Please join us in congratulating Kaitlyn Retzer, Tanner Lafavor and Kenyon Meissel for achieving the rank of 1st Poom.
Ms Kaitlyn has been training at Alliance since 2014, Mr Tanner since 2013 and Mr Kenyon since early 2016; after over three years of training each, they have undertaken the exam for their jr blackbelt.
The three candidates undertook the exam on May 18th, 2019. Ms Kaitlyn finished that day while Mr Tanner and Mr Kenyon completed their unfinished requirements in June and July, respectively. Blackbelt testing is demanding, requiring the candidates to be accomplished in empty-hand technique and requiring the candidates to be able to perform under pressure. The exam took about two hours, wherein the candidates displayed nine patterns and one hundred empty hand techniques, displayed additional self defense techniques and action sequences, and performed nearly twenty breaking and candle techniques.
Testing for blackbelt ranks is a privilege and an honor. It requires years of practice and dedication, and comes only after a student has accepted and done well with added responsibility, and has the recommendation of their instructors and Masters.
