Results for the black belt testing held at the main Utica on March 11, 2006.

A Black belt testing in the American Martial Arts Institute is a time to demonstrate knowledge and an opportunity to learn more. After years of preparation and dedication, four individuals tested and earned new rank in the American Eagle Style of martial arts.

Ms. Cynthia Prentice was promoted to Second Dan.
Mr. James Colasurdo was promoted to Third Dan.
Dr. Jamie Howard was promoted to Fifth Dan.

Whether in Japan, Korea, China, or the United States, the rank of first-degree black belt is recognized as one of the most prestigious ranks in the martial arts. In American Eagle Style there are ten degrees of black belt. These degrees are also referred to traditionally as Dan, and first Dan black belt is the milestone of achievement for the normal martial arts practitioner. In the American Martial Arts Institute the average time to earn this rank is five and one-half to seven years.

All American Martial Arts Institute Black Belt Testings are held at the main location and are closed to all students and the public. The judging panel consists of Grandmaster Crandall as head of the school and style and the titled instructors. Students are allowed to talk about their testing and achievement. Numerous areas are tested, and the areas emphasized including the written examinations change with each testing.

The March 11th testing lasted over five hours and required the candidates to demonstrate a wide variety of physical skills including punches, kicks, basic forms, Ippon Kumites, self-defense against empty-handed attackers, knives, and guns, takedowns, sparring against one, two and three opponents simultaneously, oral questions and answers and, most importantly, the demonstration of up to 16 different katas or forms. Each candidate also completed an intensive written examination that lasted 45 minutes. Each of the four ranks at this testing required an increasing level of skill and knowledge. The fifth Dan exam involved self-defense from a seated position, ground-fighting skills, and up to 29 katas that included American, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese forms.

Each level of black belt represents growth in the individual. The minimum time requirement between each rank of black belt varies but can be two to five years in length depending on the rank. This time allows the student to grow. The individual who is testing for second degree or higher has demonstrated that they can physically learn moves and understand the concepts of what the school, style and philosophy is by the fact that they earned their first degree. The difficulty as the individual continues the road of being a black belt student of the arts is in the ability to put into practice as a part of their character and philosophy that which they have learned. As they approach the demanding levels of second, third, fourth degree, their ability to stimulate growth in their school and their general promotion of their art which in turn will allow others to practice and enjoy the physical and mental rewards of the path which they have walked.

CONGRATUALATIONS to all of the individuals who tested and to their instructors in the achievement of these very prestigious ranks. All testings are posted at all training locations as well as on our school web site.

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