Congratulations to our new Black Belts.

LeeVanna Mascarena, Mariah Gammill, Nick Christopher, and Rick Pike

Here at Belen Goju Ryu Karate we had a great showing of Adults to help with the 3 1/2 hour Black Belt test for our four new Black Belts, Shodan LeeVanna, Shodan Mariah, Shodan Nick, and Shodan Rick.  It was a great Friday night party at Belen Goju Ryu Karate!

We had great support from our Black Belts here at Belen Goju Ryu Karate to help make this an exciting test.  We were happy to see Sensei Jay Armstrong who traveled down from Taylor Ranch.  We were also glad that Shodan Rick Pike's boys could be here to support Dad.  Shodan Ryan will be graduating this year from UNM with a Bachelor in Science Biology and a Bachelor in Arts Chemistry.  Shodan James is in his second year at UNM studying Nuclear Engineering.

There are eight sections to their Black Belt test.  In this first section they are demonstrating hand techniques and they must not only demonstrate the technique properly but must also explain how to execute and when and how the technique is used.

Completing the techniques on the equipment section with defensive and offensive kicking drills, stomping kicks, and sweeps and takedowns.

Then moving in to the second section of the Black Belt test is showing and explaining the empty hand defense.

Our third section of our Black Belt test is our defense against weapons including sticks, guns, and knives.  Again, the techniques must be demonstrated and explained as if to a beginning student.

Matt work being the next section of the Black Belt test includes falling without hurting yourself, ground movement, defense against ground attacks and tackle attacks.

The Black Belt candidates now perform all kata they have learned from the beginning of their training.  To see the full syllabus of our kata visit our Karate/Kobudo Syllabus page.

The Shinai (a Kendo training weapon) is used in testing at the Brown Belt and Black Belt level to test the students mental strength.  We must never allow pain (or the fear of pain) to defeat us.  The bruises left are a proud badge of honor for what they have accomplished at Belen Goju Ryu Karate.

The Black Belt test completes with sparring all students on the floor beginning with the lower ranks and ending with all the Black Belts on the floor.  The final match is with Sensei Richard as he is testing their fighting spirit and making sure they can still hit with power in the end.

We are very proud of these four students reaching their goal as a Black Belt.  Even though they tested together, they each had to reach this goal as an individual. These students will not be certified and receive their Black Belt certificate till they have served six months as a probationary Black Belt and submitt a 350 word minimum essay about what it means to be a Black Belt to them, why they train, how they feel they have earned this rank, and what their goals are in training from this point.  Because each of these fine karateka arereaching this level as an individual we would like to introduce them as an individual.

Mariah Gammill is a 16 year old Sophomore at Belen High School.  Mariah started training in karate January 9, 2006 and earned her Ikkyu (1st. kyu) on April 25, 2012.  She has had to take breaks in her training as she has been very involved in Band at High School.  Mariah would like to study engineering when she attends college upon graduation from High school.  When asked how her training has helped her she responded,  "It has helped me with my shyness and has helped with courtesy, respect, and staying in shape."  Look for proud Mom, Michelle, who is the Green Belt in line behind Mariah as she is putting on her Black Belt.  Mariah we are very proud of your training and look forward to your certification in October.

Nick Christopher is an 18 year old in his first year of college at the University of New Mexico - Valencia Campus. He is taking his first year classes.  He loves music and would like to pursue a musical career.  Nick started training in karate September 22, 2005.  He earned his Ikkyu (1st. kyu) March 19, 2013.  When asked how he felt his training has helped him in life his response was, "I was in a shell and the training helped me get out of my shell and now I am a leader not a follower and stronger."  Nick, we are very proud of your training and look forward to your certification in October.

Rick Pike is a father of two Belen Goju Ryu Black Belt sons.  He started training December 3, 2005 when his oldest son, who started training when he was 5 years old, moved up into the Adult evening class.  Dad figured that if he had to drive one son and soon the second son moved up into the Adult class also, that he should train.  Rick earned his Ikkyu (1st. kyu) January, 2013.  He is a Project Lead at Sandia National Laboratories.  Rick has a Bachelors and Masters in Ceramic Engineering and also a Masters in Engineering Managements.  Rick's training has taken time to reach his goal because his job has him traveling often.  But Rick never gives up and keeps on training when he's in town.  What also shows his dedication to training is that it has been just him traveling down from Los Lunas for years as his first son, Shodan Ryan, is graduating from UNM with a Bachelors in Science Biology and a Bachelors in Arts Chemistry and his second son, Shodan James, is attending his second year at UNM studying Nuclear Engineering. When asked how karate has helped him he responded, "It has given me higher confidence in all areas of my life and has made me physically better.  I never thought I would get here when I started."  Rick, we are very proud of your training and look forward to your certification in October.Rick Pike is a father of two Belen Goju Ryu Black Belt sons.  He started training December 3, 2005 when his oldest son, who started training when he was 5 years old, moved up into the Adult evening class.  Dad figured that if he had to drive one son and soon the second son moved up into the Adult class also, that he should train.  Rick earned his Ikkyu (1st. kyu) January, 2013.  He is a Project Lead at Sandia National Laboratories.  Rick has a Bachelors and Masters in Ceramic Engineering and also a Masters in Engineering Managements.  Rick's training has taken time to reach his goal because his job has him traveling often.  But Rick never gives up and keeps on training when he's in town.  What also shows his dedication to training is that it has been just him traveling down from Los Lunas for years as his first son, Shodan Ryan, is graduating from UNM with a Bachelors in Science Biology and a Bachelors in Arts Chemistry and his second son, Shodan James, is attending his second year at UNM studying Nuclear Engineering. When asked how karate has helped him he responded, "It has given me higher confidence in all areas of my life and has made me physically better.  I never thought I would get here when I started."  Rick, we are very proud of your training and look forward to your certification in October.

LeeVanna Mascarena is a 17 year old Junior that is Home Schooled.  LeeVanna started training at Belen Goju Ryu Karate September 5, 2009 as a Green Belt.  She came to us after training at four other schools before finding us.  She earned her Ikkyu (1st. kyu) March 19, 2013.  LeeVanna plans on attending Grand Canyon University in Phoenix and studying computer engineering and architectural design.  She enjoys singing with her grandparents in La Pastorella all over the state of New Mexico and beyond.  When asked how karate has helped in her life she responded, "Through karate I have become stronger mentally and physically.  I have learned not to let life defeat me."  LeeVanna, we are very proud of your training and look forward to your certification in October.