Local Teacher Participates in The Ultimate Black Belt Test The Toughest Black Belt Test in the World

Local martial arts instructor, Adam Robinson, is one of only 30 people on the planet participating in the worlds most difficult and challenging martial arts black belt rank examination -- the Ultimate Black Belt Test.

Louisville, KY (PRWEB) May 4, 2005 -- The Ultimate Black Belt Test -- the first of its kind -- lasts 13 months and requires extensive daily physical training, meditation, and dieting. Over the course of the test, each participant must complete 52,000 pushups and sit-ups, 1000 rounds of sparring, 1000 repetitions of a kata" (a fight with an imaginary opponent), 20 hours of kickboxing, a self-defense course, and 1000 Random Acts of Kindness. Then they go to breakfast," laughs the tests designer, veteran martial arts master, Tom Callos of Placerville, CA. This is what being a master-level martial artist is all about --living a 'fitness lifestyle and defending oneself from complacency."

Callos has designed the test as a solution to what he sees as a deterioration of values and leadership in the martial arts industry. Advanced black belt ranks (most styles of martial arts have nine black belt levels) should be earned by accomplishment not by political affiliation. The black belt, at any level, should be more than an indicator of someone who has 'been around for a long time; it should be awarded for mastery of the technical aspects of martial arts. Whats more, the black belt should be a sign of a centered, selfactualized person.

"Robinson, who has been teaching martial arts in Louisville for 7 years, says hes both honored to be one of the 30 -- and in awe of the responsibility. Sure, Im shocked by all of the requirements," chuckles Robinson, but just the act of committing to the test has already brought me good fortune. Im finding resources and strengths I didnt know I had."So of all the requirements of the Ultimate Black Belt Test (test requirements can be seen at www.ultimateblackbelttest.com), which one does Valentine consider the mostchallenging? The diet for sure. I love to eat." To see bios, read the weekly training journals for the 30 participants, and to get more information, visit the Ultimate Black Belt Test website or call Adam Robinson at (502)240-6173.

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