Kyra Palma First Girl to Earn Black Belt at We Are Legends

Kyra Palma, who is 11 years old and from Stratford, earned her black belt in a private ceremony at We Are Legends Martial Arts and Fitness last month. Kyra is also the first girl to earn a black belt at the Blackwood martial arts school.

“It feels amazing to have my black belt,” Kyra said after the ceremony. “There were so many challenges to become a black belt, but I never gave up.”

Kyra was supposed to earn her black belt in April, but the COVID pandemic changed that. The Governor of NJ ordered non-essential businesses to close in mid-March. Kyra was half-way through her final black belt preparations when the Executive Order was issued.

That didn’t deter Kyra though. She continued her martial arts classes virtually, taking class nearly every day for almost four months.

“I’m so proud of Kyra and her dedication to earning her black belt,” Sensei Gary Brascetta said. “It isn’t easy to continue on when you’re faced with an obstacle. Yet, she did. She didn’t know when we would be able to finish her black belt preparations and have her ceremony, but she continued on even with all the uncertainty.”

When We Are Legends was able to re-open with limited in-person capacity in July, Kyra resumed her black belt preparations and prepared for her ceremony.

During a normal belt ceremony, students display all their knowledge and training to the audience, complete with sparring fellow students. But because of COVID, Kyra’s ceremony looked a bit different. Kyra was unable to spar or have fellow students join her on the mat, but Sensei still challenged her to show off all she knew.

After going through the 10 levels of her training and demonstrating the corresponding techniques, then shadow boxing, completing fitness drills and finally breaking five rounds of boards, Kyra was awarded her black belt.

Her parents, brother Rocco, and both sets of grandparents were there to support her.

“Watching Kyra test her mental and physical strength by working hard, not letting fatigue interfere, and recalling the multi-step combos was hard for me, but so exciting at the same time,” Stacey Palma, Kyra’s mom, said. “Watching her new belt be placed around her waist is always my favorite part of the ceremony, so watching her receive her black belt brought me such pride. I’ve watched Kyra grow into the confident, hardworking, and strong person that she is today.”

Kyra’s journey to black belt took over 3 years. She first started martial arts as an afterschool activity.

“Kyra was 7 when she started martial arts and she was nervous at first,” Stacey recalled. “She was especially nervous for her first belt test, when she was earning her yellow belt and had to break a board. I think that was her first experience at being successful on her own because all of her friends were in other activities. Since then she has repeatedly surprised me by pushing out of her comfort zone to try new activities. She pushes herself in school, and doesn't let fear overcome her.”