9-year-old finishing his training in Raleigh to earn his black belt

RALEIGH, N.C. — Beckett Pleasants studies under Master Hong and Master Won at the Master Chang’s Martial Arts Falls River location. Master Chang’s program started in Raleigh in 2009, focusing on self-defense, confidence, and goal-setting skills. He began attending the Falls River location of Master Chang’s when it opened at the end of 2018, coming over into this program as a Yellow Belt. He enjoys the program as it is welcoming, and they always make him feel good to be there. “I have a lot of fun while I’m learning new skills. I take classes each month in board breaking, sparring, nunchucks, sword sparring, leadership, Taekwondo forms, and self-defense,” Beckett shares enthusiastically. He enjoys that it is a year-round sport that keeps me active and in shape.

The Masters are the main leaders of all the high belts (Red Belt and up) students, and the higher-belt students assist them. Beckett is part of the leadership program where he assists lower belt students in helping them with training and gaining confidence.

Beckett also enjoys the tournaments. In October 2019, he entered his first in-house tournament, where he tied for 1st place in board breaking. Unfortunately, COVID stopped further tournaments, and they have not started back up yet, but he is excited to enter a tournament again one day.

Beckett started Taekwondo in October of 2017, starting in the Tiger Tots program with Master Amerson. He states, “When I first started taekwondo, I remember my very first goal was never to quit!”

At nine years old, he is finalizing his training to become a Black Belt this month. Earned Belts over the years and seeing progress kept him continually pursuing, never giving up on reaching his goal of Black Belt. Expounding, he shares, “I keep all my belts in my room on the wall, with Black Belt the main goal. Seeing progress has helped me stay focused, not quitting.”

“I’ve enjoyed learning the Black Belt life skills that can be used in life: perseverance, respect, focus, courage, confidence, integrity, honesty, patience, and discipline. These skills help me in everyday life, in other sports, at home, and in school,” Beckett shares passionately.

This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.