Black is the New Black

It was a great weekend, long awaited.  Five of my students, many who had been with me from Day 1, tested for their Kadua Guro (1st degree black belt) ranking in Kali Majapahit this past weekend.  As their teacher, their guide, their friend and brother, I couldn't be more proud.  To date, every single black belt in our system (including me) has been personally tested by the founder, Punong Guro Fred Evrard, to meet his exacting standards of excellence.

As per the KM website, there are only 32 active black belts in Kali Majapahit worldwide (now 37).  It is an elite brotherhood of experts committed to making themselves, each other and the world a better place.  We focus on martial arts, health, and personal development as the key areas of growth we use to achieve success in our lives on our own terms.  We share this method with everyone regardless of race, creed, color, nationality or social status.  All are welcome to join our family. We are all ONE. We are all connected.

The test is very difficult.  It usually is done over a weekend, and includes a written test as well as a practical exam.  KM black belts need to recertify every two years minimum to retain their ranks.
The physical part is formidable, including single/double stick flows, empty hand from all subsystems, boxing/kickboxing and knife defense.  Testers are pushed to their physical limits and beyond to see if they can find the willpower and determination to continue even when they are exhausted.

The test always includes "the Circle", where the each tester is put in the center of a ring of other students and black belts who assist.  Again and again they must fend off any kind of attack, including stick, knife, empty hand and continue to do so until told to stop.  It is an incredibly high-stress experience.  Later, they do boxing/kickboxing sparring with a sequence of opponents as their energy gets drained away...shaken, they continue on for nearly two solid hours.

Despite the stress and pressure all the testers performed well and got extremely positive feedback.  More importantly, even under stress they responded WITH CONTROL, and no major injuries occurred.  Rather than passively waiting for attackers to attack, each tester proactively engaged them, controlled the situation, and ended the encounter decisively.  As their instructor, I was convinced in a real self-defense scenario, these men would have been able to defend themselves and their loved ones from harm.  Forged in fire, they earned their black shirts.

Throughout their time as Kasama (assistant instructors), they have demonstrated leadership and maturity, and it has been a pleasure to see them advance their careers, find partners, start their families, and deepen their relationships with the people around them.  They shine brightly, and I like to believe their martial arts has given them confidence to be more...THEM.

Some have said that the martial arts is a lonely path, a lifetime struggle against ourselves to overcome our weaknesses, our limitations, and our doubts.  Instead, this group has shown that it is a fellowship, a brotherhood, a FAMILY that connects us and inspires us, that supports us and encourages us to be our best and to push past our old selves into new growth and awareness.  We are at once both learners and teachers.  More importantly, we smile, laugh, joke and HAVE FUN.  It is not enough to survive; we must THRIVE and prosper.  We do.

It has been a great honor to guide these Kadua Guros to this milestone in their journeys, and I have learned as much from them as they have from me.  Together we have built a strong Kali family here in Tokyo, where everyone is welcome to come and better themselves.

I ("We") will see you on the mats.

Pugay Po.