This year, for the first time in 16 years we were joined by 9th Dan, Grandmaster Chan-Yong Kim, of the Oriental Moo-Do School. He joined with our regular examiners 9th Dan, Grandmaster Nam-Ku Yun, Master Amsell, Spyro Spyropoulos-Spears, of the USC TKD Club, and parent representatives, Ana Herrera and Terri Owens, and Special Guest: Vicky A. Tanner (AMK member 1978-1988) to comprise a powerhouse test board panel. That was important as we were testing Terry L. Owens SBN for 4th Dan, Instructor and Master David D. Johnson, of the Golden Valley Martial Arts/International Seieido Federation, for 7th Dan, High Master.

I arrived at the community center around 7:30am and Terry SBN was already there and let me know he was there 1st and Riley SBN let me know he was 2nd. Some of the instructors starting showing up around 8:00am. I let them start their test at that point in the parking lot. The written test consisted of questions and essay. Riley SBN also assisted in the effort. Dave SBN & his group helped us set-up. Our special Special Guest Examiners and Special Guests starting arriving shortly after 9:30am. All students and instructors made sure to welcome each. I was preparing the examiner sheets and showing Terry SBN how to do it so that he can start to learn how to run the test.

The test began with a special introduction that included speeches from GM Kim and GM Yun. GM Kim also presented Master Amsell with the book "The Way to Go" as a special gift. As a very special memento of this test; GM Kim wrote everyone’s name on his or her dobok in Korean Hangul characters. GM Yun then verified each name. Even though it took a while to complete the job, everyone was thrilled to receive such a personalized gift, and most of the parents came up to photograph the ceremony for their own children. Once the ceremony was finished the formal test began.

The formal test began with Terry SBN taking everyone for a "run in the park". During that time, I started to plan out how I was going to handle the rest of the test since I was more than two hours off my schedule. I did not want to remove anything, but I had to remove some areas because I was not fully aware of how many variables that I would encounter during the test and I wanted to be prepared to handle them.

We moved into Poomsae next. We did Palgwe and Taegeuk forms up to 4th Kub, Blue. To make up for time we skipped to Palgwe 8 & Taegeuk 8, then the yudanja (Black Belt) forms starting with Koryo. After completing the yudanja forms up to Taebaek, Dave SBN was asked to perform Pyongwon & Jitae. After he completed his forms, GM Kim & Yun gave all Black Belts feedback on their Poomsae.

Poomsae was followed by pre-arranged sparring (3 step sparring and 1 step sparring). We then pulled out the mats to do 1 step knife self-defense. After 1 step, we went into ukemi (breakfalls). Due to the crowd-pleasing shoulder rolls at the last test, I decided to repeat it and had Elmier bend over and had the Black Belts and Nathan jump over him and do a shoulder roll. Then I had him stand up and asked who wanted to attempt jumping over his head. Terry SBN and Marcus SBN took the challenge and impressed everyone watching. We finished with face falls.

That was followed by Nage-waza (throws). To ensure that the examiners got a good look, we did one group at a time. This was followed by Dave SBN's first demo of his 1 step sparring and self-defense. This was followed by Osaekomi-waza (pins). We did the transitions 1-5. After this, I decided to give the higher ranks a break and allow the kiddies to do randori. They had to rotate several times to ensure that they had different partners. The final match was Collin Lewandowski vs. Terry SBN. Collin is only 6 years old, but went after Terry SBN from the beginning. I had Jessica Lewandowski (his sister) come to help him with their larger opponent. Then I allowed all the kids to come in an help and working as a team they were able to defeat their larger opponent. Dave SBN went into his second demo with a more escalated version of self-defense against knives and guns. Continuing with the soft styles, we moved into the basic footwork and pivots used in Aikido. To help with the nervousness, I demonstrated a few of the techniques before they performed them. From the outside, it appears that these are "dance" moves, but these techniques are very powerful and are very effective if done right. I even had Dave SBN come in and explain one of the techniques that he did in a demo. I then demonstrated how it paralleled what they were doing in their Aikido basics. Dave SBN did his third and final demo which was against multiple opponents (video). After Dave SBN's demo he received feedback from GM Kim.

That was followed by the demo phase of our test. The first demo was an introduction to an area of martial arts training that Master Amsell learned in the military, but has only recently covered in our class: Rifle Kyorugi. Terry SBN & Riley SBN did the demo with great crowd reactions. The final demo was a kiddie demo. Nathan & Elmier added to their Star Wars Lightsaber duel that incorporated their Kendo and Taekwondo training. It was only fitting that it ended with Elmier (the younger brother) "cutting" Nathan in half. GM Kim asked Nathan & Elmier if they do this kind of stuff at home on a regular basis. Nathan gave the answer, "sometimes."

The final martial art for us to cover was Kendo which Nathan & Elmier already gave an introduction on with their demo. Terry SBN put on the bogu (full gear) to take the hits. Since we were short on time, there was only time for the exercise kiri-kaeshi which is normally performed at the beginning and end of a Kendo session. Only the students and instructors that knew it participated in it this time.

The final portion of the test was kyukpa (breaking). The crowd really got behind the kids during their breaks. Every student was successful in their break. Nathan became the first junior student (8 years old) to break a 1 inch board in over a year. Even Bo Fu was successful in doing the speed break that he was set up to fail. He proved Master Amsell wrong by breaking the board on his third attempt. Due to the last testing, we took a different approach with breaking this time around. We made sure to involve the Black Belts in breaking this time. Dave SBN got the ball rolling with his multiple board break. Forefist punch (1 board), Knife-hand strike (2 boards), Elbow strike (3 boards). Ann SBN was up next with a flying side kick on 2 boards. Riley SBN did his first brick break with a hammerfist (horizontal). Master Amsell successfully did the "impossible" Zero Inch Punch break (video). Terry SBN did his first brick break on two stack bricks (NO SPACERS) with a vertical hammerfist. The final break was one of GM Kim's favorites to showcase at demos: the Fire Break done by Lisa SBN.

We concluded the test with Q&As. Spyro SBN asked Terry SBN the classic job interview question, "what are your weaknesses?", Vicky talked about the important role martial arts training will have on your life forever. Terri & Ana were glad to be part of the board and were excited to watch "the show."

In appreciation for those who came to testing, I made up special baseball cards for all students and instructors in attendance. We finished testing with our formal finish and bow out and then took a group photo. Everyone started getting their boards signed and it became a very bonding experience for all. This is by far one of the best tests that I have ever been part due to attitude, espirit de corps, pace, energy, and spectator involvement. For those that took part in it and prepared so hard to help support Dave SBN & Terry SBN on their continued martial arts journey, your attendance and support is greatly appreciated! One final note: All people who tested should understand that testing is not over until the results are announced. What you do after the actual test could affect your result. Food for thought... -LSA

Don't forget to vote in our new poll!

A few notes about the Black Belts breaking...
Master David D. Johnson - The last time Dave SBN did a break was 2007. Dave SBN has a cervical disc degeneration of C3/4 and disc bulge/herniation C6/7 and received a cortisone injection last week to ease the pain enough to test.

Ann Torgeson SBN - The last time Ann SBN did a break was 1997. Ann SBN has had some knee and back problems over the past few years.

Riley J. Sullivan SBN - The last time Riley SBN did a break was in March for his Black Belt test. He has never done a brick break before. Riley SBN has had severe back problems over the past several months and cannot actively participate in all aspects of the class.

Master Jack L. Amsell - The last time Master Amsell did a break was 2006. Master Amsell has a problem on his middle finger of his punching hand that may need surgery down the line. He also has arthritis which makes several breaks difficult to do because of the strain on the joints.

Terry L. Owens SBN - The last time Terry SBN has done a break was 2006. He has never done a brick break before. Terry SBN has had several shoulder/rotary cuff and hip problems over the years.

Master Lisa S. Amsell- The last time Lisa SBN did a break was 2006.The last time Lisa SBN did a break was before she had a grade 3 (complete) shoulder separation on her striking arm. It was also before her knee surgery that reconstructed her torn ACL and repaired her lateral meniscus tear. She is less than a year removed from that surgery. An interesting note worth mentioning is that when Lisa SBN was in ER for her shoulder separation, the nurse told her she would always have problems doing any shoulder movement such as the one required for the fire break and would probably never be able to do it again.

Special Guest Examiners:
Grandmaster Chan-Yong Kim (9th Dan Taekwondo, 9th Dan Yudo, 6th Dan Hapkido) - Master Amsell's teacher (1972-1987), Lisa SBN's teacher (1986-1987), and AMK mentor. More information on GM Kim can be found at Instructors>Mentors, Instructor>Chief Instructor, Activities>Tournament>JKI 2008

Grandmaster Nam-Ku Yun (9th Dan) - Master Amsell's teacher (1987-present) and AMK mentor. More information on GM Yun can be found at Instructors>Mentors, Students>Testing>Testing 9/16/06, Students>Testing>Testing 12/9/06, Students>Testing>Testing 4/7/07, Activities>Group>Conference 5/17-18

Master Spyro Spyropoulos-Spears (5th Dan) - USC Taekwondo coach and instructor. More information on Spyro SBN can be found at Students>Testing>Testing 12/10/05, Students>Testing>Testing 4/7/07, Students>Testing>Testing 12/7/08, Activities>Group>Conference 5/17-18

Special Guests:
Master David D. Johnson (6th Dan) - ISF/GVMA founder and instructor. More information on Dave SBN can be found at Students>Testing>12/9/06, Activities>Tournament>Feb 18 Clinic, Activities>Tournament>NQ#3 - Anaheim, Activities>Tournament>Training Tourney, Activities>Tournament>Ref 3/3/07, Activities>Tournament>NQ#6 - Fresno, Activities>Tournament>Stanford Open, Activities>Group>Conference 5/17-18

Teresa Langford (3rd Dan) - Prof. Zambetti alumni and AMK "cousin". More information on Teresa SBN can be found at Students>Testing>12/9/06, Activities>Tournament>NQ#3 - Anaheim, Activities>Tournament>Training Tourney, Activities>Tournament>Ref 3/3/07, Activities>Tournament>NQ#6 - Fresno, Activities>Tournament>Stanford Open, Activities>Group>Conference 5/17-18, Activities>Group> Beach Training 8/09

Vicky A. Tanner (1st Kub, Red/Black) - HP Moo-Do Club/AMK member from 1978-1988. Was part of Oriental Moo-Do School/HP Moo-Do Club/AMK demos, beach trainings, and WSDC. Attended Master Amsell's wedding and featured in our 35th Anniversary video. More information on Vicky can be found at Students>Testing>Testing 3/8/08, Students>Testing>Testing 3/29/09, Students>Testing>Testing 7/18/09.

Did you know?
A group of kids vs. one adult has been an AMK tradition since 1989 (started by Master Amsell). Having students, instructors, and examiners sign a board you broke has been an AMK tradition since 1993 (started by Lisa SBN). This is the first time since 2002 that someone has tested for 4th Dan. This was the first time that Dave SBN & Teresa SBN actually participated in our test. This was the first test board GM Kim has attended since Lisa SBN's 2nd Dan Testing (1993). This is the first time since 1993 that AMK students had their names written on their uniforms.