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鈥楢 black belt is something you become, not something you wear!鈥�

5 November 2018

20-year-old Zarah became the youngest karate black belt in Europe when she was only seven. She’s now a 4th dan and teaches several classes a week.

In this video for The Social, she explained what a black belt really means to her:-

The True Meaning Of A Black Belt!

A black belt is about so much more than fearsome fighting.

“When I tell people what I do, I usually get the same response: ‘Wow, that’s amazing. I’d better stay away from you then!’”

To Zarah, the idea that you have to be a fearsome fighter – or be able to break bricks with your head – to being considered a black belt is impressive... but false.

The black belt is more about internal growth and discipline than it is about fearless fighting.

“The discipline, indomitable spirit and perseverance: that is what it takes to make it from white belt to black belt — which is much more impressive to me than someone’s ability to break boards.

“Most people can’t stick with anything for just a few weeks, let alone three to four years of constant practice. It’s during this time that we learn that martial arts is really about self-improvement and not just self-defence.”

Zarah notes that students who earn their black belt see it as the beginning of their training and not the end, that a black belt is just a worthless piece of cloth if you aren’t living its dedication, ideals and values.

“Anyone who wanted, could go [online], spend £30 and get a brand new black belt in the mail.”

As the saying goes, “A black belt is not something you wear, it's something you become.”