What's the hardest part of getting your black belt?

The goal almost certainly everyone or the majority of new Judoka is to one day achieve their black belt. Everyone grew up watching Martial Art movies and dreaming of doing the moves whilst looking cool wearing that glorious black belt. There is one significant problem though... it doesn't just get given to you.

Judo is a Martial Art were the pathway to a Black Belt is clear.

1) Attend training and put in your time

2) Study your craft complete your gradings

3) Go through the hard yards... randori, randori...

4) Compete in your grading once your a Brown Belt

There's a little more to it, but that's the basics...

Structure to your grading gives you control of getting there and some way to measure your progress.

We've been very fortunate recently that we have had 3 new Black Belts in Abbey Judo Club. 2 of them have been with us since they were wee kids. It's fantastic watching kids develop into young adults, going through all of the hard miles of competitions and training sessions.... maintaining their discipline and achieving their goal... so many don't!

The other Black Belt is a father who came each week to watch his son train. He took him to competitions all over Ireland and then one day decided... I'm going to give this a go! Several years later he too achieved his goal through hard work, resilience and dedication.

In short, to me. One of the easiest ways to understand how to get your Black Belt is to simply understand and appreciate that the hardest thing about it is... sticking at it!