Grueling Eight Hour Karate Test Delivers Five New Blackbelt Students

FAYETTEVILLE, NY. – After a grueling eight hours of testing, Lawrence World Class Karate (LWC Karate) has awarded five of its students their coveted black belts. A blackbelt degree is also referred to as a ‘dan’ or grade and it reflects a student’s overall karate competency.

Brothers Isaac (14) and Benjamin (12) Bloom and their friend Takeshi Schmeller (12) received their junior black belts, Matthias Irby (14) received his second-degree black belt, and Eric Marcal received his second-degree adult black belt.

The test took place on Sunday, October 20th , and commenced at 9am with a stamina-focused fitness test. Some of the things that students had to do included keeping their arms extended horizontal to the floor for a minimum of 10 minutes, three sets of 50 push-ups, 50 sit-ups, and 50 burpees, 10 minutes of jump roping, as well as additional exercises. The students then proceeded to kumite sparring (a controlled, competitive fight using basic techniques delivered with “empty hands”). Once this was completed, they moved onto kata (choreographed set pattern of movements). The katas included kubudo (weapon systems) such as bo staffs and sais. The Bloom brothers and Takeshi completed 28 katas. Matthias performed 36, and Eric successfully executed 41 katas.

“We have a saying in our dojo ……., a black belt is a white belt that never gave up,” says Hanshi (Master) Rande Lawrence, head teacher at Lawrence World Class Karate. “Tenacity and having the will to succeed is what makes a karate student successful. All our students are taught that their most important strength is their inner strength and when combined with courtesy and respect, anything is possible. I am very proud of our students’ great achievement. The test was by no means easy, and they did exceptionally well.”

The Bloom brothers and Takeshi had their first lesson together at LWC Karate more than six years ago. During Covid they learned via Zoom with Hanshi Lawrence, pivoted to outdoor classes in both Beard Park and the front garden of Takeshi’s house in the spring and summer. They also had a karate belt test during the pandemic on a frigid December day in the parking area of Wellwood Middle School – the temperature was 41 °F.

Matthias started at LWC karate when he was in kindergarten and has been a student at LWC karate for 10 years. His favorite kata is Sai Yon Ho.

Eric Marcal underwent his first black belt test at the dojo and was previously a student at dojos on Long Island, NY and in Oswego, NY. He is currently studying for his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Renshis’ Gary Guidera and Holly Eich assisted Hanshi Lawrence for the entire test.

Lawrence World Class Karate dojo is the only karate school in Central New York specializing in traditional Japanese Shotokan and Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate Systems. A number of adults and children with an array of physical and mental challenges and disabilities are students at the school. One of the dojos’ students, who has Down Syndrome, earned his 5th-degree black belt, which is believed to be a first in the USA.


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