Two new local 'Black Belts'

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 28, 9 December 1986, Page 16

Two new local 'Black Belts'

T wenty-eight-year-old National Park Primary School teacher Alex Holes and 12-year-old Ohakune School pupil Mario Mareikura were awarded their Shodan (lst degree) Black Belt in Wellington on 29 November. But like all Whanake Rangataua Karate Black Belt gradings it was a test which they will never forget. Alex joined Whanake Rangataua Karate 3 years ago having already gained rankings in other Karate systems. Mario has been training continually for over eight years with the Ohakune Club. Both Mario and Alex were part of a contingent of seven who were also trying for their Black Belts, two of whom were Juniors like Mario. With five chief instructors conducting the overall assessment, a multitude of other Black Belts ensured that the candidates were constantly pushed to their limits. Commencing at 1 1am the assessment wound down at 4pm after a session in which no rest whatsoever was permitted. After completing various sets of Kata (patterns etc.) the stamina test was carried out. Each candidate was assigned to several other Black Belts, who ensured

that various exercises in sets of 1,000 were carried out with maximum effort. The steady flow of fights were hard and torrid and very demanding. Other Black Belts made sure that the candidates had to work (or survive) during their free fighting and things became more demanding when, for the remaining two hours, each candidate was pitted against two, three and four others at a-time.

Being pushed past the point of exhaustion is something that few in the Martial Arts world ever experience. The training, discipline and endurance that various systems promote, instils and nurtures tremendous spirit and the will to survive. The will to survive and the power never to surrender is alive and well. Congratulations Alex and Mario.