Green2Black Impressions – 12 April 2014

I was not sure what to expect when I rocked up to the Platinum Taekwon-Do Claremont Do Jang for my first ever Green2Black session. The fact that it was compulsory to attend at least two sessions in order to grade for your next level suggested that coercion was needed because there might be something vaguely hideous about the experience.

I had graded to 6^th Gup the week before and fully intended to skip that first session in April. However, I train at the Maylands Do Jang with Sabumnim Michael Hayward and he assured me the sessions would be valuable and that I should make the effort to go.  The funny thing about getting a green belt is that you start to feel you really have to step up to the plate, so I took his advice and was glad I did.

First of all, I want to stress it was great fun, but it was fun with a serious message. From here on in, if you want to go further and aim for that coveted black belt, you really have to commit to your taekwon-do training.

It started with a pep talk from Sabumnim Paul Raymond.  It was along the lines of taking responsibility, whether it was for bringing you syllabus certificates with you, ensuring you had your mouth guard so you can participate in the sparring routines or for the guys, making sure that you wear that all important box to protect the family jewels!  The pep talk set the tone for the rest of the session.

The warm up was fun, but it wasn’t long before we were into the sparring tuition and practice.  I already knew I suck at sparring.  My footwork is too slow, I’m not fit enough, I’m overweight and I duck when I should weave and weave when I should duck! But despite all that I really enjoyed the sparring routines at the Green2Black session.

Now I sweat.  I sweat a lot.  I am a black belt in the art of sweating.  It’s made worse by wearing a protective helmet and so I suffered with the heat, but I was glad of that protection.  I am pretty sure I was kicked to the side of the head four times and once to the mouth.  I won’t mention the number of punches I took on the nose…thanks very much Tarquin!

But it was all controlled. It didn’t hurt and it taught a lesson.  I am pretty sure at the next session I will do a little better and I am really looking forward to it.

I highly recommend Green2Black.  You will work hard – like a dog actually – and you will learn a lot, but most of all you will have fun and the sessions will definitely supplement your work in your various Do Jangs.

Martyn Boyle, 6^th Gup