The TAGB (Tae Kwon-Do Association of Great Britain) hosted their first national black belt gradings since the COVID-19 pandemic this weekend. Twice a year hopeful student from across the UK meet at TAGB headquarters in Bristol to undertake their black belt assessment and be awarded their next black belt grade. Over the past couple of years due to the pandemic, these national gradings have been suspended and held locally instead, however now with the ease of restrictions the TAGB were able to host a national grading once again at their new home in Daventry.
Over 500 students travelled to the Hellidon Lake Hotel in Daventry in the hopes of receiving their Tae Kwon-Do black belts. Participants must perform what they have learned in their years of training in front of 5 Grand Masters, including demonstrating patterns, sparring, set sparring and destruction. Kambiz, from Stourport TAGB, was one of these hopeful students, travelling down to Daventry on Saturday 23rd October in anticipation of becoming a black belt.
Following the relaunch of Stourport TAGB’s club in January 2020 and after countless lockdowns and lack of training facilities, Kambiz stepped up to take the grade.
Kambiz first walked into Stourport TAGB on our first relaunch night, with no intention of training. He had previously trained with Grand Master Dew over 25 years prior in Bristol and decided to come along to observe and relive old memories. After a short conversation, Kambiz decided to give Tae Kwon-Do another go, stepping onto the floor and trying out some of the basics he had learned before. Here is when Kambiz reignited his passion for the art.
Since that day, Kambiz has trained twice a week minimum, attending both Kidderminster and Stourport venues weekly, pushing to regain his previous grade and eventually take his black belt. After 18 months of perfecting his patterns and techniques, Kambiz went for an assessment grade with Grand Master Donnelly. Master Donnelly was extremely impressed with the strength, power, and precision in Kambiz technique, allowing him to undertake his black belt grade in October.
Finally, this weekend, over 25 years since Kambiz participated in his first Tae Kwon-Do class in Bristol, he stepped up to complete his black belt. Grand Master Oliver, Grand Master Dew, Grand Master Sergiew, Grand Master Donnelly and Grand Master Walton, all 9th Degree Black Belts of the TAGB, were impressed with the performance, awarding Kambiz his first-degree black belt.
Instructor, World Master Farquharson commented; “Kambiz has never got an excuse, he is always first to arrive at club and always striving for the best training. He has never once used his age to stop him, performing difficult techniques (including a flying side kick) more precisely and powerful than younger members of the group. Kambiz thoroughly deserves this black belt, he has trained hard and never given up, he embodies every principle of what a black belt should be. I am delighted to have been involved training an individual like Kambiz, and I know he will only continue to develop throughout the next stage of his journey.”
Kambiz’s journey in Tae Kwon-Do proves there are no barriers or discrimination. You do not have to be young, fit, or active to begin. Anyone can train in Tae Kwon-Do. Congratulations Kambiz. Becoming a black belt at any age is a huge achievement, but 67 is even better. Stourport instructors; World Master Farquharson, Georgia Elwell and Toré Lamont are so pleased. We cannot wait to see the next part of your Black Belt journey. Congratulations Kambiz.
