I graded to 4th Dan on 28th August, 2011. I put a few photos on my blog page if you'd like to see them.

In this video Brent Flynn performs Dale Cope Tul, the pattern he devised as the thesis for his grading towards 3rd Dan at Taranaki Taekwon-Do in New Zealand. He wrote: "Dale Cope Tul is named for the legendary artist and scholar Dale Copeland. The 56 movements of this pattern refer to her age when she started TaeKwon-Do. The pattern diagram represents indomitable spirit, evident in her undying dedication to Taranaki TaeKwon-Do, its instructor and her fellow students." I am greatly honoured.

I graded on 10th August '08 and am now a Third Dan!

For my 65th birthday, my Taranaki Taekwon-Do instructor made me this video:

Aren't I the most fortunate person in the world?

Here's the video that our instructor Mr Neill Livingstone put together from the Taranaki Taekwon-Do Black Belt grading.


Have a look at our Club's website, www.taranakitkd.com/ and click on "Profiles and Videos of Taranaki Black Belts".
I'm proud to be in such company.



I'm very grateful to Brent Flynn, my partner for all the Self Defence techniques.

Kirsten Livingston took all these photos.
And also this small movie of a multiple break at my First Dan grading.




Breaking roofing tiles with my hand, during the grading for black belt.

Black belt at the age of 60, Second Dan at 62. Third Dan just before turning 65. Feeling good, feeling proud. Sure, I wish I'd started this martial art when I was 16 instead of 56, but that's O.K. I've never felt fitter or stronger. Or more self-reliant. I'd recommend Taekwon-Do to anyone.

If you've got fast Internet access (don't try it with dial-up!) have a look at this movie
to see me being flung around by Brent Flynne at his Black Belt grading.

And here's a small movie of me breaking tiles. Isn't if weird what people do for fun?



Second Dan grading:
I'd dislocated a toe earlier in the day, but when you're running on adrenalin, nothing stops you.

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