On Saturday, October 11th, eight students at Cunningham's ATA Martial Arts will have the opportunity to earn their first degree black belts. This is the largest number of black belt candidates in the academy's history and represents our continued growth as a respected member of the Bozeman business community. Testing will begin at 10:00am and is expected to conclude by noon, with light refreshments following.

The students who will be testing for their black belts include Wilson McMakin, Michala Zambon, Trevor and Zachary Martinez, Justin Pratt, Teagan Barndt, Holden Hunts, and Bryan Blair. Ms. Thea Villinger will also perform one of her mid-term exams as a second degree black belt. Of the students who will be testing for first degree, two - Wilson and Michala - have been students at Cunningham's ATA for half their lives! Everyone at our academy wishes this group good luck as they attempt to earn the most widely recognized symbol of excellence in the world - a black belt in the martial arts.

As the first designated 'black belt only' test in our academy's history, this testing will follow a slightly different format than previous black belt tests. Students will first demonstrate their knowledge of songahm taekwondo forms - the series of techniques particular to each belt rank that simulate a combat situation. Zachary Martinez and Bryan Blair, the two oldest students in the group, will be demonstrating ALL of the color belt forms in the songahm curriculum, as is traditional. The other students have previously perfromed some of the forms and will be demonstrating the remaining forms from the color belt ranks.

Following their forms test, students will demonstrate their sparring ability. Instead of mere brutality, judges will be looking for the correct application of a variety of techniques, as well as timing, distancing, and excellent self-control. The final element of testing is board breaking. This element is important as it demonstrates each student's ability to apply given techniques with sufficient power to fend off an attacker. Each student will perform one of the four required board-break combinations in our curriculum, followed by a creative 'specialty break' of their own choosing. Between each element of testing, students will be asked to perform a series of techniques and exercises designed to test both their endurance and concentration.

Family, friends, and fellow students are encouraged to come and celebrate the dedication and effort of these students as they reach for their goal of becomming black belts!