Nocturne
Do the Thing
The black belt test at Studio Naga is a 48-hour ordeal with no sleep. By the second night, students are running on pure adrenaline when they arrive to an unknown location blindfolded in the dark. Then, it's time to fight.
By Vanessa Lowe • • 39m ListenAt most martial arts schools, rising to the level of black belt requires a test that can take several hours. At Studio Naga, the black belt test is a 48-hour ordeal with no sleep. Students are running on pure adrenaline by the second night when they are blindfolded in the dark and taken toan unknown location. That's when it's time to fight.
The blindfold is removed, revealing a dark path with a flickering candle at the end. Along the way, attackers jump out from the shadows. The black-belt candidates muster all of their focus, courage and strength to find a way through.
Music: Nocturne theme music by Kent SparlingAdditional music: Kent Sparling \ Jeffrey Foster \ Kid Otter \ Amadinda Percussion Group
Producer: Vanessa LoweEpisode artwork: Robin Galante
Thanks to Louise Rafkin, blackbelts, Cally and Ben and everyone at Studio Naga for access to the school and all the testing events.