Summer kicked off with testing and belt promotion at the YMCA for students of Stevens Taekwondo Academy.
Achieving the rank of senior master black belt with a sixth degree black belt, Bill Dragolovich demonstrated advanced board breaking with a jump back spinning axe kick and then a back spinning side kick through two boards, in addition to several demonstration kicks. Dragolovich also gave an oral presentation based on the paper he submitted, comparing taekwondo to other martial arts. He performed the jitae form. Dragolovich has trained with the Stevens Taekwondo Academy since 1986, and was named black belt of the year in 2002.
Three other martial artists entered the black belt ranks as deputy black belt with strong testing performances of five taegeuk forms, advanced kick combos and sparring. Brian Hoch shattered a board with a back spinning hook kick, Gregg Hakomaki II snapped his board with a back spinning outside crescent kick, and Bri Tarpey broke her board with an axe kick.
Three color belts received trophies for their excellent performances in the testing. High yellow belt Matt Lopez won first place, new yellow belts and father-daughter duo Mike and Alida Richards earned second and third place.
Grandmaster Dwight Stevens and assistant instructor Mark Henkel judged the testing.
Achieving the rank of senior master black belt with a sixth degree black belt, Bill Dragolovich demonstrated advanced board breaking with a jump back spinning axe kick and then a back spinning side kick through two boards, in addition to several demonstration kicks. Dragolovich also gave an oral presentation based on the paper he submitted, comparing taekwondo to other martial arts. He performed the jitae form. Dragolovich has trained with the Stevens Taekwondo Academy since 1986, and was named black belt of the year in 2002.
Three other martial artists entered the black belt ranks as deputy black belt with strong testing performances of five taegeuk forms, advanced kick combos and sparring. Brian Hoch shattered a board with a back spinning hook kick, Gregg Hakomaki II snapped his board with a back spinning outside crescent kick, and Bri Tarpey broke her board with an axe kick.
Three color belts received trophies for their excellent performances in the testing. High yellow belt Matt Lopez won first place, new yellow belts and father-daughter duo Mike and Alida Richards earned second and third place. Grandmaster Dwight Stevens and assistant instructor Mark Henkel judged the testing.
Black Belt News
Mandi Hoppa stopped in at the YMCA workouts Thursday to greet old friends. Mandi is currently living in Arizona.
William Jenkins graduated this month from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis Maryland , receiving a bachelor’s degree in oceanography. He was commissioned as an ensign in the U. S. Navy. He begins studies for a masters in acoustical engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey California later this month, followed by the Navy Nuclear Power School and duty in submarines. Bill visited the YMCA workouts where he presented Dr. Stevens with a Navy cap to balance the Army cap which was part of the Christmas gifts.
Master Andrew Williams recently celebrated a bachelor gathering in Rudolph, hosted by Master John Henkel. Attending, in addition to Andrew’s brothers Dan and Mark, were Master Jim Henkel, Master Kevin Klapoetke, Master Justin Buehler and Jeff Lane. With weather ruling out volleyball, outdoor eating and paintball, the group enjoyed poker, food, movies and beverages, before touring several local beverage establishments, with the prospective groom in ball and chain.
Master Jim Henkel will be completing his defense of his doctoral research and paper in July and then moving to Bethesda, Maryland, where he will begin a research position at the Uniformed Services University.
William Jenkins graduated this month from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis Maryland , receiving a bachelor’s degree in oceanography. He was commissioned as an ensign in the U. S. Navy. He begins studies for a masters in acoustical engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey California later this month, followed by the Navy Nuclear Power School and duty in submarines. Bill visited the YMCA workouts where he presented Dr. Stevens with a Navy cap to balance the Army cap which was part of the Christmas gifts.
Master Andrew Williams recently celebrated a bachelor gathering in Rudolph, hosted by Master John Henkel. Attending, in addition to Andrew’s brothers Dan and Mark, were Master Jim Henkel, Master Kevin Klapoetke, Master Justin Buehler and Jeff Lane. With weather ruling out volleyball, outdoor eating and paintball, the group enjoyed poker, food, movies and beverages, before touring several local beverage establishments, with the prospective groom in ball and chain.
Master Jim Henkel will be completing his defense of his doctoral research and paper in July and then moving to Bethesda, Maryland, where he will begin a research position at the Uniformed Services University.
