On Saturday, October 19, 2002 on the beautiful campus of Arcadia University known for it’s Grey Towers: A Great American Castle. A new breed on men was about to begin their journey to join the ranks of the Philly Knights. Six men David Haman, Malaika T. Mabane, Mike Armstrong, Kent Darden, Tomar Solomonov and Angelo Solorio were preparing for the fight of their lives, the quest for Sho dan. Administering the test was Shihan Ronald K. Bennett, Sensei Bill Bryan, Sensei Jeff Price, Sensei Marleigh Coleman, Sensei Malik Bebee, Sensei Adam Freedman, Sempai Mark Peeples and Sempai Ken Baskerville.

As the black belt candidates prepared you could see that they were visibly nervous. So what better way to relieve nerves than a good fifteen-lap run? This would be only the beginning of an eight hour-long black belt test. From the very beginning you could see the candidates being pushed to and beyond their limits. Candidates encouraged their brother throughout the entire test. Once the run was finished the candidates continued in their quest for Sho dan. Most onlookers would say that the black belt test was strictly a test of strength. However, in all actuality the physical testing of the body was just the means to get to the true testing, the testing of the heart and mind. In this world we face many challenges, and physical strength is indeed of some value, but only the spiritually strong and the mentally prepared will endure. When the body is ready to quit, your soul must be rooted in your convictions to surpass your physical limitations. The outcome for the quest for Sho dan is not determined by flesh and blood, but by the determination of the soul and strength of your mind. Only the strongest spiritually and mentally will be victorious. The one of many scenes that illustrated this was when the candidates were doing slap hand pushups across the room. Tomar fell short very early on. But with all his fellow candidates and instructors encouraging him and egging him on, Tomar was able to surpass his physical strength one pushup at a time to make it clear across the room to accomplish the goal. The quest for Sho dan cannot be won along. It requires the guidance and encouragement of great instructors and fellow peers. For without good instructors who believe in you and encourage you to reach your full potential, you will always settle for less than your 125% best.

It gives me great pleasure to announce the following Black belt promotions: David Haman, Sho dan TKJR, Malaika T. Mabane, Sho dan TKJR, Mike Armstrong, Sho dan TKJR, Kent Darden, Sho dan TKJR, Tomar Solomonov, Sho dan TKJR, and Angelo Solorio, Sho dan TKJR, Sensei Adam Freedman, Yon dan, S.T.A.R.T Program and Sempai Mark Peeples, Ni dan TKJR.

Congratulations to the newest addition to the Philly Knights.

Ken Baskerville