"Gup Test, Fall 2004" --  By Mr. Alex Redford, 1st Gup

This past weekend saw the jubilant completion of one of the smoothest PSMAG Gup tests I have ever attended. The test was held on Sunday afternoon at the North Atherton Core Fitness & Health, and was participated in by around 20 Gup students of almost every rank. Early on before the test began, Master Michael White decided on having the test be carried out in a more traditional manner, with all ranks participating in the same drill. In spite of this unexpected challenge, all participants, especially the white and orange belts, performed with the highest levels of vibrant enthusiasm and energy that I have ever witnessed during an exam. I was particularly impressed during the breaking phase of the exam, when two mid-rank gup students attempted, and successfully completed one-handed, one-board speed breaks–a break typically required for Cho Dan Bo – with such committed and focused energy (as well as stentorian ki-haps) that I could not help but smile. In the knowledge portion of the exam, consisting of multiple choice questions and a one-page essay, students scored an average of approximately 89%, with a median of approximately 95%! Dr. Susan Strohm, who wrote and proctored the written test, says she is considering revising the test to be more challenging.

Not only did every student demonstrate their required skills with strength, speed, control and coherence, but more impressive to me was that everyone, besides myself, was able to maintain this high level of performance throughout the entire test, something that has always been my number one problem in training. My last test, a year ago, ended in an embarrassing failure not more than half way through the initial drilling phase, when I was forced to step out due to intense nausea. Afterwards, as countless times before, my instructor, Mr. Scott Merrill, discussed with me how I hold my breath during exercise, and how my nervous mindset had led me to over-exert myself. Recently, I feel that I have finally started to overcome this malignant habit, though, I still have much to improve upon.

Respectfully submitted,
Alexander J.J. Redford
1st Gup