Fall 2026 Black Belt Cycle

Candidate Journals

King Tiger Tae Kwon Do Black Belt candidates blog daily about their journey: their thoughts and feelings, their struggles and successes; their pain and their encouragement. Follow along on their journey; words of encouragement are always welcome!

8/27

today was pretty tiring. I started getting actual school work today. I was honestly feeling pretty sick throughout the day. after i had band practice and we fortunately didn’t go outside bc it was wet. i pulled myself through because i had a stuffy nose and sore throat. after i came home i went to taekwondo class and got a lot of poomsae practice as a well as a long mentor session. that’s all for today, goodnight!

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8/26

second day of school, got to go to 3 new classes. I’m rly liking my 1st block right now. lunch schedule pretty weird though. after marching band i went to my friends bell pooja. really sleepy goodnight!

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8/25

today was my first day of school. my classes are pretty good i like my teachers. afterwards i had marching band practice till 6 and right after i had tkd class where i got leadership credits and a mentee session. i’m trying really hard to keep up with everything im doing and it’s really hard. almost done 5 more weeks! goodnight!

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8/24

today was digital detox day. I only used my phone for sending important texts, email, and journaling. in the morning i went to this deca event where we painted the hallway and i got community service hours for it. after i came home i was trynna figure out what to do so i built this small lego set. Then i read for a little bit and finished my requirements. I was chilling with my dog and just passing time by till my class. i got a leadership credit in and afterwards went on a 2.5 mile walk with my dog and parents. that’s it for today, first day of school tomorrow!! Goodnight!

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8/23

today was pretty chill. i had sparring at 2 and we worked a lot on js counter attacking and using limited factors like only one kick, only front leg and stuff like that. All the people there are pro so it was quite a humbling experience. I do hope to reach their level someday and am definitely gonna keep going after cycle. After I was kinda chilling with my parents and dog. in the evening i baked so stuff js for fun and thats about it. today was my rest day but i did get stuff in from sparring class. I also have been procrastinating on my essays and other stuff and it’s not great since school is starting soon. not happy about that but i’ll js have to pull through. that’s all for today. goodnight!

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8/21

Today my mom came back from her business trip. Didn’t really do much tkd related stuff today. Kinda chilled. I reorganized my room and listened to the new album one of my favorite artists released. The power went out in the morning so that was odd. Tomorrow is my recital so i tried on some dresses. I also went to class today and im kinda scared because my teacher added a new formation literally today. Hopefully everything works out. That’s all for today, goodnight!n

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8/20

Today was pretty normal. The new season of one of my favorite shows came out today so I watched an episode and then did some of my requirements. I also practiced dance because recital is this weekend. Then I was just practicing piano, playing with my dog and chilling. In the evening I went to tkd class to help out. I ended up walking/running home instead of my dad picking me up because i was anyways going to after class. My house isn’t far from class too. But it was a little annoying since I was wearing crocs and had to carry my book, belt and uniform too. It wasn’t planned so not very convenient. But when i got home I just changed my shoes and did a quick mile just to wrap it all up. I lowkey didn’t get a good time if i’m being honest but better than other...

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8/19

Today in the afternoon I got some poomsae practice in and also finished one of my essays. After that I was just chilling and playing with my dog until I had to head to school for marching band practice. Just a normal day, we ran through all our songs and got a new one. After I came home I had like a small break and then I went to black belt class. It was pretty fun today kinda. We went through a bunch of basic kicks and twist kicks and stuff and then self defense and hopkito stuff. It was nice though because I finally did the shoulder throw from hopkito 4 right🥹. Now I have to practice some dance because i have a recital this weekend. Lowkey still haven’t done formations for one part of the song so I’m kinda scared. That’s all for today!

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8/18

Today was pretty normal. After i woke up i did some chores and finished this movie i was watching. Today was my open house and my friend and i are starting a club so we called to make some flyers we could print out and hand out today since we would have a small little booth. I finished my requirements except for run before going to open house. My classes are pretty cool this year and they are all close to each other so good walking distance. I wanted to make it to class today but unfortunately couldn’t. Thats where i get my poomsae and self defense. minutes from and im falling behind on those as well as my mentee and mentor sessions. I’m getting pretty worried. Anyways after i came back i had a simple dinner and was watching watching this cool show with my dad, about to go to...

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8/17

Today I got some good sleep. After J had breakfast I did some laundry and watched TV. Later on I did my requirements and got ready to go on my run. I’ve been seeing so many reels of all these people going on really long runs and having really fast time and I’m over here nowhere NEAR their level. Obviously they are more trained but my mile time has gotten just plain embarrassing honestly. I went on a run around 5:30 and thought i could make it back in time to go to class. Boy was i wrong, It was so hot I had to keep taking breaks and even stopped at a gas station for water, not fun. In total I did a 5k but definitely one of my worser days. Didn’t make it back in time for class and definitely need to find a better time to run. Really...

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8/16

Today I just rested. I had planned to do a run but it was just way too hot and i’m only 1 mile behind which is really easy to make up. I wanted to go to sparring class today but it apparently got cancelled today because they had a competition or something so now I am 3 classes behind yayyy… I got to practice driving though because i drove to my class. After I was lowkey switching between just chilling and practicing piano every now and then. I watched half of this movie with my parents though. It was kinda annoying though because i kept getting reels about running like genuinely my entire fyp was just about people showing off their good running and giving tips like im not already bad enough at it🫩🫩. I played cards with my mom and grandma and got started on one of my essays about...

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8-15

I went to lake norman for my black belt class today and it was nice. After that I had to go toa quick dance rehearsal because I have a recital coming up next week. Then J was practicing piano and i learned how to play champagne coast. My sister left for college today so she was rushing and packing and stuff. After she left I started finishing up my requirements. You would think by now i would be a faster runner but i’ve honestly not changed and it’s hard for me to run faster. Surprisingly i was faster last cycle. I got ice cream and am chilling that’s it, goodnight!

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8/14

Today was finally the last day of band camp. It was fun though because instead of running laps we played freeze tag and since it was a lot of people it was really fun. We also got some nice new music. After I went home and ate and just chilled for a while. I have to constantly keep waiting till the evening to run because it is genuinely wayyy too hot. I went with my sister to run some errands a took a nap in the car ride and it was honestly really nice. I finished a good chunk of my physical stuff during band camp as well except for a my full run(i did half at band camp) I planned to run after my dance class in the evening but never got to it because it got dark really fast and I had some things to do. I had some...

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8/13

Today I got to go to band camp in the afternoon because my band director had something in the morning so I got to sleep in!! After I got up I had to catch up on some pushups so i did that and then did my plank. After eating I went to band camp from 1-5. It’s been spirit week this past week and today was gender swap day so I dressed like a boy and it was funny because all the girls drew mustaches on their face and looked goofy. The band was lowkey playing pretty bad today though, but I still had some fun. We didn’t do pt today which is nice but also not nice because i use those pt minutes for black belt cycle so now I have to go home and do them and I have limited time. So once i got home i finished my...

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8/10

Today I had band camp in the morning. Instead of running on the track we ran around the school. The pt wasn’t too too bad today. I finally memorized my main songs today so that made me happy. I think i’m pretty alright at the dances as well. We are playing for the freshman tmr at orientation to excited for that! When I came home I went to tkd to get a leadership credit in and my friend actually came with me because we had to work on a trifold together since we are starting a club and we have a present a little thing to recruit members. It’s been a pretty long day like usual. But dinner was really good, my sister made pasta and this burrata dip with toasted bread. Still falling behind on some things so once band camp is done I really need to lock in on...

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8-10

Today I had band camp in the morning like usual and it was soo hot today. I’m slowly getting better at piccolo though but flute will always have a special place in my heart. The dances are kinda fun to do as well. I was able to get my physical requirements in though so that’s good. When I came back I chilled a little before calling my friend because we are starting a club together at my school and we had to work on a little presentation since the club fair is coming up soon. It took pretty long but we were goofing off a lot. I definitely need to catch up A LOT on my poomsae and self defense minutes as well as pull ups. Once band camp is over life will be easier. It’s that last week so just pushing through! Goodnight!

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8/9

I’ve been falling a little behind on my journals lowkey. Today I got to sleep in finally and when I got up I was planning on going to sparring class but I had to end up doing stuff with my family. I have time to make it up. Later on I went to the mall and buy some stuff for our house. We had food at the mall and it was reallyyyy bad. When I came back home i had an online meeting and right after I went to watch the odyssey and it was very good. I just came back home, goodnight!

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8/7

Today I had band camp in the morning but only till 12 today. We were out marching in the VERY hot sun for like 3 hours but it’s kinda fun once u get the hang of it. After that I got home and was able to chill for some time. Later I facetimed my friend as well. It was nice to be able to chill after a long time. Then i had dance class and I got chipotle for dinner. That’s all goodnight!

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8/6

Today was a longggg day. In the morning i had a dmv appointment to get my learners permit and me and my dad had to keep leaving and coming back to get some random papers we didn’t know we needed to have. But eventually i tested and i passed!! After that i had some lunch and went to band camp. I didn’t know i could get take the school piccolo home so today i did. I definitely need some practice on certain songs. I came back at 5:30 ish and took a small break to chill. Then I had to go to tkd to get some leadership credits in and a mentor session.  Straight after I had to head to the gym to complete my run and some remaining requirements. I hate running on the treadmill so I ran outside near the gym and when i came back i finished my...

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8/4

Today I had band camp in the morning. Not too much physical stuff today we were practing out songs a lot more. So far I’ve got one mostly memorized. I’m still not the biggest fan of the piccolo however. Playing is pretty fun at least when ur not doing it for realllyyy long. I’m excited to start marching while playing! Anyways, after I came back I took a small chill break before I had to go to tkd class to get some leadership credits in. I was also able to get a mentee session. During camp I was able to finish all my jump rope and sit up stuff and a 1.5 mile run but i still need more miles. I was gonna run after class but it was raining pretty heavily and it was dark and wet outside. Tomorrow we are moving my sister into her apartment where she’s staying...

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8/2

Today was the first day of full band camp. It was from 8-5 and it was strenuous. We had to run 3 laps because 3 people came late. And it was so hot while we were marching. I’m still kinda getting used to piccolo. It was pretty fun but tiring for the most part. Once I came back I had a little snack before getting ready to go to my friends bday party. It was a small but fun party. Pretty packed day, goodnight!

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8/1

Today was my grandmas bday! After I woke up I was talking to her and chilling a little. Later on I had some food and starting working on her cake. I made her a mango white chocolate cake and it turned out pretty good! I went to sunday sparring class for the first time around 2 and it was very different from normal class. We did a bunch of unique exercises and I was among professional sparrers so when it came time for actual matches they were very intense and cool to watch. I learned a lot and am looking forward to next week. When i came home I finished up frosting the cake and we had some people over to have a small celebration. Everyone said my cake was very good. Pretty normal day, my rest day so no requirements today but still pretty tiring because of sparring. Tomorrow is...

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8/1

Today I started off the day with a black belt class. I was definitely able to get a lot of poomsae and self defense minutes in. Later when I came home, I was just chilling cuz my parents were getting ready to go on a day trip. I was practicing my piano and playing with my dog and stuff. My grandmas birthday is tomorrow so I was thinking about baking her a cake. I watched some Tv and my sister went out with her friends. In the meanwhile I was looking at cake recipes. I ordered some dinner for me and my grandma but i ordered it pretty late. Oh i also went on a walk with my dog for 2.25 miles. That’s all, goodnight!

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7/31

Today was kind of a rest day. I wasn’t supposed to take one today since I already took some earlier this week but band camp and the cycle have been really tiring me so today I skipped band camp and got some good sleep finally. I was planning on finishing my requirements later on in the day but my stomach was hurting really badly. I was kinda just chilling mostly but I went to my dance class at the end of the day. That’s it Goodnight!

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7/30

Today was once again tiring. I had marching band camp in the morning and we were running and practicing marching out in the hot sun. When I came back home I ate some lunch and got some nice rest so that was good but I had to finish up my jump rope. Then I was playing piano for some time and just chilling a little before going to taekwondo to help out with a class. Very small class but still fun. Once I came back home I was pretty tired but I still had to do my run so around 9 I did a quick 2 miles and now i am exhausted and I have to do it again tomorrow🫩. Goodnight!

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7/28

Today was very tiring. I had get up at 7 for my band camp which is 8-12 and we were outside doing a bunch of physical training and marching and hen when I came home I didn’t have much of a break before I Had to finish my black belt requirements but at least it was less because of camp. I’ve also fallen behind on my pull ups. Anyways after that, I chilled for a half hour ish and then got ready to go to class to get a leadership credit and some practice in. Not many people today overall but i was able to get a mentee session in as well so that was good. After I got home I had a nice dinner and now im so tired and sleepy so goodnight!(have to do it all over again tomorrow🫩)

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7/27, My bday!!

Today was my birthday!! I went to band camp in the morning and we did some physical training in the beginning and then they kind of gave us a rundown of expectations and things to memorize. It was pretty cool. I took a rest day today so I didn’t really do physical requirements when i got home. After camp, when i came back my mom was setting up some things for my bday party and I had some lunch and showered. One of my friends came early and we were just talking and looking through board games we could all play when everyone came. Some time later more ppl come and we were just playing games, talking and eating and it was very fun!! They also gave me the best gifts🥹🥹. We got some really good food for dinner and my cake was nice too. Overall this is definitely one of...

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7/26

I slept in today and once I got up I had a nice breakfast and was watching a movie with my sister. Then later on I was chilling until my 2 pm sparring class but when I got there for some reason there was no one there and the building was closed. I guess it got cancelled and I didn’t know. Anyways I got home, and practiced some self defense and played with my dog. My bday party is tomorrow so I was planning a little for that too for like food and games and stuff. After a while I went on my run walk  and I’m pretty proud of how consistent I was. I did 3 miles and my pace wasn’t that fast but I pushed myself more than usual so I’m still happy. After that, I got ready to go to Frankie’s with my sister. We weren’t there for...

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7/25

I woke up and went to black belt class first thing in the morning. We were going to go running during class but it was raining so we didn’t🥹🥹(i forgot my sneakers anyway). It was a pretty normal class. Afterwards I came home and was chilling around with my family till lunch and then had some leftovers to eat. After that some hours later I got ready and went to the mall with my mom and grandma and since my bday party is coming up we went to buy some clothes and return gifts. We got some pretty nice stuff and I ran into people I knew which is a give when u go to Concord Mills. Then once I came home we had. a guest over and I packed up the gifts and was just chilling. I had dinner and wrapped up the day. Unfortunately, I’m pretty behind on my pull up’s and a little on my self defense, I also have to make up a run tomorrow which is supposed to be a rest day but today turned into one instead. That’s all for today, Goodni

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7/24

Today was supposed to be my run day and it was going to be a shorter run than usual since i ran extra earlier this week but I wasn’t able to get to it. I went to my friends bday party from 12 to 4 and when I came back I was planning on completing my run and going to sparring but I’ve been missing a lot of my dance class lately for taekwondo and I have a recital coming up so I had to practice that instead of run and got to dance class instead of sparring. I’m thinking i’m going to just go to Sunday class instead of Friday so i’ll be able to manage dance as well. Today ending up turning into a somewhat rest day so I’ll have to make up the run tomorrow or Sunday. After my dance class, I went out to eat with my...

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7/23

Pretty normal day. I was just chilling with my dog for some time and then finished my requirements. My bday is c

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7/22

Hi! I need to remember to start journaling everyday because i forgot yesterday. Anyways today was chill in the beginning because it’s run day so I have to wait till evening when it cools down to go for my run. So until then I was just chilling but around 5:30 I went for a 2 mile run/walk and it was still pretty hot. Right after I took a small break and had to get ready for bbc. It starts at 7:05 and I came at 7:04 but I was still late so I was all the way in the back which felt weird because the other first dance where like 3 rows ahead of me😭. I usually try to come earlier but i also had to go to a bday party right after my class so I had to prepare some stuff for it since I was going to be late due to bbc. I also forgot my staff and sticks so not a great starts for the first week but i still got many more for a redemption arc. Anyways now my legs really hurt and Im going to take a fat shower, goodnight!

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7/20

This is my first journal and I am currently a first dan testing for my second. I honestly have been really dreading the cycle just because last time all the physical requirements were really tough on me. But I kinda think it was because I was so hard on myself with everything, I made my entire life literally only taekwondo and it was lowkey draining. So now I've figured out a way to split up my requirements to make it easier on myself and maintain balance throughout the cycle. Today is run day so I'm just waiting for the weather to cool down a little like in the evening time or something and then I'll do my run. Summer has been kinda boring for me so far so the black belt cycle does give me something to focus on. I also had the World Cup which I watched pretty regularly but...

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