Black Belt Test

Today was the black bet test where I was going for my 3rd star out of the 4 that I need to be eligible to test for my second degree. When I got my number the other night at our school, my limitations had been taken off. My Sensei told me not to worry since I am usually in his ring and I emailed him Friday morning to give him the limitations again so that he could take care of the issue. Of course, get to the test this morning and Sensei is not in my ring. There are 3 other instructors, one of whom is a former instructor of mine. Sensei talks with them regarding my physical limitations and I get told that I am going to have to box another star candidate in order to get my star. I was nervous but folks from my school told me it would be okay because my skills are there. I did 2 rounds with a break between the rounds. The Senseis told me that I did a nice job. I went up to my Sensei after the test and thanked him for making me box. He told me he did it to prove to me that I could do it. I told him I need to work on my stamina in free fighting and work with a variety of partners. He also informed me that one of his goals for the year is to get me to start grappling...that should be interesting. I will try it because I trust him and the other instructors in my school that they aren't going to let me get really hurt. We'll have to see how that goes...

My first priority is to let my ankle heal a little since it is really messed up right now and has been for the past few months. I'm going to reduce my training over the next 3 weeks and come back strong in February.