"I was very impressed with the students," Ireland remarked at the conclusion of testing.
Approximately 65 students tested for rank in front of a panel of black belt judges, including Mr. Ireland. Students demonstrated the material they'd learned over the past 10 weeks including self-defense, one-step sparring and board breaks.
Jacob Cornish (age 13), a black belt that had struggled with board breaks in the past, absolutely stole the show. Approximately a year ago, Jacob no-changed at his first-degree black belt testing because he had difficulty breaking his boards. At the age of 12, male students are required to break blue boards (equivalent to a 1" thick 12"x12" board). Jacob had a very easy time breaking blue boards at testing, so Mr. Ireland told him to do the same breaks, but use brown boards, which are normally required at age 16.
"I was so nervous when Jacob set up the brown boards," school owner Nick Zorn said.
After bowing in, Jacob squared off, went to break and effortlessly broke the first board, then the second. The entire testing went wild with excitement.
"Seeing Jacob overcome his fear is the best part of my job," Zorn said.
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Family-friendly martial arts school in Oswego, Illinois that offers programs for both kids and adults
