By Mads Thon, Member until 2012
I have always thought it was something big to have the brown belt, probably mostly because you have to go through several different tests: first physical test, curriculum test/freestyle test and finally the competition itself with the final graduation.
The physical test was held on Saturday at fitness.dk in Slagelse where Claus, Karsten and I had to go through the physical test. First it was Claus, then Karsten and finally me, because it was my first time, so I wanted to see how it went. When it was my turn to do the 3 circles, I found out that it had been a really good idea to wear long pants and a shirt because I got burns on my knees and elbows from the reaction exercise. 8 minutes and 16 sec. After I had finished the 3 circles, which I had taken quietly, so as not to use all my strength before I had to get up and run.
After a maximum of 6 min. break I had to get on the treadmill and run. I just remember Martin Renshi-dai, Claus and Karsten cheering and encouraging me while I ran, it was really nice to have good support. I had to run at least 2705 m. I reached 2730 m. just by a hair's breadth, because I had given myself 110 % everything I could, so I couldn't go afterwards and I also had to go straight to the washroom to see the breakfast again. But I passed the test so I was really happy.
6 days later, on Friday, it was time for the syllabus test and the freestyle test, which were held in Måløv hall. When we were led into the small hall with the mirrors, Jens Kyoshi said to us: "Kimu Sensei is not in such a good mood right now because he has just been with us other instructors and we have not done very well" (Ed : staged pressure. Kimu Sensei was in a brilliant mood). After that I just got even more nervous than I already had.
When we started with the syllabus test, it went really well, I thought, I didn't fail sometimes or have doubts about anything. After the syllabus test, we were just allowed to take some water and get ready for task fighting 1, 2 and afterwards freestyle with recommended max. 50 %. I thought it was really cool with freestyle, because then you can really try out some techniques, and I also thought it was great fun.
When the 1.5 hours had passed, you were told individually whether you had passed. When I came in and was told by Kimu Sensei that I had passed, I was very happy, especially because I got a lot of praise.
The next day it was time for the summer camp, which was also held in Måløv hall. When the "normal" graduation was finished, it was time for "madness on the cushion". First we had to hit, then kick and finally both. I had bruised some of my knuckles and I could barely lift my arms or walk afterwards. The only thing I remember is the blue cushion and Jens Kyoshi and Christian shouting: come on Mads, you're good, keep going, it looks good. It was also really nice with all the support from the audience who shouted and clapped, it just gave some extra strength to keep hitting and kicking that pillow.
In the end I was finally told that I had passed the 3rd kyu brown belt, it was just really nice to finally have the brown beltJ.
All in all, it has been a really cool experience for the brown belt J.
