Nidan Examination … or … The Rabid Chihuahua Fights Back

The test was upon us. Sensei Hassell had called all of the examinees up to the front of the room to ask if we could start the test early. We explained that our wives/families hadn’t arrived yet, but we would try to call them. He agreed and said that was fine, and to let him know when everyone made it.

We scuttled off to our phones and I was pleased to hear that and were just 10 minutes away. I was happy to hear this, because this meant that my test could start 10 minutes earlier and be done with.

Now, before I begin my retelling, there are a few things I need to explain. Nobody remembers extensive parts of their black belt exams. I will recount for you the parts that are somewhat vivid in my mind.

The test began, and he had the Shodan (first degree black belt) candidates test first. Erbe-san did a brilliant Jion kata, it was by far the best of the testees. He got Heian Nidan selected, which I have long contended was his best Heian. The other two Shodan candidates were a little lackluster in the kata department, but it was still pretty solid.

Erbe-san’s basics looked good too… he was a bit wobbly, but that was probably the floor (which is foam mats) and nerves combined. I think Dave was the only person from our group that didn’t get annihilated in some fashion. He did hit the younger guy that was testing in the back of the head pretty hard, I think I saw the kid’s lights flicker a little. He dominated the other Shodan candidates, and it was very good showing. For myself, a wave of nerves had hit so that’s about all I remember from his test.

Then it was our turn. Sensei had us come out and announce what kata we’d be doing, Brewer-san was doing Jion, McCabe-san and I were both doing Empi. Brewer-san did his kata, I seem to recall a few differences in technique between our dojos, but nothing outstanding. I remember thinking about how large of a guy he is and how tough the sparring is going to be. I was right, but I’ll recount that more later.

My kata was a blur. I remember that my gi was snapping and I stuck my jump. I also remember that Mike started a few seconds after me, and he said that was intentional on his part. We got called back out to do our second katas, Brewer-san got Bassai Dai. He did pretty well, again with a few differences than us.

My kata was Jion, as I expected. The only parts I remember was to land with my hand and foot at the same time at the front of the kata, and I heard Dave Erbe’s voice in my head to keep low on the last two techniques. I did so, and I thought it went pretty well. I caught my toe in the crease of the mat on a couple of stances, but I figure it wasn’t too noticable.

Basics were a blur. The only thing I remember from the lot is wishing for a few seconds to breathe halfway through, and the fact that we had to repeat the step back rising block, round kick with rear leg, backfist strike stepping down into lunge punch combination because Brewer-san did it with a front leg round kick. That confused me because I couldn’t see him. Three way kicks went moderately well, I didn’t fall over or put my foot down but they weren’t as snappy as they have been in the past.

And now, the sparring. I got called out to face Brewer-san with not enough time to grab my mouthguard. Bonsai, I thought. It was offensive and defensive drill first, and to be honest I don’t recall anything about that. The only things I remember from sparring Brewer-san are the following: he hit me in the ribs on the same side as Oedewaldt-san did earlier causing my breath to leave me again. I didn’t let it rattle me too much though. My spinning back kick fake into a jab worked too well, and I cracked Brewer-san in the chin. At this point, he shit hits the fan.

He came charging, and I am told that I did a side thrust kick or back kick or something to stop him, but in the process flung myself off of his body toward the mirrors. I stopped his pursuit, but almost pulled a header into the glass. We exchanged a few more times, and by this point the pain in my ribs and the near-mirror experience had me pretty amped on adrenaline.

And then it was time to face McCabe san. He drew the first shot… got in close and hit me right under the left cheekbone. It hurt, but I shook it off and kept going. My next attack was a straight in punching combination, something I usually don’t do. He blocked a little light on my punch, and it went RIGHT into his left eye socket. I thought I seriously hurt him when I noticed that he had broken blood vessels in his eyeball. Ouch.

He had the look of an axe murderer when he got back on the line, I knew what was coming next was going to suck. He came in with his trademark freight train lunge punch, I blocked the first but the second one hit me right in the same ribs, causing me to cough and sputter. I needed to take a second, and Sensei Hassell asked me if I was alright.

Instinctively, I said “Never better, Sensei.” and got back down in stance. Everyone laughed, and this confused me. I came back by driving in with a reverse punch and then a big hook kick that I thought was off target, but a few gasps told me otherwise. I think I may have gotten hit once or twice more during that one, but I didn’t care. Adrenaline is a hell of a drug.

The test was not over yet. We had to spar with the sandan (third degree black belt) candidates. I got across from the female candidate (Jeanne, I think her name was, I can’t remember again), and at this point I figured I had failed the test. I figured if you get your ass beat as much as mine was, it must be obvious that something was not right. I expected that to be the sole reason I did not pass, so I decided to go balls out during this portion of the exam. It worked.

I can remember twice that Jeanne-san (I’ll call her that, because I’m bad with names and can’t remember) just looked at me completely befuddled by my attacks. Once it was legitimate, as Sensei instructed me to do jyu-sanbon attack with three jodan techniques. In our dojo, jodan generally means head level attacks. Apparently, in St. Louis, that is constrained to head level punches. Thats’ why she looked confused when I whistled a head level round kick at her face. Understandible. I felt stupid.

Anyway, shortly after this McCabe-san had to take on the other sandan candidate, and this guy didn’t f*ck around. I’ve never seen McCabe get dumped off his feet so naturally, but I was scared for him. He took it like a champ and actually landed a few shots.

The test was then adjourned for the board to deliberate, I was very sure I had failed. By this point I had resolved that I gave it my best shot and I was still lacking and to get ready to go again in October.

Imagine my surprise when the results were read: McCabe-san, Erbe-san, and I all passed to our next respective ranks. A clean sweep for the Pekin club, and we were all amazed by this.

During the post-test celebration, I had some very humbling and unexpected comments come from Sensei Taylor. He made a point to commend me on my attitude during the whole test. He said that the fact that I was able to take the exam and all the lumps that come with it with a smile on my face spoke volumes for my training and the integrity of both me and my instructors. He went on to say that he hopes that I was able to continue this throughout my training and that he was very proud of me. This completely blew me away, as the man hadn’t said ten words to me in the last 14 years prior. One of my only goals during this whole process was to reflect well on Sensei Brewer and Sensei Hartman, and Central Illinois Shotokan. This rank was just as much for them as it was for me.

I must say, I feel extremely close to Mike and Dave given the last six months of training and the experience that we’ve had together. We did it, guys! Also, I owe major thanks to and for keeping me sane during this whole process.

I also owe a great debt to Sensei Hartman () for his contributions and advice to making this thing happen. I really hope I made you proud, Sensei. I’ll be in the dojo tomorrow and every other opportunity possible.

Last, but definitely not least, I owe a great big thank you to Sensei Brewer for his inspiration, analysis, and inordinately patient teachings. I really don’t know where my life would be if not for him. Words can’t accurately express how much his time, attention, and support means to me.

Finally, to my dear wife … thank you for being so supportive during the last six months. I know it hasn’t been easy to not see me for such long periods, but I really appreciate the patience you’ve shown for me. I love you; you are the greatest ever and I couldn’t have done this without you.

Tomorrow I will elaborate on the aftermath of the black belt exam… it was a good party, that’s for sure.