On Thursday, April 5th Alliance program director Master Devon Waldron undertook the exam for 5th Dan. According Alliance a rare honor – and privilege – Grandmaster Eric Greenquist traveled to Bismarck in order to hold a public exam in the Alliance studio. Given that most exams at the blackbelt level and above are generally closed exams, this honor speaks well not just of Master Devon as an exam candidate but also of Alliance as a martial arts school.
To achieve the rank of 5th Dan, the candidate must master new degrees of precision and must have shown that in the time since achieving the rank of 4th Dan master that they have been a worthy custodian of the martial arts. Master degrees in martial arts are analogous with academic master degrees in that the holder of such a degree is considered to be highly knowledgeable and proficient in the subject area, and has put a lot of time and effort into achieving the degree. In the case of a Kukkiwon 5th Dan master degree, it represents an additional five or more years of teaching and training beyond the time already put into achieving the 4th Dan master degree. Master Devon Waldron has been training in martial arts for over twenty-seven years, and achieved his 4th Dan master degree in 2012.
The exam was conducted at the Alliance Taekwondo studio in Bismarck, ND on April 5th, at 6:30 PM. The exam was administered by 8th degree Grandmaster Eric Greenquist, president of the United States Chang Moo Kwan Taekwondo Union, as chief examiner. 6th degree Master Linda Catalano and 6th degree Master Ken Sorenson were present as sitting examiners. 5th degree Master Mike Scharnowske directed the exam, with 4th degree Master Charles Smith assisting. The exam included multiple patterns, hand to hand fighting techniques, board and brick breaking, candle techniques, sword techniques and academic material.
Alliance would like to extend a very special thank you to Grandmaster Eric Greenquist for holding the open exam in the Alliance gym, and thank the guest masters and blackbelts who made the trip to help and to witness. Another special thanks goes out to the students and parents who put in extra time helping the Masters and instructors clean and prepare the studio for Grandmaster Eric’s visit.
Master Devon Waldron completed his exam successfully and has been promoted to Kukkiwon 5th Dan. Please join us in congratulating Master Devon Waldron! 필승
