Peters Student Earns Black Belt

Crystal Ecker, of , is not a girl to mess with. 

The junior, who is a straight-A student and varsity cheerleader, earned her black belt early Saturday morning at the Dojang Center in Mt. Lebanon.

Ecker is in a class aptly named, “The Black Belt Club,” as it is an advanced class strictly for students who are committed to earning their black belts. She has been in the class for almost three years. The Black Belt Club takes up a large part of the junior’s schedule; she goes to practice three times a week and also commits herself to additional training at the Peters Township . 

In order to earn a black belt, students must test 15 times throughout their training to advance in levels. Each time the student tests, they must demonstrate every pattern, technique and speed drill that they have learned. Included in these tests are sparring, defense drills, Bada Chagi (a timing drill) and power strikes.  The tests are between two and three hours long and are incredibly difficult.

The basic principles that martial arts preaches to its students are honesty, integrity, gentleness, perseverance, self-control and unbreakable spirit.

“Martial Arts has trained me inside and outside of the Dojang,” said Ecker.