Martial artists test for black belts

Jaymie Kaczmarek and Sarah Wilder recently completed a grueling four-hour test for taekwondo black belt. Sarah, who earned her 1st-degree black belt in California before moving to Oregon, tested for 2nd-degree black belt. Both are students at Outlaw Martial Arts in Sisters.

The test started with a one-mile run from near the Les Schwab store down McKinney Butte Rd. to the then-home of Outlaw Martial Arts at the Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) Coffield Center. Jaymie ran it in 8 minutes 29 seconds and Sarah in 9 minutes 30 seconds. The run was followed by a one-hour meditation.

The next phase of the test was poomsae. Poomsae, or form, is a series of defensive actions and counter-attacks involving blocks, punches, kicks, stances, etc., performed in an intricate and specific pattern. Poomsae is used for training, tournaments, and in testing for the next higher belt level. When a student attains the next belt level a new, longer and more technically difficult poomsae is learned for the next belt test. Sarah performed both black belt forms and random forms selected by the judges. Jaymie performed all eight color belt forms, the first black-belt form called koryo, and a form called pyonghwasevtik, which is performed with a bowstaff.

After poomsae came the "self-defenses," which are defensive techniques designed to repel specific attacks. The black-belt testee creates and performs 10 self-defenses. "Self-defenses should be quick, simple and effective," said Master Marty Kaczmarek, known as Master K, head instructor and founder of Outlaw Martial Arts. Effective was the key especially for Sara, whose "attacker" was her 6-foot- 3-inch father.

Sparring was the next part of the test. Jaymie and Sarah sparred with each other for two 90-second rounds and then each sparred with three opponents at once.

Board breaking is the last phase of the test. The requirement is to break eight boards. Each used six stations and, in one continuous action from one station to the next, broke the boards using various punches and kicks.

"I had the choice to either be nervous and scared or to have fun," said Jaymie. "I wanted this to be fun. I stayed in the moment and I was OK."

"She had an incredible test," said her teacher and husband Master K. "She's my wife, and that actually puts extra pressure on both of us. I have to be careful to not expect her to perform at a higher level than another student. On the other hand I have to make sure I'm not giving her preferential treatment."

Jaymie has been training for three years, a relatively short time to attain a black belt, but she had attended 977 classes prior to her test.

"Most students would average 300 classes to be ready to test for black belt," said Master K. "Jaymie put in lots of work, took lots of classes and helped in a number of them as an instructor. When a student reaches the rank of yellow belt we have them start to do some teaching. You need a deeper knowledge to be a teacher, so becoming a teacher helps your training."

A black-belt test is a major undertaking for both student and teacher. Helping evaluate the participants were guest judges Jim and Adrien Null, both taekwondo masters from Beaverton.

"They're developing some great black belts," said Master Jim Null, speaking of Outlaw Martial Arts.

Prior to testing for black belt, Jaymie qualified for the 2013 USA Taekwondo National Championships along with fellow Outlaw Martial Arts participants Sherri Hermens, Tate Kaczmarek, Brendan Sickau, Kim Manley, Nick Manley, Julie Stotts and Anessa Stotts. Of those who qualified, all but Jaymie will be traveling to Chicago this month to compete with hundreds of competitors from all over the country.

Outlaw Martial Arts was located in the SPRD Coffield Center. For the summer, classes are held in the Sisters Elementary School gymnasium.