By Cynthia Scott

Chris Kotys is fond of saying, ìthe family that kicks together sticks together.î

Kotys is a teacher of tae kwon do at Sun Yiís Academy in North Branch, where it is commonplace for parents and kids to take instruction together in the Korean martial art.

Whatís not as commonplace is the achievement of one North Branch family, who earlier this year completed their dream of achieving 1st degree black belt.

Kevin Wishon and his children Josh and Angie each now wear the coveted belt, which signifies basic proficiency in the 2000-year-old martial art (see sidebar).

It takes about two years to attain first degree black belt, according to Kotys. Thatís two years of attending instruction at least twice a week ñ the rule of thumb is that a student needs lessons at least twice a week to learn and three times a week to improve his or her skills. As testing for the black belt approaches, itís common to attend class five or six times a week.

Additionally, it requires practicing moves at home every day. In other words, itís a huge commitment ñ with equally huge tradeoffs, according to the Wishons.

ìI never thought Iíd make black belt,î Kevin admitted. ìWhen I first started I watched other students and said Iíll never be able to do that. I was very uncoordinated when I first started.î

Kevin said practicing tae kwon do has helped his chronic back pain in addition to improving his endurance and flexibility.
Unlike his dad, Josh had his sights set on black belt from day one.

ìWhen I first started I watched the black belts and said, ìthatís going to be me one day.íî

Angie wasnít as certain as Josh about whether or not sheíd be able to earn a black belt.

ìMy goal was to work really hard for it and I would try to improve from when I first started,î she said. As it turns out, Angie fell in love with the sport, and her goal now is to open her own academy.

Mom Dani is the only member of the family who doesnít do tae kwon do, but she has been supportive of her husband and children every step of the way.

ìI could do [all the moves] but I could never test,î she said. Indeed, testing can be a daunting prospect: it takes place at the academy of Master Eddie Gibson in Forest Lake, where the student is required to perform his or her routine, self defense moves and free sparring technique in front of Masters Gibson and Rohleder and occasionally guest judges in addition to family, friends and other black belts.

Josh and Angieís great grandmother, Daniís grandmother Jean Wyne of White Bear Lake, joins Dani to watch every single test. ìThe support she gives these kids is just unbelievable,î Dani said.

Josh was the first member of the family to try tae kwon do.

ìI always watched Jackie Chan and I wanted to be like him,î he said. Angie, in turn, saw how much Josh enjoyed the sport and she started instruction four months after he did. Two months later Kevin joined.

In October last year Josh became the first of the three to earn his black belt. Angie followed in February of this year, and Kevin in April.

Last year as well, the three competed in the national tourney in Topeka, Kan. All three won trophies, with Angie grabbing two first place finishes, Josh and first and a second, and Kevin two seconds.

Kotys noted that each of the three brings something different to the sport.

ìJosh continues to demonstrate great leadership and excellent knowledge of effective self-defense skills. Angie has an indomitable spirit that sets her above most other martial artists. Kevin understands the value of consistency in his practice as well as balancing family responsibilities.î

Kevin, Josh and Angie continue to train for the next level. Pam Kotys, an instructor at Sun Yiís, said that a student really is just beginning once he or she earns a black belt; becoming a master is a lifelong pursuit.

And so the familyís continues to kick together and stick together. Becoming immersed so deeply has required an expenditure not just of time, but money as well. But thatís OK as far as Dani is concerned.

ìItís somewhat of a sacrifice, but what price can you put on the family time and the physical benefits?î she asked.

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About tae kwon do

Tae kwon do (pronounced tie kwahn doe) is a Korean martial art that emphasizes self defense, kicks, punches, respect and discipline.
Sun Yiís Academy of Traditional Tae Kwon Do, which has a school in North Branch and Forest Lake, was founded by Grand Master Chae Sun Yi and is headquartered in Topeka, Kan.

Different colored belts are used to indicate the student's level of skill. A beginnerís belt is white. A student advances to the next color by demonstrating his or her ability to perform certain moves and techniques.

The last color belt that can be earned is black. Within the black belt there are nine levels, or degrees, of mastery, which take years to attain.

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