04/08/2025
The Meaning Behind The Black Belt
Hansika’s copy
The black belt - the highest level of achievement, the mark of excellence, the years of waiting. The fights, the victory and the defeats that have shaped me as a martial artist. The black belt is not a rank, although a mark of persistence, discipline and commitment.
I recall the day I walked into the dojo as a tiny fish in a huge pond. It’s a journey that asks for patience, persistence and resolve. I was only a small 10 year old girl, mesmerised by the powerful displays executed by all the children around me. As I progressed, I understood it was more than just a physical after school activity, It was About challenging myself to be better, to be stronger. So I started my journey, a journey that would lead me down a long road of self exploration, persistence and development.
As I moved on through the belts, I started to understand that on the road to becoming a black belt wasn’t just about learning techniques, it was about learning how to master oneself. The black belt means more than a piece of cloth, it means more than years of hard work. I started noticing minor differences, I was more confident and my body was physically stronger. It’s a reminder that no matter what struggles we face, we have the strength and power to overcome.
As I moved on through more ranks, my white belt became a strong memory from the past, replaced by my blue belt. But with each belt that came, I realisedmy journey was far from over. Earning a black belt was not the end, but rather the beginning. A reminder that being strong isn’t always being physical, but being strong from the mind and heart.
You see, I myself am a blue belt, on a journey through the ups and downs of a martial arts road. But as I look at my Sensei as he demonstrates the power behind the powerful black belt. I am struck as they are just another white belt hiding in disguise though more powerful.
You see, in this way, being a black belt is like being a white belt. It’s a blank canvas waiting to be coloured As a result of experience and wisdom. It’s a daily reminder that even the most skilled among us can always learn more whether it's a black belt or a white.
As I stand, I am filled with pride and with appreciation. Pride for the journey that has brought me here, and gratitude for the lessons that I have learned along the way on this very long road. The black belt is not a mark of mastery, but a reminder that true mastery is not about getting something, but about allowing oneself to grow and change.