My daughter, Helen Williamson Elliott, a psychologist, has devoted herself to practicing and teaching TaeKwondo for many years. During the last year she has faithfully trained for her seventh black belt test. My husband and I drove about ninety miles to watch her and several others test.
For each belt level, there is a prescribed set of motions, showing fist motions and kicks, backward, forward, and sideways. When a person tests for the black belt, they must demonstrate the motions for each level they have earned, usually comprising four sets. Helen not only did that, but she also manipulated swords.
Not only do participants fight in bare feet, but they demonstrate how to disable an opponent with a big stick as well as overpower someone holding a gun on them. During the test, participants break boards and even cinder blocks as a show of concentrated strength. In this picture she is demonstrating how she wants the men to hold the board she plans to break. She broke several using kicks and her fists.
Not only can I be proud of my daughter, but I don’t have to worry about anyone attacking her.
