the strength, skill and prowess demonstrated by Senpai MP today, perhaps his greatest accomplishment was this: his remarkable strength of character. He demonstrated this through his coaching of Senpai Angel. Senpai Angel’s own accomplishments and improvements were in no small part due to Senpai MP’s gentle encouragement and dedication.
And let me give you a brief description of Senpai MP, just to put all of this in perspective: over six feet tall, he towers over most. He’s solid muscle. His calves probably weigh more than me (granted, I’m a feather-weight.) Yesterday, Sensei R told us a story. While MP was doing his breaks–boards, mind you–he broke the cinderblock intended to help steady his boards. Senpai MP was our dojo’s primary tournament fighter for a good stretch of time.
So yeah, he’s a very strong guy.
His strength of character, however, rivals his considerable muscular power. He has an equally big heart. His dedication to both Senpai Angel and Sensei R showed this today. While he does put significant time and work into training his body, he puts equal time into his mind and soul. Through his interactions with his senseis and senpais, he displayed his still in this area, too.
Testing and Overcoming Weaknesses, Facing Fear
Sensei R has told us that every kyu rank constitutes a personal test. During the test, Sensei R will try to get into the students’ heads, make them nervous and uncertain. This is to force them to face and overcome those insecurities.
Senpai MP made his share of mistakes, but he persevered. Even when he seemed a bit rattled by corrections, he pulled himself together and kept going. He had clearly studied and practiced his kata. His foot positions were beautiful and several of his kicks demonstrated power and skill. He forgot a couple kiais. Senpai Angel noticed a move he forgot and called it out. Sensei R had him redo a couple of his kata. MP simply complied, with focused, improved technique.
Killer tabata
What was his weakness? Tabata! Few persons could best Senpai MP in a fight. This test was perhaps more difficult than one he might have faced in a dojo. In an actual kumite round in a dojo, he could deliver a powerful punch or kick to his opponent, and win a moment to catch his breath. Not so during this test.
Given the pandemic conditions, Sensei R had him do several rounds of tabata, an intensive cardio workout. He performed a two minute round of tabata representing each fight. You are not allowed to stop and catch your breath during bear-crawls, mountain-climbers or birpees. You are allowed to stop between rounds, for thirty seconds or so, then you have to be ready to go right back at it.
In Senpai MP’s case, the Senseis and Senpai Angel delivered some blows while he performed bear-crawls. He was not allowed to flatten any opponent with a powerful punch or kick; he did not stop and catch his breath, unless Sensei R or N allowed for it. At one point, he did become white and Sensei R allowed him to stop, but just long enough for his color to return.
Why do you train? What does your kata mean?
At one point, to encourage Senpai MP during his kata walk, Sensei R said, “Why do we do kata? Each kata can be a battle, and the moves are your responses to a conflict at work.” Suddenly MP’s kata moves became much more pronounced, full of power and precision. Sense R continued, “Kata can be a meditation, an expression of your religion. It can represent your joy in life. What is it for you now?” For the next kata, MP’s moves flowed more gracefully. It was a wonder to just watch the influence of his words.
Once his test was over, Senpai MP thanked each of us. He said something interesting to me. I’ll do my best to paraphrase. “I realized I had previously kept my personal training and my karate separate. I know that makes no sense. Now, that I’ve gotten older, and I can’t train every day, but every other day, I find myself practicing a kata on those days.” In short, he now integrates karate into his every day life.