16/03/2026
I spent Saturday with some truly amazing and inspiring people at the K*k Sool Won black belt training workshop in Norwich.
Martial artists I’ve trained beside for years, sharing skills, knowledge and experience. Friends I’ve known, in some cases, for decades.
I learned a lot. I always do. I helped where I could, and people helped me. That’s what we do in this community of ours. It’s why I love it. It’s why I’m still studying, teaching and training after nearly 29 years.
When I started, I never set out to achieve anything. I just wanted to learn. Then as time passed, I learned more, and moved naturally through the ranks, until in due course, I was awarded my first dahn black belt.
I never thought I’d get there.
But I stuck to it, learned, practiced, taught, and slowly, steadily advanced.
When I reached 5th dahn I thought I’d reached as far as I could. Further than I ever felt possible.
Then on Saturday, I was surprised to be invited to start testing towards 6th dahn, along with others from my ‘graduating class’.
This is a massive milestone.
I’m deeply honoured and humbled by this invitation. A little daunted and apprehensive too if I’m honest. But grateful too for the opportunity. And very pleased to be amongst such great company for this next prestigious step on my journey. I won’t name them, they know who they are and it’s up to them to share their news, or not to share it. And they know that I have great respect and affection for them. They’re a terrific bunch. We will face this next challenge together as we have faced all the others, with determination, with humour, humility, hard work and solidarity.
Thank you K*k Sa Nim and Chong Jae Nim for this tremendous honour.
