After three-and-a-half years of focused training, five Bodystrong Taekwon-do athletes earned the mark of black belt.

Larry Muckley and Jaden Rego earned their first black belts while John Golbeck, Troy Phipps and Trenton Phipps each advanced to second-degree black belt after successful testing on Jan. 21 at Bodystrong Taekwon-do in Sequim.

Golbeck, the oldest candidate at 61, received the award for “Best at Test.”

Each candidate performed a number of physical and mental challenges, including: five of 12 patterns they have learned to date (a set series of movements varying from 19-44 techniques); demonstration and knowledge of new techniques; demonstration of the self-defense application; competition sparring; breaking of wood and roof tiles; showcasing the power they have developed; and a written test based on the knowledge of the art, its techniques and philosophy, with an 80 percent pass standard.