I'm moving!- a month before my blackbelt test!?

Question

This sucks! I have to move I have been taking my style of karate for 8 YEARS. I was going to test for blackbelt in september. I am moving to New York in August. They have my style there but the dojo would be a 3 hour drive and I would have to fly to a different state for my test. What should I do?

Answer 1

dont give it up no matter what you do

i did tae kwon do for 10 years

and left before my 3rd dan black belt i miss it and if you stop before you get your black belt because your so close you will regret it. find a way kid.

Answer 2

Go back to your former hometown in September and take the test. If that isn't possible, take an online Black Belt class.

Answer 3

I would agree with asking your Sensei if you can test early. Definitely explain your situation and why you want to test with them instead of anybody else. Having practiced diligently for 8 years should say something, not to mention that you wouldn't be testing (in a real system) if your Sensei didn't feel you were ready to move on.

As far as people saying rank doesn't matter. Rank shouldn't be the GOAL, but aside from that it does indeed matter. It's the visible status/skill symbol. Same thing as rank in the military, and LE. Unfortunately there are a lot of fraudulent dojo in the world slandering the Dan ranks.

edit- If you can't coordinate with the style head for an early test I would suggest (when you can afford it) to coordinate a time down the road to travel and test there. If your Sensei knows that you've been practicing even though you've been away then it shouldn't be a problem. So, I would sign up to some other gym or basic karate class just for training partners and other views, explaining to them that you need help to continue your training in the system you've started. It might be akward but if the instructor has any self respect then they will help you in order to maintain the traditional sense of the martial life. I've done it before and after three months of being away two days after I made it home I was back in karate class and all the students (only 5/6) talked to Sensei about how it was like I never left.  I kept in touch with Sensei through email and phone conversations which helped with any questions I had and he knew I was working hard all the time.

Good Luck!!

Answer 4

Ask you sensei if you could have an advance private test. Explain your situation to him and the hardship you will encounter of taking to BB test.

Good Luck !

Answer 5

Ask to test before you leave. Explain the hardship and express the desire to continue to train and give back to the art. I believe most masters would help you out. Don't expect the new school to test you or give an automatic blessing to your undecided belt. They would want to train and test you at least to satisfy themselves you meet their criteria for black belt. If you get your black belt before you go you will be able to keep that rank when you go to a new school in the same system.

Answer 6

Honestly, belts don't matter at all. As long as you know you are good, then thats fine. If you really want this belt then find a dojo near-by that teaches your style and join their. See if you can get an evaluation test er something.

Good Luck!

Answer 7

I can only say that that sucks

I'm looking at passing my grading in about a year from now so I can understand how you feel.

I can only advise to try to find a way around the problem, and to try to get there if you can.