Sensei Kwinten

Yesterday was a big day. After 8 years of hard work Kwinten received a black belt in Aikido. There is no Aikido dojo here in Heber, so he has had to remember all he learned in St. George and practice on his own. He has introduced and taught Aikido at the karate studio where he trains now. They invited his Sensei from SG to come up and test Kwinten.

The test was grueling. After 3 hours of deflecting attack after attack and throwing two 6 foot tall guys over his shoulder about 100 times (I felt bad for the guys) he was completely exhausted. It was fun to watch-- It is an impressive art and I was bursting with pride at his skill in all the maneuvers and the fact that he could remember them all. Then Sensei ordered 4 guys (all about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds) to attack him at once. It was the hardest thing he says he has ever done. It was NOT fun to watch and I was bursting with anger. He was literally at his breaking point and had to repeat it 3 times. I thought he was going to throw up or pass out- I have never, in 11 years, seen my husband at such a low point. But he got back up every time. I have never been so proud of him!

That night the dojo celebrated with him by performing at his belt ceremony. Each belt rank performed their signature move. Brennan and the little Lion Cubs did Star Set and Kaeleb and the green belts did Creative Set One. Kwint performed a solo sword tato, Sensei Josh did a Kenpo nunchuk routine and a friend of his performed a Bushi Ban black belt Crane Set.

These are his comrades and some of the kids they teach. A couple of the girls made this sign to cheer him on.


Adam Jenkins, Kwinten, Josh Spray, and Patrick Crosby (Josh is our Kenpo Sensei, Adam and Patrick were Kwint's Uke's-- the guys he tossed) during a water break in the middle of the test.
Sensei Kwinten with his black belt. Way to go Babe!!!