Zen Do Kai The Best of Everything in Progression

I did a lot of pad work training with my helper before my second dan grading. I worked on fitness, technique, strength and attitude. The first three were okay but I could not find an angry attitude within myself. I do get angry but not in a way that makes me want to hit anyone or anything. So I took the attitude of wanting to do my personal best and worked on that.

The second dan grading was physically and mentally hard. Physically I pushed myself to the limit and had some trouble with mild asthma. But I paced myself and pushed on through. Mentally I was just determined to pass and to pass as well as I could. The adrenaline kicked in and I barely noticed any knocks.

In about the last minute of the last round I took a punch to the face. I stepped into it and didn’t have my guard up. I felt myself starting to keel over and my helper rushed out and stood me up before I got very far over. I remember feeling like bursting into tears but made a conscious decision to get angry and fight back. The guy who I was sparing with said “now it’s your turn” and just protected himself while he let me have my best go at punching and kicking him. He did me a huge favour because I found the anger I needed to fight back. I now know its there to call on should I ever need it.

When the grading was over I was elated. The sense of achievement was great and the congratulations from the people in our club was amazing. But greater than that was learning what I was capable of mentally and physically. I really do surprise myself sometimes.