On Sunday, April 14, Sara Owens completed her adult black belt test. For 15 year old Owens, this was the culmination of nine years of hard work. The test consisted of drills on all basic karate skills, including combinations, reaction drills, power and control drills, 10 forms, one weapon form, and 24 one-step counter techniques. Owens also had to create six of her own one-step counter techniques, and six self-defense techniques. She had to pass an oral test where “each tester asked [her] to explain any technique [she] had demonstrated,” according to Sensei Gerry Cheney. Owens also wrote a one-page paper explaining how “what [she] learned applied to everyday life.” The last part of the test was sparring, including a number of continual matches, one point fighting match with a fourth degree black belt, and a two-on-one match.
“I’m a high school student who loves martial arts and drawing,” Sara Owens said. “I’m always hungry for knowledge and eager to explore. I love hanging out with friends and sharing ideas.” The ninth grader began karate at six years old. “My journey in karate started at a young age and it has became a part of my life since then. It took me nine years to get here where I’m at, my adult black belt. It was all fun the first few years as a little kid, then it became serious as the years went by with a goal set in mind, that black belt. There were some setbacks, COVID times in particular that affected our classes greatly.
“I eventually changed schools and relearned because of the off period during the pandemic. I have the best teacher and have made new friends. We’re creating memories that will last a lifetime.”
Sara Owens’ main weapons for karate are her bow staff, her bare fists, and kicks. “The adult black belt was more intense and exhausting than the youth black belt. It is important that you have focus and endurance. Having said those, I can’t say I didn’t have fun.”
Gerry Cheney said of the adult black belt test, “For our style, we consider our first black belt test an endurance test! We push them to the point of exhaustion so we can see what they are made of when they are completely spent! Both [Sara and another candidate who tested with her] passed with flying colors. We had four different schools represented by their teachers testing them and they all were greatly impressed with their skill level, especially at such a young age!”
“Karate grew on me over the years, and I enjoy the people I train with,” Sara Owens concluded. “I like the intensity of it. We learned not just martial arts, but the virtue that comes with it, discipline.”
Congratulations, Sara, on your achievement! As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.”
