Group of local karate students receive blackbelts
From left, Trista Loftus, 12, Pit North owner and coach Castle Williams, Nick Hawkins, 10 and Toby Jones, 12, take a defensive position after the three students received their junior black belts last week. Photo courtesy of Tierra Loftus
–Three students at Pit North in Atascadero received their junior black belts Friday night. All three have been training for at least six years. Trista Loftus, 12, started training at Pit North when she was six. Nick Hawkins, 10, started when he was four and Toby Jones, 12, was five when he first go into it.
The students, who are all in the Pit Kids 3 class, tested for their black belts over three days. “It was nerve-racking,” Hawkins said. “After it was done, I felt different about everything in life. If you don’t try for something you’re never going to get it. If you go for it, it’s possible.”
The three-day testing period included technique drills, running with 12 pounds of weights, throwing 15-pound medicine balls up a hill and then running to get them and more.
“It was a difficult and long process,” Jones said. “I felt like I’ve been doing this for very long and I deserve it.”
The Pit Kids 3 class is for those 10 to 13 years of age. The class not only teaches mix martial arts, but also self-discipline, self-confidence and esteem, overall health, strength, manners and bully prevention. In the class, the students learn Kempo, Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, intense conditioning and practical strength training. Each week the classes focus on one of the following disciplines: focus, teamwork, self-control, balance, memory, discipline, coordination, kickboxing, sumo, grappling, Hawaiian Kempo and judo.
“It keeps me fit and healthy and I can protect myself and others from bullies and people on the street,” Jones said. “And it’s fun.”
The next belt up from junior black belt, which Jones said is equivalent to an adult brown belt, is getting the adult black belt.
While all the students test every few months for their next belt, Hawkins said that the ceremony for black belts separate from the others to make it more special.
The trio not only trains at Pit North, but they also teach classes as part of the requirement for higher belts.
“High belts are required to come in and teach so they learn how to be role models as well,” said Loftus’ mom, Tierra.
