On Sunday, Jan. 28, young Daniel Pellerito of Syosset, achieved one of the highest honors in martial arts as he earned his black belt at the latest Tiger Schulmann's Mixed Martial Arts black belt test at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. At six years old and after just two years of training, Pellerito ranks as one of the youngest Tiger Schulmann's students to ever receive black belt certification.

Pellerito began his journey at the age of four in the autumn of 2004 at his local Tiger Schulmann's Center in Plainview. Searching for something physical, structured and positive for her son, martial arts seemed like a natural fit to his mother Elizabeth, who explains his passion and dedication from his first month of training. "He's been consistent from the very beginning of his training. He didn't take any breaks and gradually trained harder and more often as he earned new belts." Training hard for this test over the past few months, Pellerito attended numerous martial arts training classes each week, along with special black belt prep classes and private instructor lessons.

"He prepared by training with older and bigger kids because there wasn't anyone at his level who could challenge him," Elizabeth continues. "There were tears, but he really worked hard and wanted it badly enough to pass this test on the first shot. His performance on test day truly defined 'mental and physical toughness' and a 'non-quitting spirit.' He had memorized the techniques, internalized the fundamental concepts and was completely in the zone."

Pellerito has also competed in numerous Tiger Schulmann's 'Challenge of Champions' events, taking home trophies in many of them. These events gave the young martial arts student valuable experience in a competitive setting, and also taught him to identify and strengthen his weaknesses.

His family attributes much of Pellerito's success and achievement to the staff at Tiger Schulmann's of Plainview. "Sensei Gravina, Joshu Levy and the other instructors really filled Daniel with determination and confidence, along with teaching him the mental side of training," expounds Mrs. Pellerito. "Joshu Levy was really great at being both fun and serious at the same time and relating to the kids." Young Pellerito would later advance to training with the school's most senior instructors, including Joshu Stout and Sensei Nick Gravina, who mentored the young student on other crucial aspects of martial arts, such as poise, confidence and putting the "mind-body connection" together.

"Daniel has always exemplified the 'non-quitting spirit' we teach," says instructor and mentor, Sensei Nicholas Gravina. "I refer to him as a prodigy because he is exactly that. He has the dedication and foresight of a true champion. I'm lucky to have him in my school and I look forward to a bright future for him in the martial arts."