Sisters youth earns black belt

Seven-year-old Tate Kaczmarek, a second-grader at Sisters Elementary School, successfully tested for his first-degree black belt on Saturday. Tate is the son of Jaymie and Master Marty Kaczmarek (Master K). Master K is the founder and head instructor of Outlaw Martial Arts, the taekwondo school at SPRD.

"Tate was ready for his test," said Master K. "He's been working toward this for half his life. He's taken approximately 600 classes. He has taught classes. He has a lot of knowledge."

Judging the test were Master K and Master Jim Null, a sixth-degree black belt, three-time U.S. National poomsae team member and an international poomsae judge.

The test began with a mile run which, according to taekwondo rules for those of any age, must be completed in less than 12 minutes. Tate finished in 8 minutes, 42 seconds.

After the run came a one-hour meditation, which among other things demonstrates self control, one of the five tenets of taekwondo. Then the test in the dojang, or training studio, began with poomsae.

Poomsae is a fundamental and important part of taekwondo. Poomsae (also called form) is a specific series of defensive and offensive moves, blocks, kicks and punches that are performed using precise stances and positions as if fighting imaginary opponents. Poomsae is used by martial artists to work on timing and technique and to demonstrate skill. With each progression in belt level a new, longer, more difficult and intricate form is learned.

For the poomsae portion of his test, Tate performed all eight color belt forms, two forms using martial arts weapons and koryo, the first-degree black belt form. An adult black belt observing the test said, "I've done koryo a hundred times but never as well as that young man."

Next the young candidate demonstrated his knowledge, creativity and self-defense skills with 10 defensive moves which he designed and performed aided by a partner, brown-belt Shawn Kelm. With Shawn as the attacker, Tate demonstrated effective defense against knives, sticks, choke holds, etc.

The grueling test continued with sparring. The sparring is full-contact. Tate sparred one-on-one for two one-minute rounds followed by a round facing three opponents at the same time.

The last task of the test was board-breaking. Board-breaking demonstrates power and technique. Part of the test is how well the student sets up the positions of the board holders for the different strikes he uses to break the boards. Tate set up for eight boards and broke them all using knife-hand strikes, punches, palm strikes, jump front kick, side kick and round kick.

When the test was over the two judges conferred and then announced that Tate had passed. His father presented him with his new black belt and his official black belt certificate.

"Becoming a first-degree black belt is really the beginning of your martial arts training," said Master Null. "It means you're a serious student. I've tested over 500 students for their first-degree black belt, mostly adults. This 7-year-old's performance was above average. He has quality technique and a very positive attitude, which is most important. He did an awesome job."

"I am so proud," said an emotional Master K. "Nobody works harder than Tate. He has fully dedicated himself to get to this point. He exemplifies the five tenets of taekwondo." Those are: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.