Knoch graduate R.J. Makowski earns master instructor status at taekwondo championships

When R.J. Makowski began his pursuit of taekwondo master instructor status one year ago, he initially thought it would be a similar feeling to when he achieved his six black belt degrees in the Korean martial art.

But when the owner of Makowski Martial Arts in Sarver reached the final step of his journey and was promoted to master instructor July 10 at the American Taekwondo Association International World Championships in Little Rock, Ark., the feeling toward the achievement, he said, was different.

“Martial arts is all about goal setting and accomplishments and achieving those goals and that mission,” Makowski said.

“When I was about 18, I realized that each black belt degree and also master instructor status were things I wanted to shoot for. Going through the process to reach each step, you think, ‘This is what I have to do to get there.’ But going through the ceremony that we have and being bestowed that masters title, I came to understand there is a change. I was crossing over this threshold into a new sense of myself. It’s a new yoke of responsibility knowing that I am not only representing myself and my students but to the organization as a whole.”

Makowski, 33, a Knoch graduate, achieved his sixth-degree black belt in 2017 by performing specific advanced patters of techniques, sparring with multiple patterns and achieving multiple board breaks with both kicks and hand strikes.

Reaching that degree put him in position as a master instructor candidate and set in motion a year-long training regimen of preparation that led to his nomination.

Makowski said there were a number of checkmarks and prerequisites, both mental and physical, he had to achieve during the months of preparation that led to his promotion.

“The founder of the organization took those steps, so everyone follows in his footsteps,” he said. “There are traditions involved.”

Makowski began to review and retest all he had learned from achieving his first white belt all the way to his sixth black belt. He showed his fitness level and how he had maintained his knowledge of the art.

He met the other candidates for master instructor status at a training session near Las Vegas. Among the challenges was a endurance hike and mountain climb in Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon.

“We were able to create a social network and brotherhood with the other candidates and develop a sense of camaraderie,” Makowski said. “You realize that you’re not there to prove anything but more to support each other.”

He completed his final days of training in Little Rock. He conducted a three-day fast where he consumed only water and participated in a day-long physical martial arts workout that included sparring, combat weapons, fitness testing and a combination of kicks, strikes, stretching and other physical challenges.

“You’re mind is mentally sharp and capable of picking up on a technique coming at you a little quicker,” he said. “You feel like you are driving somebody else’s body because you’re body’s slow because you haven’t eaten.”

Makowski said he appreciated all the support he received during his journey to master instructor status.

“A lot of times, I stay inside my own head and throw a lot on my own back,” Makowski said.

“But the outpouring of support and kindness of so many individuals, from family members to friends, while going for this title was overwhelming. People that I started instructing when we opened 15 years ago, I still think about them, but to know they were still thinking about me was very touching.

Makowski said many of his friends tuned into a live Facebook stream of the ceremony, created a group chat and messaged him words of congratulations.

“I didn’t realize that so many people would put in the time to experience this with me,” he said.

There are four levels of taekwondo mastership. One can become a senior master upon reaching seventh-degree black belt status and then chief master at eighth degree and grand master at ninth.

Makowski said he should test for seventh degree in 2023.

“Now that I have my white silk uniform, I put that on, but I see the guys in their blues who are seventh degrees and the ones in red who are eighth degrees and the ones in black who are ninth degrees,” Makowski said. “I start to think toward the next step. I don’t want to lose sight of what I just achieved, but I am also looking to the future and the next goal.”