Leading from the Dojo: Khan Brothers Earn Black Belts Together

Omar Khan ’27

Five years ago, I began my journey at Karate International. At first, I joined simply to learn self-defense and to stay active, but as I grew older and ranked up, I realized that karate would be more than a sport. It would be a path of discipline, perseverance, and personal growth. As a lower-ranked belt, I was always eager to go to class and wanted to rank up fast. The hardest part of the journey is once you come close to earning your black belt. There were moments when I didn’t want to attend class, and even thought about quitting altogether. Testing for the higher ranks became harder, and I started to encounter difficulties during those periods despite being so close to the ultimate goal. However, I stayed resilient, and my teachers always reminded us that progress in karate is built on consistent effort and that it was important to work through the adversity.

Finally, after four years of constant training, I received my black belt, and it was a great honor to achieve this. The journey was one of the most challenging experiences of my life, but also one of the most rewarding. My sensei would always say, “Be a black belt,’’ well before I ever became one. Technically, anyone could go to a store and just buy a black belt. However, there is more to the belt than the belt itself. To be a black belt, you must work hard and put in the effort, but also display qualities such as honesty, courtesy, responsibility, and perseverance, among others. You have to be a leader, and definitely embrace the Lead From Here competencies of leading self and leading with others. As a Raven, it helped me embrace these qualities throughout my training. The honor of a black belt is a true testament to one’s character. 

When I put my black belt on for the first time, I realized that karate would continue for me and that I was entering a new chapter of my karate journey. Joining Karate International was one of my best decisions ever. I love the dojo, the teachers and students, and all the memories I have made there. I truly believe that embarking on this journey has allowed me to grow as a person and be a leader. I am excited for what’s ahead in my journey and will continue to embrace my sensei’s wise words of, ‘’Be a black belt.’’
 

Azeem Khan ’30

From the moment I learned about self-defense to the first time I stepped into the karate dojo, I always had an ambition to learn. Lead From Here teaches us to be visionary, and five years ago, I envisioned myself where I am today: a black belt. 

My journey consisted of accomplishments and hardships, and in many hardships, I remained resilient. Staying growth-minded was an important part of my journey as a martial arts student. Discipline spanned from showing up for class to putting in my best efforts throughout the entire journey. 

From the day I obtained my white belt, one source of emotion remained in my mind: optimism. I envisioned myself one day, certificate in hand and a black belt around my waist. Finally, after five long years through broken bones, illnesses, and working hard in class, my vision became a reality.

I don’t see my accomplishment as obtaining a black belt; I believe that I earned my black belt.