Anushka Dogra, of Ada, was 4 years old when she started tae kwon do.
When she earned a black belt at the age of 7, her instructor, Master Thomas Young Hoon Park, said "Many start at such a young age, but not many finish."
Now Anushka is 11 and she has passed the extensive tests to obtain the second degree.
The black belt comes after earning a white, yellow, orange, green, purple, senior purple, blue, senior blue, brown, senior brown, red, junior black and black first-degree belts.
It is a sign that the person is a "true professional practitioner," according to Park.
The black belts repeat themselves on levels known as dans or degrees. Each belt level requires an extensive test of skills, strength, endurance, technique, discipline, and an understanding of tae kwon do history.
"Most people after the first-degree black belt quit from tae kwon do school. Fortunately she didn't quit and kept training the last three and half years two or three times a week," Park said. "Surprisingly on April 4, she passed the second-degree black belt test at my school. This is a very unusual case and it is great news in the Grand Rapids area."
Normally in "tae kwon do world," said Park, a second-degree is an assistant instructor. And even though she is only 11, Anushka is ready to assume that role. "I would like to continue taking tae kwon do classes and spend time in my class, teaching other tae kwon do practitioners," she said. "My next goal is to be able to reach 3rd Dan and through that, explore the opportunity to be an instructor."
Anushka lives with her father Munish Dogra, mother Hema Dogra, and younger sister Aanya Dogra, who is 6. "Aanya," said mom, "is inspired by her sister and is also doing tae kwon do. She has a senior purple belt. At home both the sisters sometimes do sparring with each other as a fun activity, and Anushka helps her sister with techniques."
Anushka also loves to sing, play guitar, dance, swim, and spend time with friends, but she is passionate about pursuing tae kwon do, which means kicking (tae), punching (kwon) and way of life (do).
The achievements of the sixth-grader at Forest Hills Northern Trails have been "noticed" at school as well, said Principal Susan Gutierrez.
"During the recent 5/6 talent show, her petite frame wowed her classmates after she handed safety googles to her math and physical education teachers and snapped boards of lumber effortlessly," she said. "However, her achievements in the classroom also rank her at the top, particularly in mathematics. Her ability to work hard, persevere and take on difficult cognitive tasks and still be a friendly, conscientious classmate can only make me wonder what she'll choose to do with her many gifts in the future."
The final test for her latest accomplishment included 250 sit-ups, 500 push-ups, 1,000 jumping jacks, and 1,000 jump rope before the start of the skills assessment, demonstrating defensive and attacking techniques and tae kwon do forms for various levels.
Anushka, who attends the Black Belt Tae kwon do Academy in Kentwood, is now waiting for her official certificate from Kukkiwon, the World Tae kwon do Federation headquarters in South Korea.
"I have tried to research it and can't find anyone else in Michigan that has accomplished it," said her mother. "With both the parents working full-time, it was not easy to keep up with the tae kwon do routine. But as parents, we are extremely proud of her dedication and accomplishment. We are humbled, honored, and happy for the feat achieved by our 11 year old."