The weekend before Thanksgiving, our two boys had their first test at the taekwondo studio where my husband and I had started them this past summer. They were testing for their high white belts. Although our 8-1/2 year old son had gotten as far as green belt at his previous studio, he started off at white again because he had taken a break from studying taekwondo for nearly two years.
Even though our 5-1/2 year old son needs to work a little on his attention span, he did pretty well. He did seem to be distracted by the presence of my parents, sister, and brother-in-law. Our little ham was putting on a show for them.
(Click any photo to enlarge)
This was also our younger son's first experience with breaking boards. He was able to break a board with his hand using a palm strike and one with his foot using an ax kick. He was so filled with pride after that achievement. I think it really helped to build his confidence.
Our 8-1/2 year old son tested with the older group. He has always had good form and very high kicks.
He broke through not one, but two boards using a hammer fist. Breaking boards is not his favorite thing to do because he says that it hurts sometimes, so I know he was very proud of himself that he could break through two.
He also broke two boards using an ax kick. He didn't get it on the first try . . .
. . . but those two boards didn't stand a chance on his second try.
That was one proud day for everyone all around. Both boys cannot wait for the day of the belt ceremony to arrive so that they can retire their white belts.
