Today was a special day for my son in Taekwondo. Today he earned his "Recommended Black" belt from the American Taekwondo Association (ATA), the largest martial arts organization in North America, and which has over 300,000 members worldwide.
Recommended Black means just that, that he has been recommended for a black belt, but he will likely spend the next 6-12 months earning his 1st degree black belt. He'll need to demonstrate any/all of the 9-10 forms he has learned over the last 2+ years, he'll need to write an essay about Taekwondo, he'll need to answer knowledge questions about Taekwondo and the ATA, and he'll also have to break the appropriate boards, and demonstrate proficiency in sparring and weapons.
He has been studying under Ms. Jiroch, a 4th degree black belt, 2011 ATA World champion in forms and second place in 2011 ATA World champion in weapons, and who is the owner of the studio and primary instructor.
Herb