An Academy of Black Belt Excellence
Kernow Tae Kwon-Do Academy has Academy of Black Belt Excellence status in that:
1. Students only grade when they have achieved a high rate of technical and theoretical knowledge in Tae Kwon-Do. This ensures that once they reach black belt, they are technically proficient in all aspects of Tae Kwon-Do training.
2. There are no short cuts to black belt. Students displaying exceptional ability can reach black belt with three years of continuous dedicated training. Usually, however, it takes around three and a half to four years to reach black belt. This ensures that a student is both physically and mentally prepared to undertake their black belt responsiblities.
3. All black belt gradings are held under a panel of very high-ranking Tae Kwon-Do expert teachers and Masters. The panel will generally consist of five 5th Degree Black Belts and above, and there will also be a World Champion Competition Fighter representing the modern side of Tae Kwon-Do. The current panel is:
Mr Tony Sewell, 6th Dan - undefeated World Champion
Mr George Cockburn, 6th Dan - GTI National Secretary
Mr Francis Plunkett, 6th Dan - head of GTI Ireland
Mr Paresh Bhadeshia, 5th Dan - GTI Chairman
Mr Gordon Slater, 5th Dan - GTI Southeast Area Rep
4. Our black belts are credible. They have the experience and knowledge to teach all coloured belt students. They have the professionalism to be true ambassadors of Tae Kwon-Do. And, they always put the physical and emotional welfare of the students first.
5. All students are automatically registered on the Black Belt Academy of Excellence Programme when they join Truro Tae Kwon-Do Academy. At Black Belt level, they will follow an advanced Black Belt Development Programme, which goes beyond the normal training syllabus for Black Belts.
It is this Academy of Black Belt Excellence Programme that ensures that our Black Belts are truly proficient martial artists, able to protect themselves and those around them from harm, and striving to make the world a more peaceful and tolerant place.