1^st Dan Black Belt Essay (5-11-2018)

My TaeKwonDo Journey by William Hubbard

Being a black belt is a lot harder than being a white belt, yellow belt or orange belt. But it is also cool!

You get a lot of respect from people who are a lower rank than you. My master in Taekwondo (the martial art I study) is my grandpa. Since I am Korean I call him Halaboji. 

Taekwondo teaches you to protect yourself from strangers but it also teaches you focus, respect, and obedience.

I started Taekwondo when I was 4.

Halaboji and Halmoni(Halmoni is the Korean word for grandma) had just moved to California. One day when Halmoni and Halaboji came to visit me Halaboji brought something with him!

A Taekwondo uniform with a white belt!

The first thing I learned is that you always say sir or ma’am after you say something. For example, if your teacher or master asks you a question you say “yes sir’’ or “no sir.” Now you might be thinking what does Taekwondo mean? Taekwondo is three words. Tae means kick; Kwon means punch and Do means way of life.

Then Halaboji taught me the basic moves-how to kick, punch, and block and then he taught  me my first form Taeguk-iljang. Over time I’ve learned to do other forms like Taeguk-eejang, taeguk-samjang, Taeguk-sajang, Taeguk-ohjang, Taeguk-yukjang, Taeguk-chiljang, Taeguk-paljang and finally Koryohyung.

Every few weeks I also learn another move like ax kick and hooking kick. It’s funny to think that when I was a white belt I used to talk in a “Taekwondo” voice which is really just a gruff voice. I was mimicking toughness. But now I’m actually tough.

 When I was a white belt my body coordination was not as good. I couldn’t kick as high and I couldn’t punch as fast. Since then I’ve learned to use my danjon- my inner strength. Taekwondo is such a fun sport to study and over the years it has taught me a lot.

Now when something strange is happening I can defend myself. Also Taekwondo has helped my agility, instincts, and reflexes.

Halaboji is such a great master and I hope to be like him someday- after all being a black belt is only the beginning!  

할아버지 감사합니다.

2- Other Life Accomplishments: 

My name is William Hubbard and I am 8 years old.

I go to school at Monterey Hills 2^nd grade. I like to read, go to school, watch TV and do math. I live with my sister, my mom and dad. I have a lot of friends.

1- The first book I ever made was ‘the goose who was at the farm’ when I was in 7 years old (SPEF Summer School 2017)

2- Black Belt achieved of Taekwondo in May 12, 2018

3- My reading test achieved as 11^th grade level in May 2018

♣ Road to The Future William Hubbard (대성) ♣

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