13-06-26 - Two New USKA Black Belts Earn Their Place in USKA History!

Today was another landmark day in the history of the USKA Fight Factory as not one, but two new USKA Black Belts were awarded following an exhaustive and demanding seven hour grading examination.

An USKA Black Belt is not awarded lightly. It is earned through years of commitment, sacrifice, discipline and perseverance. Candidates are required to demonstrate mastery of over 185 individual syllabus techniques, recalling and executing them instantly on command. They must show the ability to perform those techniques from both Orthodox and Southpaw stance, static and on the move, and seamlessly combine them into countless combinations and scenarios.

The grading itself culminates in an intense Fight Training assessment consisting of Shadow Boxing, Padwork, Bagwork and Sparring Drills, all performed when the candidates are already physically and mentally exhausted.

However, the grading day is only one part of the journey.

In the weeks leading up to the examination, candidates are required to demonstrate their coaching and leadership abilities by delivering an original warm up and stretch session to a live beginners class, before teaching fundamental techniques and combinations. They must also submit a comprehensive portfolio documenting their achievements within the sport, reflecting on what martial arts has taught them and outlining their future ambitions.

Then comes one of the most feared components of the entire process... the USKA Shark Tank.

A ten minute pressure test designed to challenge both body and mind. Candidates spar continuously without rest, facing a fresh opponent every minute across multiple disciplines including Kickboxing, Boxing, Low Kick and K-1. There is no warning of what style is coming next, only the expectation to adapt, perform and overcome.

This is where character is revealed.

And while USKA Black Belts have never been ordinary, today's candidates, Sumayya Griffith and Sami Kelly, were anything but ordinary themselves.

Sumayya Griffith – The Power of Discipline

Sumayya's journey to Black Belt began nearly sixteen years ago when she first stepped into the gym alongside her sister, Ruqayya.

By her own admission, nothing came easily.

She was never the athlete who picked things up instantly. Every punch, kick and defensive movement had to be earned through hard work, repetition and determination. While others often seemed naturally gifted, Sumayya quietly kept showing up, putting in the hours and trusting the process.

What she may have lacked in natural ability, she more than made up for with discipline.

And discipline is what separates those who dream from those who achieve.

Motivation comes and goes. Everyone feels motivated when things are going well. Discipline is what keeps you moving forward when things aren't going well. It is what gets you to training on the days you don't feel like it. It is what keeps you pursuing a goal when progress feels slow.

For nearly sixteen years, Sumayya embodied that mindset.

In preparation for this grading, she attended classes six days per week, worked one to one with Chief Instructor Neil Kelly three times per week and regularly stayed behind after classes to continue drilling combinations with her sister and Senior Instructor Ruqayya Griffith.

While many only see the result, very few see the sacrifices that create it.

Today, all of that work paid off.

After sixteen years of commitment, perseverance and unwavering belief, Sumayya reached the summit and can proudly call herself a USKA Black Belt.

Watch some footage of Sumayya's USKA Black Belt Grading here!

Sami Kelly – A Lifetime in the Dojo

For Sami Kelly, the journey began at just four years old on the USKA Ninja's programme.

For the past nineteen years, the gym has effectively been his second home.

Being the son of USKA Founder and Chief Instructor Neil Kelly undoubtedly brought its own pressures. Like many who grow up around a family legacy, Sami eventually had to answer an important question for himself:

"Am I doing this because I want to, or because it is expected of me?"

That question is a natural part of growing up and, at times, it led to periods where his focus and commitment fluctuated. However, what ultimately matters is not whether someone loses their way temporarily, but whether they find their way back.

And Sami did exactly that.

Now at nearly 23 years old, he has matured into the finest martial artist he has ever been.

For the past year, Sami has undertaken an intensive daily programme of one to one training sessions with his father, working to refine every technique to the highest possible standard. Alongside this, he has attended virtually every class at the gym and regularly trained multiple times per day in preparation for this examination.

His development as an instructor has also played a major role in his progression. Teaching techniques daily forces a deeper understanding of movement, mechanics and application, and this knowledge has elevated his own performance significantly.

Without reservation, we can say that Sami entered today's grading as the most thoroughly prepared candidates ever to attempt the USKA Black Belt examination.

Watch some footage of Sami's USKA Black Belt Grading here!

Rising to the Challenge

Throughout the grading, both candidates were tested physically, mentally and emotionally.

The standards were relentless.

We were not interested in whether they could perform techniques in ideal circumstances. We wanted to know whether they could perform under pressure, under fatigue and under scrutiny.

By the end of the day, that question had been answered emphatically.

Both candidates rose to the occasion and earned their place amongst the USKA Black Belt ranks.

Sumayya Griffith passed with an excellent score of 81% (Grade B).

Sami Kelly achieved an outstanding score of 97% (Grade A).

Their achievement carries even greater significance when placed into context.

In thirty years of USKA history, Sumayya and Sami become only the 11th and 12th USKA Black Belts ever awarded, and just the 8th and 9th Black Belts under the current syllabus.

That statistic alone speaks volumes about the standards required and the magnitude of what they have accomplished.

We are immensely proud of both of them.

Today marks the end of one chapter, but only the beginning of another.

The belts have been earned.