Cut To The Chase: No, I Didn't Pass.

I got dinged for having my wrist bent back during the Turkish get-up portion of the testing. It's okay, though. More than okay, in fact, and here's why:

1. It demonstrates that the HKC is no rubber-stamp joke of a certification. The RKC is not in any way compromising its high standards in introducing this new certification. In fact, on my team I am aware of only 2 people out of 10 who passed. I'm hoping this gives much comfort to all my RKC friends who've worried about a dilution effect.

2. On a personal level it demonstrates that my hypermobile joints and unusual biomechanics are more of a problem than I thought. I've come a long way in improving my joint stability, but I have further to go if I want to reach my full potential as an athlete. I'm very glad to find this out now so I can get to work fixing the problem.

3. My failure to maintain a straight wrist is the only reason I didn't pass. Everything else was good enough. There were no problems with my swings and goblet squats, and everything else about my TGU passed muster as well. How many people out there can say that Geoff Neupert, Master RKC, thinks them competent in the swing and goblet squat?

4. This is only a temporary setback. To get my HKC I must send in a video of myself performing the TGU with a perfectly straight wrist, and I must do that within 3 months. I can do that ... and if for some reason that doesn't work out, I will go to another HKC. Dragon Door plans to offer 100 of them over the next year, and one of them is sure to be in San Francisco.

5. Attending the HKC has given me a much better understanding of what the RKC is all about, and for whom it is appropriate. I'm very glad to know that before committing myself to a grueling and, frankly, costly educational path that ultimately may not be the best choice for my clients. Or it may; I am very much on the fence here. More on that later.