Years of hard work boiled down into one afternoon on Saturday, December 16, for the Tae Soo Do black belt candidates in the 2006 winter class!  Philip Smith, Eric Sell and Chris MacLaughlin all put their best feet forward, smashing boards with jump kicks and raining axe kicks down on each other’s heads.  Though they had only a few graduates in their class, the support that they received was tremendous.  Besides their families who showed up to beam with pride at their accomplishments, many of the Tae Soo Do and Hwarangdo student also filled the dojang to congratulate them.

Beyond their board breaks, Mr. Sell and Mr. MacLaughlin treated the crowd to “a battle of giants.”  Both men stand well over six feet tall, and as such, their blows strike high and hard.  From the roar of the crowd, it appeared as if two mountains had become mobile and were engaging in a duel to the death!  Not to be outdone, Philip displayed his skills, demonstrating his half-black form and long staff form to the spectator’s delight.  Everyone on hand, from Susuk Kwan Jang Nim to the guests enthusiastically supported the candidates, and for the two who will be moving on to Hwarangdo, welcomed them with open arms.  It was a great afternoon, and another step along The Way.