Five students from the Sundre Mountainview Taekwondo Club were recently tested and awarded their black belts.
On April 13 candidates were tested at the Sundre Community Centre on their physical, mental and technical abilities to display competency in all levels of patterns, self-defence, sparring and breaking techniques.
When Cherie Johnson started taekwondo so she could help her three children practise their techniques while getting a little exercise, a black belt seemed a lifetime away. After five years of hard work, sweat and tears, she completed and passed her first-degree black belt test. Johnson is a director on the Sundre Taekwondo Society and also assists teaching classes. She is excited and looking forward to her next journey in taekwondo.
Cherie Johnson breaks three bricks during the Mountainview Taekwondo Club’s test day on Saturday, April 13.
Brenden Johnson started taekwondo when he was four years old. Over the last six years, Brenden has shown that hard work and motivation is the key to success in any sport. He loves to compete and has been to many tournaments in Alberta and Saskatchewan. He is looking forward to training to qualify for the Alberta Junior Black Belt team and to someday becoming a master instructor.
Sandra Hillock watched her children from the sidelines for three years before deciding to “get off the stage” and join. Being able to train with her children and watch their confidence grow in the martial art has been a wonderful experience. She is enthusiastic about starting the next journey in the sport and looks forward to resuming classes in September with her new belt. Hillock is a director on the Sundre Taekwondo Society board and works with the younger students in the club as well.
Tristan Hillock started taekwondo when he was five years old alongside his brother and sister. His strong desire to achieve the goal of becoming a black belt was evident during his training and final test. Tristan’s love for the sport is displayed best in his patterns and breaking. His strengths and confidence were present throughout his black belt testing and training.
From left, Sandra Hillock, Hunter Hillock, Tristan Hillock, Brenden Johnson and Cherie Johnson all passed their black belt tests during the Mountainview Taekwondo Club’s test day on Saturday, April 13 at the Sundre Community Centre.
Hunter Hillock achieved his first-degree black belt when he was 11 years old, and now at 14 years old he is the youngest second-degree black belt in the Mountainview Taekwondo Club. One important aspect of a second-degree black belt test is to display power and confidence in techniques learned since the student’s first degree. Hunter successfully performed his testing requirements including a difficult set of six, two-inch board breaks. Testing for his second-degree black belt shows that taekwondo is a way of life and not just a passing sport.
Master Terri Miller said, “We have had hundreds of students start taekwondo over the past 25 years. But only a few have the dedication and commitment to achieve this level. I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of all these students and am looking forward to working with them when classes resume in September.”
Following the tests and presentations of black belts, about 35 people gathered at Miller’s home that evening to celebrate the club’s 25th anniversary.
Although now on hiatus until classes resume early in September, the club welcomes new members, who can either contact Miller at 403-638-1371, or alternatively follow the group’s social media presence by searching Mountainview Taekwondo Club.
Awards
Best poomsae (patterns)
Tiny Tigers: Kaydence Christoffersen
Kickers: Cedric Poirier
Best effort overall
Tiny Tigers: Fiona Demyn
Kickers: Keegan Christoffersen
