Hundreds of weeks of steady, disciplined practice, training and studying – physically and mentally – over the past four years resulted in two members of the Selma Karate Academy earning their Cho Dan, their first degree Black Belt on Dec. 18.

Sam Thames and Lincoln Jones earned the coveted Black Belt, after completing tests in Tang Soo Do moves, as well as a written test and essay.

“I am so proud of Sam and Lincoln for reaching this level in martial arts,” said Sister Kathy Navarra, S.S.J., a Sunim Sa Bom Nim, Fifth Degree black belt master who also coordinates the after-school ACT program for the Edmundite Missions.

“They worked hard and are an inspiration to their classmates to keep going.”

Hundreds of weeks of steady, disciplined practice, training and studying – physically and mentally – over the past four years resulted in two members of the Selma Karate Academy earning their Cho Dan, their first degree Black Belt on Dec. 18.

Thames and Jones passed through 10 levels of achievement before reaching their goal, beginning with a white belt, then earning yellow, orange, orange with a stripe, green, green with stripe, brown, brown with stripe, red and deep blue.

Selma Karate Academy is part of the Atlantic Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation and Foundation, which provides some funds for students who cannot afford karate. It teaches more than self defense; it also emphasizes discipline, respect, self control and focus, Navarra said.

“We teach values like humility, integrity, concentration, respect, obedience which go back thousands of years. All are vital to living an honorable life,” she said.

Thames, who works at the Downtowner, said he has been interested in martial arts since he was a child. He began studying three years ago after finding Navarra’s class. The Selma native served in the military, assigned to 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.

Jones, a student at R.B. Hudson, has attended the twice-weekly karate classes with his father, Keith, for over four years.