Ennis boy belts it out
On Saturday, Christian Durbin, 12, of Ennis successfully completed examination requirements for his 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo.
Durbin, who has studied under Jackie Self, a 4th Degree Black Belt, at the Ennis Black Belt Academy for seven years, had previously earned the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt in April 2005.
Durbin’s examination was conducted at the American Black Belt Academy in Arlington during the 35th Annual Black Belt Examinations. The examining board consisted of seven Masters (5th Degree or higher). Presiding over the test were Grandmaster Roy Kurban, 8th Degree Black Belt and founder of the American Black Belt Academy, and Grandmaster Won Chik Park, 9th Degree Black Belt and founder of the Won Park Institute of Taekwondo in Ft. Worth.
Durbin was required to submit a resume of his Taekwondo training and accomplishments as well as complete a rigorous demonstration of katas, fighting and board breaking.
With the status he reached this past weekend, the young man becomes one of the youngest 2nd Degree Black Belts certified by the United States Grandmasters Society. Durbin is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Durbin and the grandson of Conway and Susan Childers and Vernon Durbin, all of Ennis.






