Mr. Franken-Martial Arts Career

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of being there to witness the graduation of martial artist Will Franken, age 14, from rank 3rd degree level 4 black belt to probationary 4th degree. This new promotion makes him the highest rank in the Olathe academy’s youth division. Due to age restrictions, he can’t become a full 4th degree for a few years. This probationary rank is a new concept in the Tiger Rock Martial Arts International (TRMAI) association, created very recently in order to prevent kids from quitting their martial arts training due to having to wait a matter of years before becoming eligible to test for their next belt. Mr. Franken- martial arts students earn the right to be addressed by their last names as a sign of respect for reaching the black belt level- originally began his martial arts career after being influenced by a friend of his. He’s been training nonstop, year-round for the past 6 years. In that time, Mr. Franken has been to about 15 tournaments and won 49 medals.
As they progress through their training they go through various levels of color belts until reaching the popular goal of black belt. Mr. Franken has successfully earned 13 color belts and 13 black belts. He tells me that his newly acquired probationary 4th degree is his favorite rank of all. Mr. Franken and I chatted about his future aspirations. He reports to me that “after getting the full 4th degree I want to head all the way to master.” In the TRMAI association, students are officially referred to as masters after earning the 6th degree black belt rank, something that takes a lot of dedication. Mr. Franken has left no doubt in my mind that he will one day achieve this goal. “I love taekwondo and want it to be my job”, he