I've heard other martial artists quoted saying things like 'A black belt is a 2 inch wide belt'. While accurate in physical description, such comments belittle the effort, dedication and commitment that Karateka all around the globe make towards their progression in the art.
Being a black belt doesn't mean you're a good fighter ... and if that's your sole reason for taking up the art then something's missing from your Karate - something very important.
Being a black belt doesn't mean that you're invincible, there's always someone better than us at whatever we do.
Being a 1st Dan (1st degree) black belt doesn't mean that you're a master of anything.
Being a 1st Dan in the KUGB means that you spent about three years of your life studying Karate. It means that you persevered, you motivated yourself and at the end of it you became an able student.
When I achieved Shodan (1st Dan) I remember feeling like a fish out of water. There's a whole new syllabus to learn and two years of preparation in further training before I'm eligible to attempt a Nidan (2nd Dan) grading. In addition, there are different things to learn about the syllabus that you studied in the first three years ... moves, combinations and techniques that are seen and practised from a different view point.
When you reach Shodan (get your first Black Belt), the learning begins.
Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu
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