King Tiger Black Belt
3130 Driwood Court,
Charlotte, NC 28269
BLACK BELT TRAINING

Fall 2026 Black Belt Cycle

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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!
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Pre-Test Kick Off

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Completed the Fall 2026 Black Belt Cycle pre-test. Overall, I’m pleased with where my baseline performance is after a 10-year break from testing. While my core technique and form felt solid, the pre-test clearly highlighted a few specific areas that will require focused conditioning and refinement over the next few months to get them to testing standard.  Today was a massive reminder of the sheer scale of a black belt cycle. Talking with fellow testers put the collective dedication into perspective. It’s not just an individual physical challenge; it’s a shared commitment to excellence, discipline, and pushing past mental limits. Stepping back onto this path after a decade requires a high level of humility and focus.  

 

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About the author

Shawn Hartle

Shawn Hartle

Shawn Hartle

At 39 years old, I've built a life centered around my Christian faith, my family, and a deep dedication to athletics. As a 1st-degree black belt and an instructor/counselor at King Tiger, I brings my values and expertise to mentoring others on and off the mat. My competitive spirit extends well beyond martial arts, proudly holding two New Age Flag Football Championships and an Upward Basketball Championship under my belt along side my son, Christian. When I'm not coaching or training, I focuses my energy on working out, enjoying sports, and being a dedicated family man. Above all else, I prioritizes quality time with my wife, Lauren, our 13-year-old son, Christian, and other family that is close in the Huntersville/Denver area. I am a devoted father that loves connecting with Christian through our shared love of gaming and friendly competition. Whenever the opportunity arises, as a family we heads out to the water for relaxing days spent boating and fishing. To balance out all that high-energy activity, I proudly considers myself to be a true foodie who loves exploring all kinds of cuisines. Driven by my faith and a love for life, I will bring full heart and dedication to everything I does.

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Charlotte NC, with surrounding areas in Concord, Huntersville, and Harrisburg, is home to King Tiger Tae Kwon Do. A facility focusing on programs in Kids Martial Arts, Adult Taekwondo, Birthday Parties, Summer Camp, and After School programs.

King Tiger Black Belt
3130 Driwood Court,
Charlotte, NC 28269
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